Clinical Support Worker – Critical Care Unit
37.5 Hours per week (Days, Weekends, Nights and Bank Holidays)
Fixed term for 18 months (Secondment cover)
This role is not eligible for sponsorship.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community.
Main duties of the job
* The Critical Care Clinical Support Worker will function at a higher competency level than other Health Care Support Workers with responsibility for actively participating as part of the multi‑disciplinary team within the Critical Care Unit and as part of the Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) under the supervision of the Senior Nurse.
* It is anticipated that this role will continue to develop through the acquisition of further skill, knowledge and competence to be determined within the Critical Care and CCOT.
Job responsibilities
* Assist in the care of a group of patients each shift under the supervision of a registered nurse delivering personal and clinical care to include:
o Personal care, hygiene and elimination
o Nutritional needs
o Skin and pressure area care
o Patient chaperone
* Assist in the delivery of clinical care and associated activities in line with appropriate standards and guidelines.
* To promote and safeguard the well‑being of patients, their families and colleagues.
* Document care given in patients' care‑plan and ensure this is countersigned by a registered nurse.
* To use accurate, clear and concise documentation written or electronically.
* Use personal effectiveness and knowledge to contribute to the development and delivery of a high‑quality, cost‑effective service.
* Within the remit of your role and under supervision contribute to the planning and completion of holistic assessments (not primary assessments) ensuring all care activities / assessments are clearly recorded and documented.
* Understand care planning and participate in nursing interventions as delegated by a registered Nurse / Practitioner.
* Liaise and work with all members of the multi‑disciplinary team understanding their roles.
* Anticipate the needs of the patients to ensure comfort, safety and dignity always.
* Participate in the daily handover and meetings.
* Maintain all aspects of confidentiality regarding patients, relatives and colleges.
* Have a responsibility for the tidiness and promoting cleanliness of all patient areas, including equipment rooms and storerooms, and take appropriate care of furniture and equipment.
* Ensure beds and equipment are properly cleaned between patient use.
* To undertake an agreed range of additional non‑clinical activities specific to Critical Care.
Clinical
* With appropriate training the Clinical Support Worker will gain skills, knowledge and competence to undertake / perform the following:
o Record, document and report the following as appropriate to the clinical area.
o Temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturations
o Completion of NEWS documentation and escalation and report results to appropriate registered nurse / practitioner
o Patient track
o Blood sugar recordings obtained by capillary sampling.
o Completing & totalling 24‑hour fluid balance charts and assisting in continence management.
o Adult catheterisation
o Removal of urinal catheters
o Venepuncture
o Cannulation
o ECG
o Blood collection
o Care of a patient with a nasogastric tube or PEG tube in situ (must not aspirate the tube or commence any enteral feeding regime).
* To undertake an agreed range of additional clinical skills in line with defined competencies / protocols specific to Critical Care.
* Support / chaperone patients before, during and after clinical procedures, treatments and investigations.
Communication Skills
* To work as a member of the Critical Care Team, establishing effective communication networks across the multi‑disciplinary team and wards and departments across the Trust and with patients and carers.
* To establish professional relationships with patients and carers, communicating in ways which respect views, beliefs and culture and being aware of own response to distressing circumstances.
* To report to the Senior Nurse on duty in a timely way giving information relating to all work activity and identifying significant changes in relation to direct patient care and treatment plans.
* To act as a patient advocate.
* To have an awareness of the triggers and processes for incident reporting, safeguarding concerns and wider governance issues and be able to escalates to the Senior Nurse on duty.
Education, Training and Information
* To maintain professional standards in agreed range of clinical and non‑clinical activities specific to Critical Care, maintaining and updating skills and knowledge as per Trust policy.
* To work at all times within the boundaries of competence, at no time undertaking activities that have not been previously agreed.
* To be aware of own individual learning needs and seek appropriate support.
* To participate in the appraisal process.
* To keep up to date with Statutory and mandatory training (CSFT).
* Analytical and judgemental skills.
* To be able to prioritise, plan and organise own clinical workload as delegated by the senior Nurse on duty.
* Be able to recognise the unwell, deteriorating patient and seek help and refer to the most appropriate Registered Practitioner.
Administration Support
* To access and obtain the results of patient investigations i.e. haematology and biochemistry.
* To be responsible for specific audit activity as agreed with the Critical Care Matron including personal identifiable data i.e. patient satisfaction questionnaires, venous access audits.
* Be able to demonstrate the use of Information Technology to support practice.
* Resources and Management of Equipment.
* To ensure that specific equipment is well‑maintained, stored appropriately and is compliant with PAT testing and Health & Safety requirements.
* To liaise with EBME as necessary.
* To ensure maintenance of agreed levels of stock and participate in the procurement and ordering process.
Relationships
* The post holder will be responsible to the Matron for Critical Care and will need to work as an effective member of the wider multi‑disciplinary team both in Critical Care and throughout the Trust.
Special Requirements
* The post holder will be expected to frequently exert moderate physical effort for short periods on a shift when undertaking clinical duties and should expect to be frequently exposed to highly unpleasant conditions and bodily fluids e.g. faeces, vomit, blood and urine when working clinically in the ward area with staff.
* The post holder will also be expected to participate in weekend working, night shift and long days working on an e‑roster basis.
* The post holder will be frequently exposed to distressing / emotional situations during the course of a shift whilst delivering patient care.
Benefits
On‑site nursery, 27 days minimum annual leave plus bank holidays, cycle to work scheme, flexible working, extensive in‑house course learning directory, buying and selling of annual leave, subsidised restaurant, tranquillity garden and generous subsidised on‑site parking.
Person Specification
Experience and Knowledge
* 18 months experience in acute care / hospital setting
* Experience of working in more than one area/discipline within the clinical environment/setting clinical environment/setting
* Understanding of basic physiology, e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance nutritional requirements etc.
* Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi‑disciplinary team
* Knowledge and experience of providing person centred care
* Knowledge and understanding of the 6C's of nursing
* Understand the physiological, psychological and social needs of patients and their families
* Venepuncture and Cannulation
Qualification and Professional Training
* Care Certificate
* GCSE Maths Grades A‑C, Levels 4‑9, Functional Skills Level 2
* GCSE English Grades A‑C, Levels 4‑9, Functional Skills Level 2
* Evidence of CPD
* NVQ / Diploma Level 3 Clinical Healthcare / Health & Social Care / Level 3 Healthcare related qualification
Skills and Abilities
* IT Skills - can use computer, email, word
* Able to perform a range of clinical skills / competencies
* Knowledge and understanding of Trusts EXCEL values and Compact Agreement
* Good written and verbal communication skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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