Job Description
An excellent opportunity has arisen for a self-motivated and experienced health care assistant to join the friendly and well-established team on Osterley 2.
Osterley 2 is a 30-bed General surgical ward at West Middlesex University Hospital site. The successful candidate will provide and maintain the highest standard of individualised and holistic patient care within the surgical department and in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team.
PLEASE NOTE ADVERT WILL CLOSE ONCE SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED
The main aspects of the role include clinical duties including direct patient care under supervision, assisting the Multi professional team in the delivery of a high standard of care to patients attending in the ward. We are looking for individuals who are motivated, enthusiastic and possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills along with the ability to work with a team in a welcoming, and friendly unit.
In return, you will join a highly skilled and experienced doctors, nurses, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and other members of multidisciplinary team who are responsible for delivering a high standard of care to patients. We have a full in-house and Multidisciplinary Education programme. The post holders will be expected to work flexibly within the surgical field.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provide services from two main hospitals, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital, and a number of clinics across London and the South-East.
We have nearly 7,000 members of staff that arePROUD to Carefor nearly one million people. Both hospitals provide full clinical services, including full maternity, emergency and children’s, in addition to a range of community-based services across London, such as award-winning sexual health and HIV clinics.
We’re one of the best performing Trusts in the country. We’re also one of the top trusts to work for – our staff says they’re engaged, motivated, and would recommend us as a place to work and receive treatment.
Our Trust has been rated by the Care Quality Commission as ‘Good’ in all five of the main domains of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, giving an us overall rating of ‘Good’. We’ve also been awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating for ‘use of resources’ by an NHS Improvement inspection.
Our facilities are some of the best in the country. We have been investing significant Capital year on year in our estate. We have recently completed a £30m expansion of our adult and neonatal critical care facilities at Chelsea and Westminster and are planning an ambitious £60m development of an Ambulatory Diagnostics Centre at West Middlesex.
PROFESSIONAL / CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Accurately measures and records observations of temperature, pulse, respirations,
- Blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, height and weight. Demonstrates an Understanding of normal results and the importance of reporting abnormal readings to a qualified nurse.
- To clean equipment on a daily basis, including trolleys and drip stands. To inform the nurse in charge when repairs are needed.
- Works with the trained nurses to assist during invasive procedures. Under supervision and following local policy, completes procedure books and patient care plans. At the end of procedure and following training, clears procedure trolleys and ensures rooms are correctly cleaned and prepared quickly.
- Records activities and outcomes consistent with legislation, policies and procedures. Empty drainage bags/bedpans as required. Measure all output and record on the designated chart/notes. Demonstrate an understanding of normal output and the importance of reporting abnormal output to a qualified nurse.
- Checks with relevant sources of information to confirm the tasks to be undertaken. Undertakes specific tasks correctly, and in line with legislation, policies and procedures and/or established protocols.
- Monitors individuals whilst carrying out the tasks and identifies and reports any changes in the individual’s health and wellbeing.
- Measure and record patients’ height and weight.
- Perform venepuncture and venous blood sampling.
- Assist with the patient’s nutritional needs, such as diabetic and nil by mouth patients, patients post procedure record and report any concerns to staff.
- Collects lunches as required for post procedure Day case patients and offers fluids as requested.
- Assist patients with hygiene needs whilst in the Department as required. Reports and records any concerns. Assists patients with dressing and undressing for examinations/procedures. Communicates instructions and information to patients and assists with manual handling in line with Trust policy.
- Checks with relevant information sources to confirm what assessments need to be undertaken. Prepares appropriately for the task to be undertaken, taking into account any risks.
- Respects individual’s dignity, wishes and beliefs, involves them in shared decision making and obtains consent for activities to be undertaken.
- Undertakes and records specified tasks correctly, following delegated procedures or established protocols, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
- To demonstrate an understanding of infection control issues by attending mandatory training; understand infection control policy and procedure, accept responsibility for own infection control practice and be willing to challenge others’ practice.
- Liaise with the trusts MDT as appropriate to ensure complete holistic care is provided.
- Collects blood products from the laboratory in accordance with the hospital transfusion policy (The post holder will only perform this task after training and assessment of competency as per trust policy).
- Assist in the provision of basic care to patients so as to ensure their comfort, cleanliness and well-being (e.g. assist with mouth care, hygiene and eye care).
- Report to registered nurses any problems arising during observation of or conversation with patients and careers.
- Cooperate with all colleagues to maintain a presentable and safe environment.
- Participate as a member of the team providing the highest standard of patient care, ensuring their comfort and safety.
- Assist patients, with activities of daily living, respecting individual needs, dignity and privacy in all necessary activities.
- Assist the trained nurses in undertaking basic observations such as temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturations, and urine analysis.
