Health Care Assistant - Emergency Orthopaedic Unit

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Report information concerning the patients, including information of their care delivery and wellbeing to other members of the team, including Registered Healthcare Professionals, in a timely manner.

Ask for, listen, and value the views of patients and their relatives/carers on their experience, including complaints and discuss with the Registered Healthcare Professional in a timely manner.

Communicate effectively with dignity and respect to all patients, relatives and others considering potential barriers to understanding.

Recognise and report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes.

Assist in preparing patients notes, relevant charts/documentation. 

Maintain effective working relationships with ward colleagues particularly those highlighted within the organisation chart above

Welcome and orientate new staff, patients, and visitors to the ward/department.

Carry out routine personal care procedures as directed.

Use a range of techniques for infection prevention and control including waste management, hand washing and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Ensure patients nutritional needs are met through assisting in the preparation of patients prior to meals and beverages, providing help and assistance in feeding/drinking as necessary.

Appropriately record and monitor dietary intake of patients, informing relevant staff of progress and/or any difficulties relating to dietary/fluid intake as required.

Assist patients in their mobility requirements, help move and position appropriately to maximise their physical comfort, utilising equipment a trained to use and as directed by the multi professional team.

Prepare individual patients and the environment to ensure effective movement and/or handling procedures to ensure patient and staff safety.

Assist in the care of patient’s skin integrity by observing pressure areas and undertaking actions as appropriate to prevent pressure ulcers, escalating concerns to the Registered Healthcare Professional in a timely manner, recording and maintaining relevant documentation as directed.

Assist in the duties relating to last offices for deceased persons as required. Ensure that all religious and cultural wishes, obligations are adhered to.

When necessary, initiate and assist with basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation procedures.

At the delegation of the Registered Healthcare Professional, transfer the patient from one care area to another, i.e. to discharge lounge/ another ward.

Assist in providing conditions to meet the patient’s need for rest and sleep.

Chaperone the patient as required ensuring appropriate support.

Actively support and assist in alleviating distress and anxiety of patients or carers, consistent with their personal beliefs and preferences, seeking help and support as required. 

Support patients with dementia/cognitive impairment/delirium, providing Enhanced Supervision where required.

Proactively help patients and carers to take an active role in their care.

Assist in maintaining and monitoring cleaning standards within the clinical area ensuring  fixtures/ fittings and equipment is cleaned in accordance with guidelines.

Promote standards of health and safety in working practice and the workplace, by being responsible for self and others through identifying risks, undertaking work activities in a safe manner.

Prioritise own workload

Undertake tasks and workload activities whilst ensuring that their practice is guided by standard operating procedures and established protocols.

Under the delegation of the Registered HealthCare Professional participate in the delivery of patient care, as outlined above. 

Demonstrate self-directed development to ensure practise is in accordance with established protocols and standard operating procedures under close, but not continuous, supervision. 

Provide basic health promotion advice to patients and relatives/carers, as directed/ appropriate

Act always in a manner, which illustrates respect for privacy, dignity and confidentiality. 

Contribute to effective team working, by being fully involved, committed, and participating, to achieving full potential. 

ADMINISTRATIVE:
• Maintain accurate and timely records.
• Undertake basic administrative tasks including answering the telephone when required and taking of messages and passing on relevant information in a timely manner
• Attend ward /departmental meetings as required
• Under the direction of the Registered Healthcare Professional, record patient’s items of property in the ward property and valuables book, ensuring valuables are correctly placed into safekeeping.
• Exercise personal duty of care in the safe use and storage of equipment.
• 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.
• As directed be responsible for ordering consumables and equipment to meet the needs of the service.
• Assist in the transfer of materials and equipment as requested,
• Use IT systems as appropriate following training as required. 
• Responsible for use of and security of assets within the department including own use and correct use by others e.g., IT equipment 
• Have a responsibility to ensure all information processed for patients and staff is kept confidential, accurate and in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Caldecott principles
• Participate in ward/ departmental audit activity as required e.g., Ward Accreditation

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT:
• Support new or less experienced work colleagues to adapt to the workplace
• Assist in the induction of new ward staff as directed.
• Working with the Registered Healthcare Professionals act as a role model providing guidance and support to Trainee’s, junior staff, and work colleagues as required, helping to always ensure the efficient and effective running of the ward/department.
• Contribute to a culture where all staff feel safe to raise their concerns and that speaking up about what these are is a normal part of their routine.
• Be familiar and comply with all Trust Policies and Procedures.
• Adhere to Trust Uniform Policy.
• Adhere to Trust social media Policy. 

SECTION 2- KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
• Demonstrate a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and apply the principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the Registered Healthcare Professional as required.
• Have a responsibility to ensure all information processed for patients and staff is kept confidential, accurate and in line with the data protection act 1998 and Caldecott principles.
• Be environmentally aware and prudent in use of resources and energy.
• Maintain responsibility for the identification of own continuing educational needs and development and take part in annual appraisal.
• Recognise and consistently work within boundaries of the role and acquire skills and knowledge to develop competencies in the service area as directed.
• Maintain competence in Statutory and Mandatory training.
• Attend appropriate training courses and keep up to date with developments within the service area.

SECTION 3- EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT
• Frequent moderate effort for several short periods/occasional intense effort for several short periods.
• Use of hoists and wheelchairs/manoeuvring clients for toileting, bathing.
• Promote standards of health and safety in working practice and the workplace, by being responsible for self and others through identifying risks, undertaking work activities in a safe manner.
• Use a range of techniques for infection prevention and control including waste management, hand washing and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Maintain cleanliness in the work environment in line with Trust Health and Safety and Infection Prevention Practice policies.