Job responsibilities
Main tasks & responsibilities:
Patient/customer care (both direct and indirect)
- Carry out tasks in delivering and supporting direct patient care with the support of a registered nurse. Able to demonstrate abilities and competencies gained to enable tasks to be delegated from professionally qualified staff.
- Able to perform more complex aspects of patient care, some with indirect supervision, eg, taking and recording or observations, dressings under asepsis, taking of venous blood samples as directed, in checking and preparing equipment and preparing patients for treatment, monitoring hygiene and nutritional needs.
- Keep clinical areas clean and tidy and maintain a safe, pleasant environment.
- Adhere to departmental and Directorate procedures for the use of supplies and equipment in order to promote the effective and efficient use of resources.
- Assist in the restocking of supplies and maintenance of equipment.
- Be aware of and adhere to the Trust Policies and Procedures.
- Be aware of and adhere to local Policies and Procedures.
- Under supervision contribute to and participate in the process of setting of goals and benchmarking standards of care.
- Identify and report clinical risks to the ward manager so that appropriate actioncan be taken in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.
- Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients, and visitorsin accordance with Trust policies and assist in any investigations as required.
- To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients.
People management
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- Participate in the Trusts appraisal and personal development plan schemes by meeting with the manager at least annually.
Communication
- Demonstrate politeness, courtesy, and sensitivity in dealing with patients, relatives and visitors, maintain good customer relations.
- Carry out assigned clerical tasks as directed by a registered nurse.
- Report untoward incidents and any other relevant information to a registered nurse immediately.
- Inform a registered nurse if asked to carry out a task which the individual does not have the training or capacity to do.
- Promote the corporate image of the Trust to all individuals, groups and organisations, both within the Trust and externally to the community at large.
- Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues.
- To work cohesively with all members of the ward team in ensuring that the very best services to patients are provided at all times.
Information management
- Use data which will contribute to the improvement of patient care.
- Use the Trust intranet/internet to enhance care and for professional development.
- Undertake relevant training for electronic information systems in place and under development.
- Participate in the collection of data audit and research data.
- Use relevant IT systems in the support of patient care.
Resource management
- To work together with the ward team to ensure effective use of resources
- To be aware of self-rostering in the clinical areas
Other duties
To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.
This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the postholder.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Trust mission
To be the leading national and international centre for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with heart and lung disease, creating and disseminating knowledge through research and education
Confidentiality
During the course of your employment, you may have access to, see or hear information of a confidential nature and you are required not to disclose such information, particularly that relating to patients and staff.
In order to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 you must not at any time use personal data held by the Trust for any unauthorised purpose or disclose such as data to a third party.
You must not make any disclosure to any unauthorised person or use any confidential information relating to the business affairs of the Trust, unless expressly authorised to do so by the Trust.
Smoking It is the policy of Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust that all people who work for the Trust or, while on its premises, obtain treatment or visit the Trust in any capacity, do so without exposure to tobacco smoke.
The Trust aims to provide appropriate support, in partnership with local Occupational Health and Primary Care Trust services, to ensure that Trust staff patients can access practical help and support in their attempts to stop smoking.
This policy is based on clear evidence that, in addition to the health risks taken by smokers themselves, others who breathe in exhaled tobacco smoke (passive smokers) have increased risk of disease.
The Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust is a non-smoking Trust.
Diversity
You are at all times required to carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the Trusts diversity policy and to ensure that staff receive equal treatment throughout their employment with the Trust.
Risk management
All staff have a responsibility to report all clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly and, when requested, to co-operate with any investigation undertaken.
Conflict of interests
You may not without the consent of the Trust engage in any outside employment. In accordance with the Trusts conflict of interest policy, you must declare to your manager all private interests, which could potentially result in personal gain as a consequence of your employment in the Trust. Interests that might appear to be in conflict should also be declared to your manager.
In addition, the NHS Code of Conduct and Standards of Business Conduct for NHS Staff (HSG 93/5) requires you to declare all situations where you or a close relative or associate has a controlling interest in a business (such as a private company, public organisation or other NHS voluntary organisation) or in any activity which may compete for any NHS contracts to supply goods or services to the Trust. You must therefore register such interests with the Trust, either on appointment or subsequently whenever such interests are gained. You should not engage in such interests without the written consent of the Trust, which will not be unreasonably withheld. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are not placed in a position that may give rise to a conflict between your private interest and your NHS duties.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED STAFF GROUPS
All staff are required to work in accordance with their professional groups code of conduct (eg NMC, GMC, DoH Code of Conduct for Senior Managers).
CRIMINAL RECORD BUREAU CHECKS (where relevant)
Any applicant who is short-listed for this post will be asked to complete a disclosure form as the post-holder will be required to have contact with vulnerable adults or persons under the age of 18. The successful candidate will be subject to a criminal record check from the Criminal Records Bureau prior to the appointment being confirmed. The disclosure will include details of cautions, reprimands, and final warnings, as well as convictions if applicable.
Core behaviours for all Trust staff All staff will commit to:
- Act with honesty and integrity at all times
- Demonstrate respect for others and value diversity
- Focus on the patient and internal and external customer at all times
- Make an active contribution to developing the service
- Learn from and share experience and knowledge
- Keep others informed of issues of importance and relevance
- Consciously review mistakes and successes to improve performance
- Act as ambassadors for their directorate and the Trust
- Be aware of the impact of their own behaviour on others
- Be discreet and aware of issues requiring confidentiality
In addition, all managers and supervisors will:
- Value and recognise the ideas and contributions of all team members
- Coach individuals and teams to perform to the best of their ability
- Delegate work to develop individuals in their roles and realise their potential
- Give ongoing feedback on performance, and effectively manage poor performance
- Provide support and guidance to all team members
- Encourage their team to achieve work/personal life balance
- Actively listen to comments/challenges and respond constructively
- Lead by example, setting high standards
- Ensure that there are sufficient resources for their team and rebalance priorities accordingly
- Provide a safe working environment
Infection and Prevention Control All Trust staff will:
- Act as a role model and champion for the highest standards of all aspects of infection prevention and control and implementation of all Infection Prevention and Control Trust policies and guidelines.
- Demonstrate respect for the roles and endeavours of others, in implementing good standards of hand hygiene.
- Value and recognise the ideas and contributions of colleagues in their endeavours to reduce the incidence of healthcare associated infection.