- Assist and support trained nurses in obtaining specimens such as stool, urine and MRSA screens.
- To escort/transport patients to and from other departments such as directed by the nurse in Charge, making the journey within professional standards.
- Transporting relevant specimens and/or blood products to and from different departments.
- Transporting/moving medical equipments and furniture safely to and from other departments.
- Removing deceased patients from the department to mortuary.
- Assisting in the storage and movement of supplies.
- Assist patients with their nutritional requirements, which includes ensuring menus are completed, handing out drinks & food to patients (ensuring they can reach everything they need, and are sat in a good eating position), and where appropriate feed patients.
- Undertake height and weight measurements to assist in the calculation of patient body mass index.
- Assist in ensuring that patients are screened for MRSA.
- Support patients undergoing clinical procedures ensuring their comfort and safety.
- Communicate using appropriate verbal and nonverbal methods, in a variety of situations that may involve overcoming physical and psychological barriers.
- Under the supervision of a qualified nurse, organise own workload and assist patients in all activities of daily living.
- Provide direct technical assistance to registered nursing staff when required, safely, utilising electronic and mechanical/manual equipment.
- Undertake and record clinical activities and observations, such as obtain specimens following training and assessment, as directed by the Registered Nurse.
- Enter and update patient documentation and records, utilising computerised information systems where required.
- Observe for and report any change in the condition of patients to the nurse in charge.
- Report all accidents/incidents to the nurse in charge.
- Contribute to the maintenance of work area, e.g.: disposal of linen, cleaning and tidying equipment, effective use of resources.
- Collection of domestic, clinical and hazardous waste as required.
- To deal with patient property in accordance with Trust procedure.
- Dealing with incoming and outgoing mail.
- To help reinforce health education advice to patients.
- To protect and maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
- To carry out all duties in a professional manner, adhering to the policies and procedures of the Trust and conforming to current legislation concerning Health & Safety at Work.
- Be aware of and work in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Department and the Trust.
- Maintain the confidentiality of information concerning patients, staff and other health care professionals.
- Be aware of minimising risk for patients, visitors and staff.
- Understand and adhere to the procedure for handling complaints and ensure that they are dealt with promptly and sympathetically.
- Be aware of and work in accordance with Trust infection control standards.
- Be able to report clinical incidents and be familiar with DATIX to report incidences.
- To undertake any relevant training and to be active in developing knowledge and skills to support practice, under the guidance of the ward sister.
- Deal with telephone enquiries sensitively and initiate appropriate action.
- Receive and direct patients and their relatives in a helpful and friendly manner.
- Maintain the clinical area in an organised and professional manner – clean and tidy, well stocked and in good order.
- Keep patient and clerical areas pleasant, safe, clean and tidy.
- Clean and clear equipment as required.
- Keep storage areas in good order.
- Keep waste to a minimum.
- To ensure that all patient/public areas including bedside, where applicable, and utility rooms are clean and tidy at all times, and to inform an appropriate member of staff when the required standard is not maintained.
- To monitor departmental equipment service/calibration history and in conjunction with the departmental nursing manager/team leader ensure all equipment is maintained as per trust policy.
- To undertake daily checks and document compliance or report repairs/faulty equipment as necessary, e.g. resuscitation trolley, oxygen and suction equipment, fridge temperatures, bed pan washers and emergency equipment plugged in plus other checks delegated by the Department Sister/Charge Nurse.
- To report faulty equipment to the relevant department for repair.
- Ensure stock levels of clinical and non-clinical supplies are maintained through ordering, storing and rotating stick and safely disposing of out of date stock.
- Following appropriate training and demonstration of competence to a specified level to provide individual therapeutic treatments to a specified patient group identified by the ward manager
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Demonstrates adherence to policy in the safe use and storage of medical and other equipment in the clinical environment.
- Reports faulty equipment in a timely and appropriate manner and maintain stock levels.
- Ensures that patient valuables are handled in accordance with hospital and department policies and procedures.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
- Understands the importance of data collection and supports the team whenever necessary to ensure data accuracy.
- Is clear about the safeguarding of confidential information in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures, encouraging good practice in others.
- Contributes to updating patients records.
SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
- Demonstrates an awareness and participates in strategies to improve clinical Practice
- Offers a questioning approach to all aspects of health care.
- Guides others in maintaining acceptable standards of cleanliness and hygiene, taking pride in the environment and services provided.
- Handles and patient/service user/visitor complaints courteously and objectively.
- Reports any complaints immediately to an appropriate Manager/Supervisor.
- Following training acts as mentor/assessor for less experienced staff enabling learning through instruction and demonstration.
- Displays knowledge and skill in the care and related procedures and clinical Observations.
- Follows policies, may contribute to in discussions on proposed changes to ward Procedures
PLEASE SEE JD/PS FOR JOB DETAILS