Job overview
Post Summary
The Healthcare Assistant (HCA) works under the supervision of designated qualified nurses, assisting the nurses in meeting the patient’s physical and psychological needs and carries out some clerical, administrative and housekeeping duties.
The HCA works as an extension of the multi-disciplinary team and will care for the patients by carrying out assigned tasks in direct and indirect patient care. A key function of the role is to support the work of the qualified nurse and to fully participate in the care and therapy offered on the ward and the promotion of person centred care.
Patients within Whittington Hospital are given the upmost priority. The post holder will be employed to work on Ifor children’s ward but may be required to work in another ward or department if required.
Main duties of the job
Carry out assigned tasks including direct patient care in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse.
Work as part of the ward team under the supervision of registered nurses, participating in the delivery of patient care. Be self-motivated and able to use your initiative.
Act as an advocate for child and family at all times.
Facilitate family centred care and provide information and support to families to enable them to continue to care for their child during a period of illness and hospitalisation.
Treat patients and families with dignity, respect and discretion whilst maintaining their confidentiality.
Be aware of the emotional and physical needs of children whilst in hospital and provide appropriate support in conjunction with and under the supervision of a qualified nurse.
Be aware of and help to facilitate the needs of the families / carers.
Ensure that the patients’ personal hygiene requirements are met. This will include washing babies and children, assisting children that are unable to get out of bed to have a wash.
Ensure that children’s toilet’s needs are met, measuring urine and weighing nappies as required. Record children’s output on the fluid balance chart.
Undertake record and report observations on patients including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturations and Paediatric Early Warning Score.
Working for our organisation
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Perform routine urine testing, record results and report any abnormalities.
Escort patients to other departments throughout the hospital.
Support patients/families with language barriers to ensure effective communication. Arrange interpreters as appropriate.
Ensure that children receive an adequate nutritional and well balance diet. Assisting with the serving of children’s meals and drinks and providing appropriate assistance to those children who may require it.
Undertake nasogastric or other enteral tube feeds as required.
Bottle/spoon feed babies as required.
Make up infant formula feeds as required.
Assess feeding requirements and liaise with dietician, breastfeeding counsellor and speech and language therapist as required.
Take weight/height of children as requested.
Maintain nursing records in accordance with Trust policy
Complete admission paperwork and care plans, asking nursing staff for assistance as required.
Ensure all written documentation is clear, legible and signed. All entries must be checked and counter-signed by a qualified nurse. Complete care plans, fluid charts and observation charts under the supervision of a qualified nurse.
To be able to communicate effectively with patients, families and members of the multidisciplinary team as well as other Trust staff and the general public.
To answer the phone clearly and politely stating the ward name and who you are. Relate all messages promptly and accurately.
Monitor, record and report pain and distress in patients.
Report any accidents or incidents according to Trust Policy.
Making and cleaning of beds and cots.
Undertake cleaning of patient equipment, storage areas, lockers and nursery furniture.
Change bed linen as required. Beds, lockers bed tables and general clinical areas to be cleaned thoroughly when patients are discharged or transferred.
Maintain the general tidiness, cleanliness and neatness of all ward areas, being aware of safety requirements.
Perform errands to meet patient’s clinical requirements.
Report any faulty or broken items of equipment, furniture and fittings
Follow all Trust Policies and Clinical procedures at all times.
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Good level of general education
Desirable criteria
2. Food hygiene
3. training in health care
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
4. Good organisational skills
5. Good written and verbal communication skills in the English language.
6. Able to communicate effectively with children and families
7. Experience of caring for children and babies
8. Able to work both under supervision and independently using own initiative
9. Able to successfully complete required training programmes
10. Ability to work as part of team
11. Ability to prioritise workload
Desirable criteria
12. Experience of working in a health care setting
13. Basic computer and IT skills
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
14. Knowledge of personal care needs of infants and children and related procedures
15. Knowledge of the normal needs of children and families
16. Awareness of normal child behaviour and development
17. Understanding of the need for confidentiality and the Data Protection Act
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential criteria
18. Flexible, Calm Interest in children and young people
19. enthusiastic, honest and reliable
20. Tactful and compassionate
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS
To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:
21. Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
22. Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
23. Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
24. Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
25. Participate in required training and supervision.
26. Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct
Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.