Healthcare Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide direct nursing care to patients working independently when appropriate or in partnership with registered nurses when patient needs demand this.

To work together with the multi-disciplinary team to maintain a holistic approach to patient care reporting concerns as necessary to team members.

To work as a team to help families as needed, reporting any difficulties to the registered nursing staff.

To observe and report accurately on patients general condition ensuring that all information is communicated by taking part in discussion and recording relevant information in patients records to comply with legal and professional requirements.

To maintain a high standard of nursing care.

To help ensure a safe working environment including knowledge of necessary policies (fire and health and safety policy) and ensure equipment used is in good working order. Report accidents to Senior Nurse.

To demonstrate communication skills at a level appropriate to your role and responsibilities with patients and families.

To assist with maintaining the general cleanliness of the unit and any housekeeping that is required.

To undertake clinical observations as required and be competent to identify results which fall outside normal limits.

To assist and support volunteers with their role.

To perform designated nursing tasks as agreed with Ward Manager or nurse in charge and dependant on competencies and training.

Management & Supervisory

To assist and support volunteers with their role.

To provide mentorship to new staff members

To generate and maintain a friendly team spirit with all staff at the hospice including volunteers.

To plan own workload in collaboration with registered nurses.

Demonstrate positive and professional behaviours at all times

Clinical Governance

To act as a mentor to CQF trainees to help support and enhance their progress.

Ensure practice is in line with health and safety, infection prevention and control measures.

Education and Development

To attend such courses/lectures/mandatory/non-mandatory in-service training as indicated by the needs of the service and own personal developments as identified.

To have a written appraisal by your line manager at least annually, with the opportunity for review of objectives.

Research and Development

To undertake surveys or audits as necessary to own work to support the process of audit within the clinical area.

General Requirements

This post is subject to the Terms and Conditions of employment of the Hospice as specified in the Staff Handbook.

Competence

You are responsible for limiting your actions to those that you feel competent to undertake.

If you have any doubts about your competence during the course of your duties you should immediately speak to your line manager/supervisor.

Risk Management

It is a standard element of the role and responsibility of all staff of the Hospice that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards. It is a requirement that you adhere to Nightingale House Hospice Policies, Procedures, Protocols and Guidelines at all times.

Health and Safety Requirements of the Hospice

All employees of the Hospice have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees are required to co-operate with management to enable the Hospice to meet its own legal duties and to report any hazardous situations or defective equipment.

Data Protection and Confidentiality

The post holder must treat all information, whether corporate, staff or patient information, in a discreet, secure and confidential manner in accordance with the provisions of the current data protection legislation and organisational policy. Any breach of such confidentiality is considered a serious disciplinary offence, which is liable to dismissal and/or prosecution under statutory legislation and the hospices disciplinary policy. This duty of confidence continues after the post holder leaves the organisation.

Records Management

As an employee of the hospice, the post holder is legally responsible for all records that they gather, create or use as part of their work within the organisation (including patient health, staff health or injury, financial, personal and administrative), whether paper based or on computer. The post holder should consult the IG Lead if they have any doubt as to the correct management of records with which they work.

This job description is an outline of the role and function. It is not intended to describe all specific tasks.

The post is subject to an enhanced disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS check).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• QCF level 2 or equivalent experience/qualifications
• OR
• NVQ Level 2 in health/social care related subject or equivalent experience/qualifications
• Willingness to work toward QCF Level 3
• Good knowledge of anatomy and physiology

Desirable

• ECDL

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as a HCSW without direct supervision in a clinical setting and being managed by a qualified practitioner
• Good understanding of risk assessment and management
• Understanding of the needs of people with life limiting conditions.

Skills Knowledge and Behaviour

Essential

• The ability to communicate clearly and accurately
• Vital signs recording e.g. blood pressure, pulse, resps
• The ability to change to new and challenging circumstances.
• The ability to work well alone under supervision and to understand when to seek clinical advice from registered staff.
• Works well as a team member
• Good decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently within professional boundaries.
• Ability to approach any situation in a calm, professional manner.

Desirable

• IT skills and knowledge.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Nightingale House Hospice

Address

Chester Road

Wrexham

Clwyd

LL11 2SJ

Employer's website

https://www.nightingalehouse.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)