Job Description
Health Care Assistant (HCA) is a member of the health care team who works under the supervision of a registered health or social care professional.
A HCA can undertake a range of roles within their overall job and their level of responsibility will be appropriate/ commensurate to the level of knowledge and skills they have acquired.
Irrespective of the patient care pathway, the core competences at each level should be consistently applied.
To participate, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse/ Midwife, in the delivery of patient care to a defined client group, in accordance with the philosophy of care which enables clients to maintain their skills and maximize the potential to achieve independence.
Work as part of an effective and caring team. The post holder works under the indirect supervision of the Registered Nurse/ Midwife. They will work within the boundaries of their existing and developing skills at all times. The post holder is expected to maintain high standards of care, managing their time, tasks and resources effectively.
The post holder will support the clinical team and also perform administration role in completing the discharge process for endoscopy patients on cerner as soon as the nurse discharge a patient. Ensure the endoscopy cerner bed boards are clear daily and patients are checked out from cerner appointment book and complete the WHO checklist audits for all patients on intranet. Assist the booking of interventional procedures on Cerner following appointment date confirmation
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.
1. Clinical Support Role
- Under direct supervision assists with the delivery of care as described by the Registered Nurse
- Assist patients with general hygiene needs reporting any changes in patients’ condition.
- Assist the patient to dress appropriately.
- Safeguard patients own belongings and space
- Under supervision take and record the patient’s observations (e.g. temperature, skin assessment) as required, and inform the registered nurse of any observed changes in the patient’s condition.
- Support the Registered Nurse in meeting and recording patients’ elimination needs. Report any changes identified and record quantities and frequency on the relevant charts appropriately.
- Work with the Registered Nurse to gain knowledge and understanding of providing pressure area care and the use of aids
- Work with the Registered Nurse to gain knowledge of mobilisation aids and their correct and safe use.
- Assist the Registered Nurse in the moving, handling and positioning of patients to meet clinical need, adhering to the Trust Moving and Handling policy at all times
- Report physical and psychological changes in patient’s condition to the Registered Nurse, ensuring pain and distress are acted on promptly.
- Have an awareness of patient dietary needs and adhere to patient protected mealtimes.
- Under supervision deliver meals and provide drinks to patients as appropriate and record fluid / food intake, (inpatient only). Report any changes of pattern to Registered Nurse
- Report relevant information regarding the patient care to Registered Nurse
- Assist the Registered Nurse in contributing to the care of dying and deceased patients, sensitively providing support to relatives/friends and support patients who have received bad news.
- Support the Registered Nurse in the provision of health promotion/ education, e.g. prevention of pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis. See Skills Sheet /competency booklet for further information.
- Participate in regular unit meetings and attend other meetings as requested.
- Undertake tasks and procedures, in which competency has been assessed and recorded specific to the care environment, including for example Patients vital signs.
- Participate in research activities as and when required.
- To assist in the maintenance of stock levels, re stocking the equipment’s in the consultation rooms, emptying the deliveries, assist in pushing the beds and stocking up the linen.
- All team members are responsible for behaving in a manner that does not put themselves, patients, visitors and other team members in danger or at risk in the clinical environment.
- To assist the patient to ensure they have the opportunity to meet their individual dietary requirements.
- To receive and convey information from telephone or personal enquiries in a courteous manner and ensure all persons visiting the Endoscopy unit are greeted and assisted in a welcoming and supportive manner.
- To assist and support registered nurses and clerical staff in administrative duties when required.
- To escort stable patients to and from all wards and departments within the hospital when required.
- To check the labcaire endoscope cabinets daily.
- To prepare the suction box daily
- Ensure all admission cubicles are stocked with linen, dignity shorts and cannulation kits.
- Ensure all prep rooms and linen corners have linen bags.
- Ensure every patient that comes to the recovery bay have their names written on the bed board and wiped off when they are transferred to discharged lounge.
- Offer patients refreshments at the discharged lounge if required
- Ensure biscuits and tea is available in the discharged lounge.
- Check all alcohol dispenser and request if empty
- Change the PROUD board at reception with the coordinator’s name and date daily.
