Community Healthcare Assistant (Higher Level)

Job responsibilities

Duties:

To maintain accurate records, which are confidential, contemporaneous, and legible, with all care given documented at the time.. The post holder will be expected to participate in standard of patients records by audit or peer review and have a regular open discussion with team members.

Make appropriate records in the multi-disciplinary patient file, which will then be counter-signed by a registered nurse.

To report and record incidents and near misses relating to health, safety, security, fire, physical violence, aggression and verbal abuse.

To have a working knowledge and be responsible for ensuring nurses and patients equipment is in safe working order, disposed of or returned when no longer required as per Policy and to inform Line Manager if any problems occur.

To provide holistic evidence-based/best practice care to patients in accordance with National and organisation approved policies/procedures and individual care plans.

To undertake specific clinical tasks as delegated by members of the Nursing team having once undertaken relevant training and deemed competent .Working in line with the Livewell SouthWest Delegation to band 3 and 4 support workers guidance.

To provide appropriate support and advice to family and carers, demonstrating tact and sensitivity in dealing with complex and sensitive information and negotiating a positive outcome.

To recognise and respond to any changes in patient care situations, which might include risks to self and others including adult and child protection concerns. The post holder must inform the most appropriate professional at the earliest opportunity. Be conversant with the safeguarding adult and child protection procedures and policies.

To ensure privacy, dignity and human rights are respected for patients and Carers.

To be willing to participate actively in appropriate in-service training programmes which the manager believes to be of benefit to the individual. To assume co-responsibility for maintaining skills and knowledge levels.

The post holder is required to comply with all infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate)

To contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of standards.

To work within challenging and unpredictable environments e.g. patients homes which may have constraints and require adaptability.

To provide basic education and continuing support to patients, family and carers.

To identify areas of concern regarding practice and communicate to the Caseload Holder.

Management & Leadership:

To undertake designated duties as required in line with the Delegation to band 3 and 4 support worker guidance.

Only undertake work which is within own competence and to identify any work required to be undertaken by more senior staff

To identify and take responsibility in the maintaining of clinical competencies in line with the job role. Ensuring these are adequately support by clinical sign off. Identifying areas where this may be required.

To be responsible for organizing own time management on a daily basis in line with caseload demands, using own initiative and be flexible when organising own workload on a day to day basis, which is often unpredictable in order to respond to the needs of the service.

To maintain and Preserve confidentiality at all times, and be aware of the Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records and Consent for Treatment.

Complete on time and submit all necessary forms, documentation, including IT data and forward as required by the manager/organisation.

To complete and submit any necessary documentation as required by the District Nurse/Caseload Holder and District Nursing Manager.

Monitoring and ordering of stock levels and to utilise resources economically and effectively and promote cost consciousness throughout the service.

To share knowledge and information to promote a cohesive team.

To act as a role model for all staff and students demonstrating clinical skills and high standards of practice and professional conduct.

To participate in team activities so as to develop and consolidate a cohesive and supportive team ensuring openness within the team.

The post holder will be required to use a computer, being responsible for timely recording patient activities for IT data collection, dealing with e-mail queries, stock/equipment ordering.

Communication:

To demonstrate effective communication with patients, staff and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. When communicating with patients it should be at the appropriate level for patients to understand such as patients suffering from terminal illness, dementia, disability, visually impairment and/or hearing impairment.

Able to communicate the role and eligibility criteria of the District Nursing Service.

Maintain accurate and up to date patient records and inform other professionals about changes in patients condition.

Act as a patient advocate as required ensuring individual needs, preferences and choices are delivered by the Service.

The Post Holder to be supplied with mobile telephones and lone working devices for work purposes and be expected to abide by Livewell Southwest Lone working policy including the Operational procedure for lone working devices.

Education & Training:

Maintain own clinical expertise by attending meetings, study days and in-service training and learn new specialist skills required for service development. To maintain an up to date personal competency portfolio.

To attend and participate in meetings as negotiated within the team and to provide relevant timely feedback.

To participate in Reflective Practice, Practice Supervision and Appraisals and line management supervision as per policy .

Participate in the provision of community experience for all nurse learners and other professionals as appropriate.

To be encouraged to organise informal training sessions on behalf of the team using a variety of resources.

Travelling in all weather in heavy traffic to unknown areas on a daily basis, in the dark and adverse weather conditions.

Emotional Effort:

At every patient contact the post holder deals with emotional issues of patients and relatives.

At each visit staff may need to care for Patients with degenerative terminal conditions and their carers who may be children or adults within their home.

Need to deal with highly distressing and difficult family situations frequently such as grief, crisis care management with unpredictable care conditions.

Mental Effort:

Continuously interrupted, multi-tasking e.g. writing notes, answering mobile telephone call. Staff to carry a mobile telephone and are expected to be available to other staff and professionals and can be interrupted at any time.

Driving in all weather in heavy traffic to unknown areas on a daily basis, in the dark and adverse weather conditions.

Physical Effort:

Use of hoists and other lifting equipment often in a confined space in the patients home on difficult floor surfaces e.g. carpet.

At each visit staff risk assess the need to move light furniture in patients home to allow nursing procedures to be carried out often within a confined space.

Regularly carry and transport District Nurse equipment e.g. Nursing bag, documentation Laptop, phlebotomy equipment, sphygmomamometers and blood sugar machines.

Driving for periods of time between patients homes and requiring lifting nursing bags and equipment from the car boot on each visit.

The job involves several times in a day exposure and contact to highly unpleasant working condition such as secondary smoking, bodily fluids, including sputum, vomit, blood, urine and faeces, soiled linen, fleas, lice, scabies poor hygiene standards and communicable diseases.

Occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression and dangerous pets.

Daily working in cramped conditions within patients own homes.

Frequently exposure to heat and cold in patients homes.

Mobile phones may not work in areas where there is poor network reception. Staff will utilise lone working devices.

Knowledge & Experience:

Essential

• Willingness to learn
• Awareness of Policies/Standards
• Maintain Professional development
• Evidence of recent study

Desirable

• Commitment to life-long learning

Skills & Abilities:

Essential

• Effective communication and interactive skills including oral, written and IT
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to use initiative and work independently
• Negotiation skills
• Effective communication and interactive skills including oral, written and IT
• Good time management
• Organisational skills
• Liaison skills
• Evidence of good multi-disciplinary working
• To be able to respond to travel between clinic sites during the working day

Desirable

• Wound Care including removal of sutures/clips, packing of wounds and compression therapy,
• Continence Management
• Community Nursing Assistant competency skills
• Teaching Skills

Behavioural Attributes & Competencies:

Essential

• Familiar with and committed to the principles and values of the NHS.
• Demonstrate commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes.
• Consistently put clinicians at the heart of decision making.
• Creates and fosters a culture of openness, honesty, integrity and inclusiveness.
• Values diversity and difference.
• Uses evidence to make improvements and seeks out innovation.
• Demonstrates commitment to partnership working.
• Flexible approach to working.
• Attention to detail.
• Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others.
• Outcomes focused.
• Ability to act as a champion for patients/carers and their interests, ensuring the patients voice has an impact on service developments.

Experience

Essential

• 2 years experience in a nursing care environment

Desirable

• Vocational Qualification III in healthcare
• Teaching skills

Qualifications

Essential

• 5 GCSEs (grades A-C) or equivalent to Vocational Qualification III in Care (or evidence of working towards) or able to demonstrate the skills knowledge & ability to work to this level
• The post holder will need to travel and attend to service users based across Plymouth and other geographical areas. Full and valid driving license and access to a car for work purposes is required. We will consider reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act for those with a disability who are successful for the post

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).