Job responsibilities
JOB OVERVIEW
JOB TITLE
Clinical Support Worker
DEPARTMENT
The Hospice
LOCATION
Myland Hall, Colchester
REPORTS TO
Matron
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Care Co-ordinator and Administrator
Patients, families and careers.
Therapies and Wellbeing team
Community team and Single Point
The Hospice team
Multidisciplinary team (MDT)
The post holder will accountable to the Director of care for performance in relation to professional practice.
Volunteers
Domestic and catering staff
External professional agencies
KEY PRIORITIES
The Clinical Support Worker (CSW) will work independently, delivering elements of health and social care, undertaking clinical work which previously was within the remit of the registered nurse. The Clinical Support Worker may transcend professional boundaries; they are accountable to themselves, their Line Manager and ultimately the patient.
The clinical support required will be an extension to the Assistant Nurse role involving;
Post bereavement appointments (also known as Collections)
Phlebotomy and cannulation
Moving and handling training of clinical staff
Wound care
Working alongside the Care Co-ordinator team with admissions and discharge planning.
The Clinical Support Worker will be involved in the assessment and care of patients, and will provide psychosocial support to patients and their families whose lives are impacted by illness, loss and grief.
They will work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) representing a clinical/psychosocial perspective and will work across all St Helena directorates as required. This will include working with external health, social care, and education, other professionals and voluntary organisations when required to support patients and families.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Working in conjunction with the Care Co-ordination team, involving admission and discharge planning where appropriate and answering to the Care Co-ordinator directly.
Perform Last Offices to deceased patients, including safe custody of valuables and belongings. This includes post bereavement family appointments (also known as Collections) which involve the collection of the medical certificate and the option for loved ones to view the deceased.
Complete CSW competencies within 12 months which will enable the individual to undertake specialist clinical roles; phlebotomy and cannulation, wound care management and female catheterisation.
To work autonomously and manage their own caseload following St Helena policy and procedures and direction from the line manager.
To work effectively as a member of the MDT, identifying and working towards the long and short term goals of the service. Liaise with professionals from other organisations for the benefit of the patient and their family.
Mentor Assistant Nurses (and appropriate junior clinical staff) supporting their clinical development.
Facilitate mandatory Moving and Handling training for all clinical staff.
Work alongside volunteers within the unit and report any concerns about practice to the Line manager.
Work within the nursing team on the IPU (and other areas of St Helena if required) to meet the needs of the patient (hygiene, elimination, nutritional, mobilising, pain, pressure area care, maintain independence spiritual and psychosocial).
Escort patients to hospital appointments, home visits or recreational trips.
Assist in the assessment and interpretation of the impact of serious illness, loss and grief on individuals and provide appropriate support.
To provide advice, guidance and information as required. To contribute within the MDT an understanding of the psychological, emotional and social problems experienced by patients and their families.
To act as an advocate for the patient and families ensuring that their choices and rights are upheld.
To maintain accurate and comprehensive records with respect to patient/family interventions in line with St Helena policy.
To regularly attend supervision and reflect on practice, but maintaining confidentiality in accordance with St Helena policy.
To attend all mandatory training and participate in annual staff development review.
Enforcing infection control and maintaining health and safety within the ward area (as per St Helena policy).
Represent the unit when required on St Helena wide committees (Audit and clinical governance).
Ensure you follow all policies and procedures in relation to prevention and infection control
IREME
GENERAL - Applicable to all roles at St Helena
All of the above activities are governed by the operational policies, Standing Financial Instructions, policies and procedures and standards of St Helena as well as legislation and professional standards and guidelines.
All employees must comply with St Helenas Equal Opportunity Policy and must not discriminate on the grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic, or national origins, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.
Employees have a responsibility to themselves and others in relation to managing risk, health and safety and will be required to work within the policies and procedures laid down by St Helena. All staff have a responsibility to access occupational health, other staff support services and/or any relevant others in times of need and advice.
All employees have the right to work in an environment which is safe and to be protected from all forms of abuse, violence, harassment and undue stress. All employees are responsible for helping to ensure that individuals do not suffer harassment or bullying in any form. All employees will be personally accountable for their actions and behaviour in cases of complaint of harassment or bullying.
St Helena is a smoke free organisation. Smoking is not allowed in any St Helena premises. If you would like help to give up smoking you should contact your GP or call the NHS Stop Smoking Help Line.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Be aware of own development needs and take appropriate action.
Keep updated of evidence based practice and government policies related to care.
Act as an effective role model at all times.
PROFESSIONAL DUTIES
To maintain personal professional status, ensuring that the requirements laid down by the relevant professional body for registration are compliant.
Exercise professional accountability as guided by the relevant professional body and maintained in accordance with the policies of the department and St Helena.
ANNUAL APPRAISAL
The post holder will be appraised on an annual basis and the process will include a review of the past years performance, setting of aims and objectives for the coming year and identification of educational needs.
TRAINING
All staff will undertake such training as is necessary to perform the duties allocated and any mandatory requirements of St Helena. This will include mandatory training in line with your job role
QUALITY
St Helena aims towards maintaining the goodwill and confidence of its own staff and of the general public. To assist in achieving the objective it is essential that at all times, employees carry out their duties in a courteous and sympathetic manner.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of information collected and used throughout the NHS. The unauthorised use or disclosure of patient, staff or other personal information is a dismissible offence. The unauthorised disclosure of information could also result in a prosecution for an offence, or action for civil damaged, under GDPR.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND VUNERABLE ADULTS
All St Helena employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards (and promotes) the health and well-being of children and vulnerable adults. Familiarisation with and adherence to St Helena safeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees as is participation in related mandatory/statutory training.
VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS
St Helenas core values and behaviours will be embedded in our recruitment, training and development review and decision making process
Value
Behaviour
Respect
Always considering others
Working together
Finding strength in teamwork
Being passionate about hospice care
Caring in all that we do and provide
Showing appreciation for all
A thank you matters
Valuing conversation
Taking the time to be excellent communicators
This job description is not an exhaustive document but is a reflection of the current position. Details and emphasis may change in line with service needs and after consultation with the post holder.
