Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Cornwall Hospice Care

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB DETAILS: Health Care Assistant (NVQ level 3 or equivalent)

REPORTS TO: Ward Sister/Manager

RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Clinical Services

JOB PURPOSE: To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team in providing a high standard of specialist palliative care to patients and their families.

Under the supervision of the Ward Sister/nurse in charge on the shift, the Post Holder is involved with the daily activities of patient care.

To maintain agreed standards of care and to take an active part in clinical audits in order to improve nursing practice.

DIMENSIONS: To work primarily within the in-patient unit.

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES

WARD SISTER

SENIOR STAFF NURSE

STAFF NURSE

POST HOLDER

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL: Must have appropriate NVQ qualifications

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To be aware of the palliative care approach and its significance in informing an appropriate communication process.

2. Contribute to multi-professional working. To adhere to the guidelines and protocols.

3. To work with the team to meet agreed standards and objectives in order to deliver physical, emotional, social and spiritual support to the patients and carers.

4. To ensure care is delivered in a style appropriate to the patients individual needs.

5. Reports the condition of patients to the registered nurse, and any accidents or incidents on the unit.

6. Understands the importance of confidentiality and when to disclose information.

7. Understands the principles underpinning the risk assessment process. Contributes to maintaining the health and safety requirements of the unit. Understands the patient call system and all statutory training requirements.

8. Awareness of the importance of accurate record keeping.

9. Understands and only undertakes activities that you are trained and competent to perform.

10. Awareness of symptoms and conditions affecting the patients well-being.

11. Understands the requirements for reporting on care.

12. Knows how to access journal and library resources and can provide general information to patients, carers and other professionals.

13. Knows when to refer to another member of the team.

14. Able to answer telephone and taking and giving telephone messages as required.

15. To support volunteers working within the Hospice.

16. To participate in further training and to maintain a commitment to professional development.

17. To contribute to the team development.

18. To support volunteers working within the Hospice.

19. To actively participate in ward meetings and ensure that accurate information is fed back to the appropriate members of the multi-disciplinary team.

20. To participate in an annual staff appraisal or as appropriate. To recognize specific needs and areas of personal development.

21. To be aware of Fire Regulations, Health and Safety at work Act, 1974, and any subsequent relevant legislation.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Post Holder will have the most frequent contact with:

1 Patients, their relatives/carers.

2 All staff and volunteers.

3 The Community Team, other professionals and external agencies.

4 Students on Clinical Placements.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended. You also may be asked to undertake other duties within the general level and scope of the post.

All information regarding colleagues, customers, volunteers, patients and their relatives is confidential and must not be divulged.

Staff are expected to promote a harmonious and welcoming atmosphere for customers, patients, relatives, volunteers and others and to maintain and enhance the reputation of Cornwall Hospice Care at all times.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• - Qualified to NVQ level or equivalent in Care
• - Previous care work experience
• - Good communication skills
• - Good team working skills
• - Ability to prioritise workload
• - Ability to work flexibly
• - Calm under pressure

Desirable

• - Some recent care work experience
• - End of life care experience

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

Cornwall Hospice Care

Address

St. Julias Hospice

Foundry Hill

Hayle

Cornwall

TR27 4HW

Employer's website

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