Health Care Support Worker - Elective Surgery (Band 2)
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
1. Assist with the service of meals and support patients who may need assistance with eating and drinking in line with their care plan.
2. Assist with the safe moving, handling, and mobilisation of patients, ensuring that care plans are followed to minimise risk.
3. Communicate effectively with kindness, warmth, and compassion, recognising barriers to communication where support may be required.
4. Act as a patient and staff advocate, escalating concerns and challenging poor behaviour or practice appropriately.
5. Maintain accurate records of care within the area of responsibility.
6. Observe and report any changes in a patient's condition to the Nurse in Charge.
7. Involve patients and carers/relatives in the delivery of care and provide reassurance and support.
8. Support the maintenance and cleanliness of the clinical environment, including unpacking and storage of stock deliveries, and support cleaning responsibilities as per the National Cleaning Standards framework.
9. Assist with patient movement and treatment to achieve physical comfort and minimise pressure effects.
10. Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and minimise disruptive or abusive behaviour.
11. Answer the telephone and relay messages appropriately.
12. Support administrative functions in the absence of administrative support, as directed by the nurse in charge.
13. Develop own skills and knowledge, contribute to the development of others, and assist with the induction of new Health Care Support Workers once experienced.
14. Recognise and respond to urgent and emergency situations appropriately.
15. Ensure the effective use of resources and contribute ideas to cost improvement programs.
16. Report incidents, concerns, complaints, or accidents, completing adverse incident forms as required.
17. Participate in team, ward, or department meetings.
18. Support the psychological and emotional wellbeing of patients, carers, and families.
Clinical Duties
1. Support the delivery of end-of-life care and care of the deceased, supporting registered nurses as needed.
2. Attend training on equipment and devices, report faulty equipment promptly.
3. Record patient information, such as fluid balance, food intake, stool, and physiological observations (vital signs).
4. Support the use of equipment, including blood pressure monitors, thermometers, and oxygen saturation devices.
5. Support patients in completing ward menus and accompany them to other departments as appropriate.
6. Assist with procedures such as removing cannulas, applying dressings, and emptying drainage bags, following infection control precautions.
7. Participate in regular patient checks, ensuring patient comfort, skin integrity, and recognising changes in condition.
8. Order equipment as directed, complete property checklists, and undertake physiological observations, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respirations, and oxygen saturations.
9. Calculate and report abnormal NEWS scores, collect specimens, and support activities to promote patient wellbeing and recovery.
10. Participate in audit activities and act as a chaperone during intimate cares and examinations.
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