Senior health care assistant

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SECTION 1- MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

PROFESSIONAL / CLINICAL:

·         Work within the ward/department setting, providing high quality, caring, compassionate and personal care to patients and their families/carers

·         Work under the direction of the Registered Healthcare professionals and senior colleagues, both independently and as part of the multi- disciplinary team.

·         Under the direction of a Registered Health Care Professional ensure a high standard of service provision within ward/department, by practicing effective clinical and administrative preparation, effective communication and care delivery, prioritising workload appropriately and contributing to service improvements

·         Participate in giving compassionate high-quality personal care to patients prioritising appropriately and developing competencies that safeguard practice Develop competencies appropriate to the role the role.

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

·         Exhibit professional attitude and behaviour and always demonstrate excellent customer care skills.

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

·         Develop positive relationships with patients, families, and carers.

·         Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and healthcare practitioners.

·         Welcome and orientate patients and visitors to the ward/department.

·         Use communication tools (verbal/ nonverbal) to gain informed consent with patients where there will often be barriers to effective communication e.g., loss of hearing, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain, fear etc.

·         Report information concerning the patients, including relevant information for their care delivery, and well-being 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 this 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.

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

·         Assist in preparing patients notes, relevant charts/documentation.

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

·         Be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of delegated personal care to patients within the ward/department team according to their individual needs with specific concern for their religious, cultural, and personal preference.

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

·         Assist patients with toileting and use of continence aids. Measure and record body waste/fluid balance accurately.

·         Assist in preparing patients notes, relevant charts/documentation and ensure identity name bands are in place prior to, and on admission.

·         Undertake clerical duties as directed by the registered member of staff in relation to all verbal and written communications, ensuring messages and communications are passed to other team members, in a timely and accurate manner as required.

·         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.

·         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.

·         Prepare individual patients and the environment to ensure effective movement and/or handling procedures.

·          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.

·         Support members of the MDT with the completion of relevant documentation, including care plans, and risk assessments (e.g., falls) as required.

·         Demonstrate a good understanding of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to the undertaking of care procedures.

·         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.

·         Assist in the correct procedure of duties relating to last offices for deceased person.

·         At the delegation of the registered staff member, transfer the patient from one care area to another, i.e.   to discharge lounge/another ward.

·         Chaperone the patient as required ensuring appropriate support.

·         Ensure that all religious and cultural wishes, obligations are adhered with.

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

·         Perform additional clinical skills as directed by the Registered Healthcare Professional (that have been agreed by the Line Manager) where trained and competent to do so and within the scope of the role and speciality.

·         Undertake a range of clinical competencies as directed by the Registered Healthcare Professional including the undertaking of the patient’s vital signs, including: -

- Temperature

- Blood Pressure

- Pulse

- Respiration

- Oxygen Saturation

and report findings to the Registered Healthcare Professional on duty.

·         Record findings in patients records in real time. (n.b. these maybe electronic or on paper currently)

·         Undertake a range of clinical competencies e.g., Venepuncture and cannulation as directed by the Registered Healthcare Professional ensuring relevant documentation is countersigned by the same practitioner and policy followed. 

·         Assist in blood collection from the laboratory as required

·         At the request of the Registered Healthcare Professional, perform and record blood glucose levels utilising Trust point of care blood glucose monitoring equipment – reporting results to the Registered Healthcare Professional on duty.

·         Following the completion of appropriate training and assessment and under the direction of a Registered Healthcare Professional undertake: -

o   Urine testing / urine analysis

o   ECG recording,

o   Stoma and catheter care

as per Trust policy, reporting results to the Registered Healthcare Professional on duty.

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

·         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.

·         Maintain cleanliness in the work environment in line with Trust Health and Safety policies.

·         Prepare and maintain environments for clinical procedures.

·         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 and that of junior staff.
• Be responsible for planned care and tasks delegated from a Registered Healthcare Professional.
• Undertake tasks and workload activities whilst ensuring that their practice is guided by standard operating procedures and established protocols.

·         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.
• Participate in ward/ departmental audit activity as required e.g., Ward Accreditation