Health care support worker

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• assist individuals in maintaining personal hygiene, grooming and dressing needs, ensuring privacy and dignity at all times and with due respect for cultural and religious requirements,
• Contribute to a therapeutic environment to aid patient rest and sleep.
• Contribute to the prevention of pressure area damage. Within limits of competence, utilise appropriate risk assessment tools and prescribed pressure-relieving equipment appropriately as per Trust guidelines.
• Assist and support patients with elimination as required. Maintain accurate fluid balance and elimination records.
• Contribute to the safe admission, transfer and discharge of patients, in accordance with Trust policies.
• Contribute to the performance of effective and timely discharge planning where appropriate.
• Contribute to implementation and evaluation of the plan of care for wound management as directed by a registered practitioner.
• Contribute to ensuring appropriate nutritional intake of all patients with due consideration to dietary and cultural needs. Within limits of competence and where delegated, undertake nutritional screening as per protocol, referring to registered practitioner as appropriate.
• Within limits of competence, undertake and record accurately a range of patient physiological observations as required in clinical area. These may include (but are not wholly inclusive of) measurement of temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, urinalysis, early warning scores, oxygen saturation levels, electrocardiography, blood glucose measurement.
• Recognise and take appropriate, prompt action when recording adverse physiological observations
• Within sphere of responsibility and competence, obtain requested specimens and ensure timely transportation to the appropriate department.
• Participate in and assist with basic and intermediate cardio-pulmonary resuscitation procedures
• Ensure appropriate medicines management commensurate with the role of the HCSW and under supervision of the registered practitioner, following Trust and legal frameworks at all times.
• Undertake a range of procedures relevant to clinical sphere of responsibility and within limits of competence. These may include (but are not wholly inclusive of) venepuncture, simple wound care management, removal of skin closures, bowel and bladder care, passive movements.
• Contribute to preparation, maintenance and appropriate utilisation of clinical equipment, instruments and materials in support of safe clinical care delivery.