Job responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
To assist Registered Nurses in Caring for patients, and undertake simple and more complex dressing changes, including removal of suture / clips / drain and give basic wound care advice.
To assist Surgical Practitioners in theatre as a Minor Op. assistant. Fulfilling duties largely of a Circulating Nurse, but in addition, working within the sterile field by undertaking some of the roles of a Scrub Nurse.
To develop knowledge of the principles of wound healing and an understanding of the implications treatment.
Under supervision of registered nursing staff and share knowledge and skills with other health assistants
Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing, care recognising and meeting the specific needs of patients, Provide and prioritise own tasks under the direction of registered nurse
To prepare notes for clinics, ensuring necessary medical results and reports are present in the notes
To prepare examination rooms, ensuring rooms are restocked and trolleys are appropriately cleaned and equipped.
To set up clinics with correct equipment following department guidelines.
To assist patients when necessary e.g. undressing, chaperoning, providing emotional and physical support.
To assist doctors in clinic to prepare patients for procedure and help doctors as required.
To promote the smooth running of clinics, ensuring patients are kept informed when delays occur
To deal with queries and problems from patients and staff, both on the telephone and personally, in positive and helpful manner.
To report to the department manager accident / incidents and patients complaints
To undertake phlebotomy tasks when required
Ensure stock control through monitoring and reporting
Have shared responsibility for maintain the cleaning of clinical areas. To undertake the decontamination and cleaning of department equipment. To participate in department cleaning.
Maintain a safe environment in the department for patients / staff and visitors and inform they manage potential hazards. Comply with COSHH regulation and other Health Safety Legislation.
Be able to use the diagnostic equipment within the department
Be able to use any information technology that is in the department
Accurately complete any documentation within the department
To carry out clinical observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting all changed in patients condition to senior staff. Document and sign for all observations and care given with counter signature from a registered practitioner.
To support maintenance of fluid balance and dietary charts, recognising, recording and reporting adverse finding to senior staff.
Undertake the escort of patients to Theatre / other departments, under the direction of the registered nurse (when deemed competent)
To support nutritional needs of patients by assisting with feeding and drinking, reporting on concerns about dietary intake to senior staff.
An awareness of skin integrity over pressure points, recognising and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff
To recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and carers, and refer patients to senior staff
To maintain his/her own professional development, attending courses/further training to enhance and optimise his/her role within the work area.
To attend an assessors course to be able to assist with mentoring and assessing band 2 health care assistants, e.g. mentoring and assessing colleagues to achieve mandatory training such as Manual Handling and attaining Care certificates in addition to in house competencies such as minor op training.
To attend appraisal training to be able to complete appraisals for Band 2 colleagues.
To undertake link nurse support role relevant to clinical needs of unit and attend link nurse meetings and maintain resource folder and communicate changes using varied medium.
To promote and safeguard the well-being of patients, their families and colleagues
To share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all equipment on the ward and stock control
In the absence of a ward clerk undertake general ward clerk duties
Participate in unit research and audit work to include data collection
To respect the confidential information, in line with Trust policy Data Protection Act, obtained in the course of work and not disclose this information.
To be familiar with and adhere to Trust and Departmental policies and procedures mindful of responsibilities to self, colleagues and patients.
Report untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies to senior staff
Attend department meetings
To promote effective communications with all levels of staff and the whole multidisciplinary team and remain calm under pressure
Help in the implementation of dermatology of department policies and ensure Trust policies are adhered to
To maintain skills and mandatory training
To be familiar with Trust infection control, decontamination and cleanliness policies.
Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, be positive, Listen, learn and improve.
- Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.
- Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
- Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.
- Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
- Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust.
- Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post.
- Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk.
- Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.
- Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.
- Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.
- Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies and procedures.
- Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.
COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Patients and their support network
Ward Sister / Charge Nurses and all ward based nursing staff
Modern Matron
Educational Staff
Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Practitioners
Infection Control Team
Consultants in area of Responsibility
Housekeeping and domestic staff
Portering Staff
Patient Transport
