Health Care Assistant - Planned Orthopaedic Unit

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MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assist and support qualified nursing staff, and ascertain which treatments are to be
carried out.
2. Report on general condition / appearance of patients to the nurse in charge.
3. Maintain good standards of department housekeeping under the direction of the nurse
in charge, including cleaning of the treatment areas and equipment, cleaning of storage
shelves and cupboards, safe disposal of linen and soiled linen, and assisting with the
maintenance of stock levels.
4. To make the Lead Nurse aware of any problems/worries relating to sphere/area of work.
5. Assist with daily hygiene needs of patients and unit
PROFESSIONAL/CLINICAL
1. Maintain high standard of personal contact and communication with patients, and relatives

2. Participate in giving out bedpans / urinals, observing and
collecting specimens as required, and measuring /
charting fluids as directed.
3. To avoid any behaviour which discriminates against your fellow employees, or potential
employees on the grounds of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion,
creed, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.
4. To safeguard at all times confidentiality of information relating to patients and staff.
5. To refrain from smoking in any areas of Trust premises.
6. To behave in a manner which ensures the security of NHS property and resources.
7. To abide by all relevant Trust Policies and Procedures.
ADMINISTRATIVE/MANAGERIAL
1. Check ward supplies and inform Lead Nurse as budget holder of any that need
ordering.
2. To provide cover for colleagues as directed by your manager.
SECTION 2
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
1. Document any observations made or care delivered in the patients notes in a legible,
accurate and appropriate manner, with due consideration for confidentiality issues and
legal implications. This does NOT need to be countersigned by the trained nurse, but
should be brought to the attention of the nurse in charge.
2. The post holder will have good communication skills
3. The post holder will have skills to communicate complex information to Nurse in
Charge.
4. The post holder will contact patients, relatives, carers on the instruction of the nurse in
charge if required to do so.
5. The post holder will demonstrate an awareness of district policy in relation to barrier
nursing and cross infection.
6. Following appropriate training and assessment of competence, and should the needs of
the clinical area require this, carry out specific skills at the request of qualified nurses /
doctors.
7. Following appropriate training, and should the needs of the clinical area require this,
perform and record patient observations as directed by the qualified nurse, including  temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen
saturation levels and blood glucose monitoring.
8. Assist with the care if relatives / carers, whilst at all times ensuring that confidentiality is
maintained.
9. Care of patients clothing / valuables in accordance with policy
SECTION 3
EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT
1. Assist with moving and positioning of patients, including the appropriate use of aids,
whilst demonstrating an awareness of health and safety issues.
2. Participate in improving and maximising the mobility of patients as directed.
3. The Post holder will be required to transfer patients’ notes and x-rays to other areas
within the Trust as required.
4. The post holder will be responsible for the filing of patients’ notes and reports.
5. The post holder will carry out ward receptionist duties as required by the nurse in
charge.
6. Be aware of emergency procedures relating to cardiac arrest and fire, and understand
own roles within that.
7. Participate in the safe transfer of patients, at the discretions and direction of the nurse in
charge.
Carry out general duties as directed by Nurse in Charge.
SECTION 4-ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
1. To provide cover for colleagues as directed by your manager.
2. Risk Management (Health & Safety)
a) You will follow risk management procedures at all times. The Risk Management procedures for
the Trust and the department are kept by the departmental manager.
b) You are personally responsible for Risk Management issues in respect of yourself and your
colleagues.
c) If you identify a potential hazard you should report it to your manager / supervisor at once. If in
doubt you should speak to your manager for guidance.
d) You must always use safety equipment provided, and report any defects to your manager. You
must attend Risk Management Training as directed by your manager.
e) If you are a manager or have line management responsibilities for staff or a department or
area of work, you are responsible for the Risk Management issues in that area. You will ensure 
Chief Executive – Karen James
Chairman – Jane McCall
that there is an annual Risk Management audit in your area and make sure that where
necessary, an action plan eradicating risks is drawn up and implemented.
f) Should you need help in resolving Risk Management matters, you must seek assistance from
your manager.
3. Infection Prevention and Control
a) You are personally responsible for ensuring that you protect yourself, patients, visitors and
colleagues from the risks of infection associated with health care activities and the care
environment.
b) You must adhere to infection prevention and control policies at all times liaising with the
infection control team and acting on any instructions given.
c) You must attend regular infection prevention and control update training.
d) You should at all times promote and demonstrate good practice for the prevention and control
of infection.
4. To avoid any behaviour which discriminates against your fellow employees, or potential
employees on the grounds of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion,
creed, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.
5. To safeguard at all times confidentiality of information relating to patients and staff.
6 Child Protection and Vulnerable People
It is the responsibility of all staff to safeguard children and/or vulnerable adults, to access training
to ensure they know what constitutes abuse, and what support is available to them, at a level
appropriate to their role and responsibilities.
To report any concerns, without delay, to the identified person within their department/division or
area of responsibility as per the relevant policies, keeping clear records, and following up as
required to ensure necessary actions have been taken.
7. No Smoking Policy
The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy which states that smoking is prohibited within all Trust
premises and on the site. This includes entrances, exits, cars, lease cars, car parks, pavements
and walkways, areas hidden from general view and residences. As an employee of the Trust you
are expected to comply with this policy, failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being
taken under the Trust’s Conduct and Disciplinary Policy.
7. To behave in a manner which ensures the security of NHS property and resources.
8. To abide by all relevant Trust Policies and Procedures.
This list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive, and the post holder may be
required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required.
This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification in
consultation with the post holder.