- Photocopy patient aftercare information sheets
Housekeeping and Environmental Care:
- Will ensure the environment is clean, comfortable, safe, and welcoming to patients, relatives and all health care workers
- Pro-actively raise concerns about the provision of services to service users with supervisor and managers
- Will demonstrate an understanding of basic infection control techniques, the
disposal of sharps and universal safety techniques with regard to spillages.
- Supervise and share responsibility for the cleaning and maintenance of equipment and relevant labelling.
- Supervise and share responsibility for reporting any faulty or broken equipment to the Registered Nurse/ Midwife and appropriate labelling
- Supervise and share responsibility for delivering specimens, test requests, notes or any charts as requested.
- Escort patients to other departments.
- To work with the registered nurse/ Midwife to monitor and maintain required, stock levels.
- Keep all storage areas clean and tidy and in good order
Infection Control
- Be aware of and understand basic infection control techniques
- Be aware of and follow safe disposal of sharps into appropriate container
- Understand universal safety techniques with regard to spillages.
- Dispose of body fluids, soiled linen, clothing etc in line with the Trust Infection Control Policy and Waste Disposal Regulations
Clerical and Reception
- Undertake administrative and clerical duties as required/ in the absence of the
ward clerk/ receptionist
- Deal with all enquiries politely and effectively in any circumstances.
- Ensure patients confidentiality and details are maintained at all times.
- Redirect all patients’ enquiries to the Registered Nurse/ Midwife.
- Ensure that all information is accurately recorded and files updated and that all
Documentation is accurately filed as directed.
Make patient appointments and book patient transport, if required, as directed by the Registered Nurse/ Midwife
Education & research:
- Undertake Ward/Departmental induction and orientation
- Complete associated competency booklet – completion time 2 months. Follow up action plan to complete this if required, by initial appraisal at 3 months
- Work with manager 3 months after taking up post, to undertake an appraisal and Personal Development Plan to set objectives and agree future competency achievement and development.
- Successfully complete the Essence of Care Programme
- Undertake NVQ Level 2 programme
- Attend relevant training in line with Trust policy.
Actively participate in team meetings and team brief cascade of information
Quality Improvement / Clinical Governance
- Assist or participate in departmental and Trust initiatives or audits, related to Quality Improvement / Clinical Governance
- To participate in the orientation and educational programmes for new staff.
- The post holder is encouraged by the ward /department to attend both personal and professional development activities that assist in their role and the service through negotiation with Ward/Department.
Equality and Diversity
- Work within legislation and local procedures according to the Human Rights Act, Data Protection Act and Caldicott guidelines.
- Demonstrate awareness of culture, equality and diversity towards patients and colleagues.
- Maintain dignity and privacy at all times.
- Provide equality for all patients by non-discriminatory practice.
- Demonstrate an understanding of religious beliefs and customs.
- Understanding the requirements of vulnerable patients and the processes that are required to maintain their safety
Professional development:
- Maintain professional registration
- Ensure mandatory training and a satisfactory appraisal is in date
- Undertake a professional development plan and demonstrate achievement of objectives
- Ensure adherence to Trust policy and guidelines at all times
- Role model Trust values at all times.
Codes of Professional Conduct
Staff are required to abide by the professional code of the conduct relevant to their governing body e.g. NMC Code of Conduct for Nursing, GMC code for doctors etc.
This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager.
All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.
Customer Care
- To accord respect quality, dignity and confidentiality to each patient, relative and visitor.
- To support the transfer of patients on trolley, beds or wheelchair from the endoscopy procedure room to endoscopy recovery area post endoscopic procedure.
- To support the transfer of in-patients from the wards to endoscopy unit and back to the wards.
- To bring in trolleys from the recovery area to each endoscopy procedure room during procedure set up.
- To act at all times in a courteous and helpful manner to all patients, visitors and staff.
- To act as liaison between patients and relatives and the various service providers.
- To undertake any further duties appropriate to the grade as directed by the unit Sister or nurses.
- To deal with any telephone enquiries and ensure messages are recorded or passed on as appropriate.
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