Job Description
Come and join our team! If you have an interest in caring for people there is opportunity to begin a career in a support role within an interesting and rewarding area of rehabilitation, which requires no set qualifications.
South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) is now recruiting Clinical Support Workers to join the newly developed Central England Rehabilitation Unit (CERU) at Leamington Spa Hospital.
Central England Rehabilitation Unit (CERU) is a national centre of excellence which has been established for over 20 years.
CERU offers 42 beds split over 2 wards (Chadwick and Allsop) and is recognised as one of the top units for providing patients with specialist rehabilitation. These ward areas specialise in caring for people suffering from an acquired and traumatic brain injury. It is also the rehabilitation centre for the major trauma pathway from UHCW.
Feldon Ward is a 20 bedded purpose built inpatient stroke rehabilitation facility. This unit works particularly close with all members of the multi-disciplinary team including OT’s, Physio, Speech and Language Therapists, Dietitians, Doctor’s, Consultants and many other professionals so you will have the opportunity to work closely and be part of a patients journey of rehabilitation.
Our patients have highly complex nursing needs requiring extended clinical skills so you will have the opportunity to learn and develop, tracheostomy management skills, alternative feeding skills, cannulation and venepuncture to name a few.
This position can offer you the opportunity to learn and work within a large nursing and multidisciplinary team, alongside developing your clinical skills and increase neurological conditions knowledge. It is suitable for anyone looking to ‘start’ a career in healthcare or alternatively someone who is looking to ‘develop’ their career as a support worker. You must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be reliable, work well in a team, flexible and have a caring, kind and compassionate nature.
This post includes working shifts which include days, nights and weekends.
We support learning and educational environment to ensure all employees have the right skills and knowledge to carry out their roles competently. We also fully engage in development and promote career progression internally. You will also have the opportunity to complete a clinical apprenticeship which provides an alternative career route into the nursing profession especially for those with commitment and enthusiasm rather than academic qualifications.
In return you will learn a range of new skills and knowledge, excellent training and career development, a salary from £20k – 21k plus unsociable hours allowance and other related organizational benefits.
Last year, the unit was awarded Level 1 status following a national review of services for adults with an acquired brain injury and is now recognised as a Centre of Excellence for in-patient rehabilitation for the most complex of brain injured patients.
The Clinical Support Worker will undertake high quality, caring and compassionate personal care and associated duties under the direction and supervision of the registered professional and working as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
As a Clinical Support Worker (CSW) you make a valuable and important contribution to the delivery of high quality healthcare in the Trust. Your role is to support the registered professional in the delivery of safe, effective, compassionate care to patients and their relatives. This job description is to be read in conjunction with the person specification for this particular job.
Professional Values
- To act in a professional manner and ensure Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all who come into contact with the services provided by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.
- Uphold the Trust values and standards at all times.
- Ensure documentation and records are maintained, kept confidential and meet Trust standards in line with the Data Protection Act.
- Demonstrates a positive and enthusiastic approach to their work in order to maintain high morale and motivation within the team. Promoting a professional and positive working environment.
- To report any accidents or incidents as described by the Trust policy and procedures ensuring an open and transparent culture.
- To take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and of other persons.
- To adhere to the Trust’s dress code policy, maintaining a smart appearance at all times.
- To assist other wards, departments and teams within the Trust as and when required by Service needs.
- To adhere to the Trust’s IT policies regarding e-mail and internet usage.
- To ensure children and adults are protected from abuse and avoidable harm and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
Clinical Practice
- To accurately and promptly carry out the instructions of the registered professional who is professionally accountable for the delivery of care.
- To carry out duties as specified within the Trust’s approved core task list for Clinical Support Workers/Health Care Assistants.
- To report to the registered professional any patient who gives cause for concern or any observed changes in the client or patient’s condition.
- Provide and deliver a high standard of individualised care under the direction and supervision of the registered professional.
- To report all care that has been given to patients within the team to a registered Professional
- To accurately document all care delivered to patients, countersigned by a registered professional, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- To assist in the preparation of patients for treatment, investigations or procedures as directed by the registered professional.
- To keep the clinical area clean and tidy, maintaining a safe environment.
- To adhere to Trust infection control procedures, demonstrating an understanding of cross infection.
- To chaperone or escort patients as needed under the direction of the registered professional.
- To support relatives demonstrating compassion and empathy under the guidance of a registered professional.
- To assist with the discharge process for patients as directed by the registered professional.
- Helping to attend to patients hygiene needs
- Performing and recording basic observations of patients including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, height and weight recordings
- Assisting with patient drinks and meals
- Toileting patients
- Handling and moving patients
- Escorting patients to other areas.
- Emptying and safe disposal of linen and ‘sharps’ items
Clerical Duties
- Undertaking reception duties.
- Preparing notes
- Filing in patient’s notes.
- Maintaining up to date information on the computer system.
- Requesting and obtaining patient records and x-rays.
- Making outpatient appointments.
- Photocopying.
- Provide clerical support for the team
Communications and Interpersonal Relationships
- Welcome patients, relatives and visitors to the clinical area, providing assistance, support and information where required. Being aware of barriers to effective communication.
- Always introduce yourself in line with the Trusts privacy and dignity promises and the principles of good customer service.
- To answer the telephone when necessary in a polite, courteous manner and pass on enquiries to the registered professional.
- Communicate effectively within the multi-disciplinary team to ensure that patient care is well planned and coordinated.
- Contribute to the reporting, handover and documentation of patient care under the direct supervision of a registered professional maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Report incidents, accidents and complaints as per Trust Policy and to the senior professional on duty, ensuring an open and transparent culture.
- Use the Trust information support system and other computer systems as required by the clinical area in accordance with Trust policy.
Team working
- Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe keeping of patient’s property in accordance with Trust policy.
- Promote a professional, welcoming and uncluttered environment by maintaining safe, clean and tidy storage areas.
- To share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all equipment in the clinical area including all equipment cleaning.
- Ensure all waste and soiled linen is disposed of in line with Trust policy.
- Participate in audit under the direction of the registered professional.
- Clean and check beds, bed spaces and lockers following discharge and in preparation for admission (inpatient areas only).
- Ensure deliveries are stored correctly and stock maintained to the required level, including general, stationary, intravenous fluids and pathology supplies
- Support the house-keeper with general housekeeping duties, reporting as necessary essential cleaning needs (inpatient areas only).
Education, Training and Personal Development
- To ensure attendance at mandatory training sessions, i.e. infection control, resuscitation and manual handling training.
- To complete the Trust’s Clinical Support Worker Induction programme.
- To successfully complete the Care Certificate within 12 weeks of commencing employment.
- To participate in the Trust Appraisal process.
- To undertake training as necessary for the development of the post and the relevance of the department including IT and clinical skills.
- To continue personal development in relation to identified objectives.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of changes in policies and procedures relevant to the post.