Job responsibilities
To work in accordance with the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Core Values
To maintain a safe environment for Critical Care patients
To work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team
To develop enhanced critical care skills in line with the unit HCSW competency framework
To support registered nurses in delivering a high standard of nursing care
To maintain own competency through ongoing development in accordance with PDP
To deliver training and buddy to new Band 2 HCSW's
To support the rehabilitation coordinator
To maintain medical device competency by attending annual updates and identifying learning needs.
To attend daily handovers to get an overview of the patients on the unit, their diagnosis and acuity.
To attend daily handover to be aware of any safety issues.
Work collaboratively with members of the MDT
Communicate with relatives and patients and other team members in a sensitive and caring manner
Accurately take and promptly pass on oral and written messages
Maintain full, accurate and legible documentation according to Trust guidelines
To enter relevant data on the ICCA system under the supervision of a registered nurse
Act at all times in a respectful manner that protects and promotes patients dignity and modesty
Communicate effectively with other hospital personnel thus promoting collaborative working.
Report incidents to the Nurse in Charge and complete relevant documentation in line with Trust policy.
Admit and discharge patients on the patient electronic records system.
Support patients to complete the patients survey feedback on discharge from the unit
Responsible for own time management
Under the direction of the Nurse in Charge plan the care for Level 1 patients.
Under the direction of the Nurse in Charge plan for the patients discharge and at the Nurse in Charges discretion transfer the patient to the ward
Ensure that all equipment is clean and ready for use
To collect data to inform research and quantify patient care.
To maintain IT skills and work within the governance of the trust values.
To enter observations onto the ICCA system so that it can be counter signed by the registered nurse.
Under the direct supervision of a registered nurse the post holder will be responsible for:
Providing and delivering a high standard of nursing care to level 1, 2 and 3 patients
To care for patients receiving oxygen therapy, understand the various methods of oxygen delivery and the essential observations of the patient receiving oxygen therapy
Following training and completion of the arterial blood gas sampling competency, use blood gas machine as per unit policy, to process the sample and report results immediately to the registered nurse.
On successful completion of the relevant competency, assist registered nurse with dressing changes for the arterial lines and monitoring of line sites for signs of infection.
Following relevant training and completion of competency, assist with patients receiving renal replacement. Prepare and prime haemofilter for use and dismantle and decontaminate filter after use.
Following relevant training and completion of competency insert cannula in identified patients, maintain this competency by seeking alternative areas of practice to perform and demonstrate this skill if necessary
Following relevant training perform venepuncture and blood sampling on identified patients.
Following relevant training to assemble and dismantle an invasive ventilator and be able to perform self test according to hospital policy
Recording accurate vital signs on either the ICCA or eObs system
Accurately perform a 12 Lead ECG
Connecting the patients to ECG monitoring and have a basic understanding of the alarm settings
On completion of the competency and annual updates perform capillary blood glucose levels
Perform routine urinalysis
Request investigations on the Ordercomms system
Ability to recognize deterioration in a patient's condition and escalate the concerns to the registered nurse
Assist the MDT in an emergency situation
Assist the medical staff with the insertion of invasive lines
Undertake personal care for critically ill patients including bed baths, mouth, eye and catheter care
Assist high dependency patients to achieve their nutritional needs by helping them to eat, and in the event of not eating offering them alternatives such as supplementary drinks. Perform swallowing assessment if completed training and deemed competent. Maintain accurate food and fluid charts on ICCA
Promote early mobilization by supporting patient's to get out of bed, partake in short walks using relevant aids as identified by the physio team.
To help to reduce the incidence of delirium by reducing noise levels in the unit, orientating the patient to day, date and time, making entries into the patient diary, supporting patients who are in a confused state.
Assist in the movement and positioning of all levels of patients
To meet the needs of patients during End of Life care, maintaining privacy and dignity at all times
Collect urine, sputum and faecal specimens in the appropriate transit bottles and dispatch to the lab
Clean bed spaces after discharge of patients and set up the bed space for admission, this will include the setting up of the ventilator once assessed to be competent to do so.
Respect patients property this will include the accurate documentation of property on admission and signed out on discharge responsible for own protection by adhering to national and trust guidelines regarding the use of PPE.
Attend governance and MDT meetings
Identify own learning needs with regards to education
Maintain own clinical expertise by attending identified training highlighted in annual career conversation and essential elements of job description
Adhere to local policies, national guidelines
To partake in developing QI projects.
To ensure that mandatory training is up to date
Highlight any concerns about health and wellbeing to the Senior Nursing Team
To ensure that incidents are reported using the trust system and highlight these to the Senior Nursing Team
Ensure that competencies are up to date and revisited if indicated
Be accountable for all equipment and resources in the designated area and report any related problems to the appropriate manager.
Provide medical device training to Band 2 HCSWs
Complete Medical Device competencies on an annual basis.
Ensure that you are using the correct equipment for the job and attend appropriate training where indicated.
Use resource effectively.
Act as a good role model to other members of the MDT
To work alongside new HCSW staff in order to facilitate their development
Give constructive feedback to HCSW staff to enable them to progress and identify future learning needs.
Identify and act upon poor performance in the clinical area
To attend clinical supervision as required
Maintain documentation on the ICCA system
Signpost new staff to resources within and outside of the unit.
Maintain clear concise contemporaneous documentation.
Collect and record data accurately in accordance with trust guidelines
