We have an opportunity to join the Staffing Bank at Bedfordshire Hospitals to cover on both sites – Bedford and Luton & Dunstable. Because of our unique position, Bedford and Luton has a great community spirit and working environment and can provide a great platform for you to continue to grow as a professional. Bank staff play an integral role in covering temporary shortfalls in staffing which helps to maintain the high standards of patient care and efficient administrative work we seek and provide at Bedfordshire Hospital. Working for the Bank can offer you fantastic levels of flexibility even for those whose two days are never the same. As part of the Bank you receive all the induction and mandatory training as you would if you were full time, it’s also a great way to showcase your skills should you want to go permanent with us in the future.
As a bank clinical support worker you will be a valued member of the team and support our nurses to look after our patients. You will be involved in a variety of duties such as bathing, toileting and the monitoring of patient observations.
Under the direction of a registered nurse/nursing associate, work with all members of the multidisciplinary team to contribute to high standards of care delivery through provision of personal care and limited delegated clinical care duties. Bank clinical support workers cover staffing gaps across all general wards and assist with some clinics. You may have the opportunity to expand your skills and work in paediatrics or the emergency department. We encourage our bank staff to participate in the Care Certificate scheme. As a vital member of our team, we know that you are often the first person our patients talk with and trust. We want to be able to support you in this role and help you develop. If you can show empathy and understanding whilst maintaining patients self‑respect and dignity, we would like to hear from you. Previous experience of working in a health care setting would be an advantage but not essential. The shift pattern includes a variety of shifts, including long days, long nights, weekends and public holidays.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical
1. To accurately and promptly carry out tasks delegated by the registered nurse/nursing associate who is professionally accountable for the delivery of care.
2. To provide personal care to patients who require varying degrees of assistance. Personal care includes washing, mouth care, eye care, hair care, toileting, feeding and dressing.
3. Under the direction of a registered nurse/nursing associate and following training and completion of any competency requirements provide a range of delegated clinical duties:
o a. Physiological observation monitoring
o b. Fluid intake and output
o c. Skin checks and risk assessments
o d. ECG recording
o e. Point‑of‑care testing; including but not exhaustive of blood glucose, ketones, pregnancy, urinalysis.
o f. Venepuncture
o g. Peripheral cannulation
o h. Obtaining swabs and specimens
o i. Record keeping, including risk assessments and documentation of care delivered
o j. Any other limited clinical duties for your clinical area of work as directed by your line manager
4. To only undertake duties relevant to your level of competence that you have received appropriate training and/or have been deemed competent by an authorised Registered Nurse/Midwife/Nursing Associate as per Trust guidelines.
5. To assess patient condition through observations / test results, assess patient comfort and report any concerns in behaviour or in clinical condition to the registered nurse/nursing associate.
6. To ensure that all documentation is countersigned by the registered nurse/nursing associate, ensuring confidentiality at all times.
7. To be aware of own role when dealing with medical emergencies, responding appropriately to ensure the patient receives appropriate care.
8. To be aware of the Trust’s policies, guidelines and procedures for all undertaken tasks.
9. To participate in the admission of patients, ensuring that they are orientated to time and place and responding to any questions or concerns that they have.
10. To maintain and clean and tidy the clinical environment for both staff and patients.
11. To provide support to patients pre, during and post procedures, under the direction of a registered nurse/nursing associate/Dr.
12. To prepare equipment for department based procedures, under the direction of a registered nurse/nursing associate/Dr.
13. To chaperone/escort patients during procedures or to different clinical environments following a risk assessment from the registered nurse/nursing associate.
14. To support relatives and carers by answering questions within their scope of practice and experience, escalating to a registered nurse/nursing associate as required.
15. To assist in the discharge process under the guidance of the registered nurse/nursing associate.
16. To follow infection prevention and control advice and practices to minimise the spread of infection.
17. To ensure waste is disposed of appropriately.
18. To support patients at times of distress, addressing their concerns and using de‑escalation techniques if required.
Communication
1. To welcome patients, carers and visitors to the clinical area, proving support and information as required. Recognising the potential barriers to communication and working with the patient/carers/visitors to minimise these.
2. To answer the telephone in a polite manner and when required passing enquiries to the registered nurse/nursing associate.
3. Generally communicate in a way that is kind, compassionate and empathetic to both staff and patient that demonstrates the Trust’s THRIVE values.
4. Communicate effectively with other team members to ensure that care is coordinated and handover is seamless.
5. To contribute to handover of patients under the supervision of the registered nurse/nursing associate.
6. Report incidents, accidents or complaints to the registered nurse/nursing associate.
7. Use the Trust computer systems required by the clinical area.
#J-18808-Ljbffr