Healthcare Assistant

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical:

1. Assists with the care of patients by:

• Participating in basic nursing care and procedures by providing personal care to patients, responding to nurse call as required.
• Assisting patients in gaining access to, and in the use of, appropriate toilet facilities including catheter care, measuring and recording bodily waste/fluid balance accurately.
• Assisting in meeting the nutritional needs of patients by assisting in the preparation of patients prior to meals and beverages, giving help and assistance in feeding/drinking as necessary.  Support nutritional monitoring by weighing patients.
• Assist, direct and escort patients/visitors where and when appropriate.
• Ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients and escalating any concerns.
• Recording accurate fluid balance
• Handling patient’s personal possessions, ensuring money and valuables are kept securely.
• Enhanced care observation as appropriate
• Support the team in ensuring that patients receive basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation as required

2. Complete all appropriate documentation relevant to care provided and update patient’s named nurse / shift coordinator where required.
3. Assist patients in maintaining their personal hygiene (inc. skin assessments), grooming and dressing needs with specific concern for their religious, cultural and personal preference, ensuring privacy and dignity at all times. Undertake oral hygiene procedures for patients as per trust protocol.
4. Assist patients in their mobility requirements, help move and position appropriately to maximise their physical comfort utilising equipment as directed by the multi professional team. Assist in the care of patients’ pressure areas and prevention of pressure ulcers.
5. Assist in meal service as required in line with Trust hygiene and food handling policy, covering hostess role as required.
6. At the delegation of the Registered Nurse transfer the patient/client from one care area to another, i.e. other ward or department. Chaperone the patient as required ensuring appropriate support.
7. Welcome and orientate patients, visitors and others to the ward/department and ensure that all communications result in effective customer care.
8. Assist in the correct procedure of duties relating to last offices for deceased persons. Ensure that all religious and cultural wishes, obligations are adhered with.
9. Communicate well within the team at all times. Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and help create and promote a good team working relationship. Proactively help patients and carers to take an active role in care delivery.

Clinical Support:

1. Assist with the admission of patients, and during their stay, by undertaking screening swabs, taking and labelling of pathology samples, excluding bloods.
2. Assist the Registered Nurse in the process of undertaking clinical risk assessments e.g. recording height and weight, updating the nurse on any changes to a patient’s condition/circumstances. Responsibility for undertaking the risk assessments lies with the Registered Nurse.
3. Appropriately record and monitor dietary intake of patients, informing relevant staff of progress and/or any difficulties relating to dietary/fluid intake.
4. Assist in providing conditions to meet the patient’s need for rest and sleep.
5. Actively support and assist in alleviating distress and anxiety of patients or carers, consistent with their personal beliefs and preferences.
6. Record patient’s items of property in the ward property and valuables book, ensuring valuables are correctly placed into safekeeping.
7. Prepare trolleys for specific clinical procedures in line with trust policy utilising aseptic non touch technique practices.
8. Recognise and report abusive or inappropriate behaviour to an appropriate member of staff, documenting the same.

Environment Support:

1. Be responsible for self and others through identifying risks and undertaking work activities in a safe manner.
2. Maintain cleanliness in the work environment, ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients, adhering to infection prevention control policies and guidance in line with Trust health and safety policies.
3. Prepare and maintain environments for clinical procedures.
4. Undertake cleaning of equipment/environment as per Trust policy, including drip stands / suction points etc.
5. Participates in maintaining overall cleanliness of ward areas and follows schedules and procedures for the ward around room cleaning.
6. To check the ward linen stock is adequate until the next due delivery, in the absence of a housekeeper. Contribute in the supply and maintenance of materials and equipment to ensure the efficient running of the clinical environment.
7. Ensure patient beds linen is changed daily as a minimum. Participate in ensuring that the bed space and associated equipment is cleaned and checked upon patient discharge. Ensure patients receive clean towels daily.  Collect full bags of soiled linen and move to collection points.
8. Assist with the checking and recording of deliveries to the clinical areas against original orders. Ensure stock rotation is undertaken to minimise the risk of equipment becoming out of date.
9. Assist in the transfer of materials and equipment as requested, including the maintenance of equipment as appropriate.
10. Report faults on the ward as necessary.
11. Reports all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy to shift coordinator or senior staff.
12. Contributes to the continuous improvement of services
13. Undertake all training required to perform duties effectively to the requirements of the post, including but not limited to attending all required mandatory training courses.
14. Maintain own professional portfolio in accordance with personal development plans.
15. Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour

Administration:

1. Assist in preparing patients notes, relevant charts, nursing documentation and identity bracelets prior to, and on admission.
2. Undertake clerical duties as directed by the Registered Nurse in relation to all verbal, digital and written communications, ensuring messages and communications are passed to other team members, storage of patient information and retrieval of such information, in line with the Trust Information Governance policy.

These duties and responsibilities are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and staff may be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities consistent with the band.  Skills development is encouraged and you may wish to consider additional skills/duties as part of your appraisal/PDR process.