Northampton General Hospital

Health Care Assistant

This job is now closed

Job summary

The post holder will work as an effective member of the team, providing high quality care for patients under the supervision of a registered health care professional. Promote good communication that supports the dignity, care and safety of the patients. Assist in maintaining a safe working environment and the provision of compassionate care.

The service users come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and the Health Care Assistant must be able to communicate effectively.

The post holder will be expected to work within a busy Oncology outpatient area with several busy clinics running daily. They will also be expected to work in the Emergency Assessment Bay (EAB).

The post holder will be an advocate for compliance with Trust values, policies and providing the Best Possible Care. Talbot Butler ward is a 24 bedded ward, treating Oncology and Haematology patients. The ward contains two, four bedded bays (1 male and 1 female), as well as 16 side rooms. Of these rooms, 6 are negative pressure rooms for patients with infections and 10 are positive pressure rooms for patients who are at risk.

Please note: There will be the potential to cross cover EAB, Haematology outpatients, Chemotherapy suite and Oncology outpatients, when needed to create collaborative working.

Main duties of the job

The Emergency Assessment Bay (EAB) runs as a triage service for all oncology and haematology patients who are undergoing active treatment for cancer. Our service is a 24/7 service allowing patients on SACT treatment to call the department and be triaged by a competent nurse who will advise the patient accordingly; whether that be to self-manage at home, or attend EAB. If patients do attend EAB they will be assessed and treated in line with their oncological or haematological needs. Talbot Butler Ward and EAB work closely with the outpatient areas in the directorate, including Radiotherapy, Haematology outpatients, Chemotherapy suite & Oncology outpatients.

We care for patients with complex oncological and haematological conditions and cancers. The Nurses administer a range of complex Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies (SACT) regimes to our patients and follow through with appropriate aftercare for any patients experiencing side effects as a result of their cancer treatments and those with non-malignant haematological disorders.

We are also a spoke centre for the Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant programme at Leicester Royal Infirmary, caring for patients both before and after stem cell transplants. Appropriate training will be provided.

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Date posted

21 December 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£22,383 a year Per annum / Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

265-5866780

Job locations

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Supporting Clinical & Patient Excellence:

Assist in the provision of nursing care under the supervision of a registered healthcare practitioner in relation to:

Safe manual handling of patients after establishing best method.

Maintain safety of patients, personal clothing and property in accordance with agreed policies related to security and confidentiality.

The collection of specimens, i.e. stool, urine, mid-stream urine, catheter specimen of urine, sputum and wound swabs.

Recognising the Equality and Diversity of patients, clients, relatives and multi- disciplinary groups by supporting ant-discriminatory practice & acknowledging patients personal beliefs and identity.

Maintaining a clean and tidy environment, including clinic areas, clinic rooms, store cupboards, kitchen, treatment room and equipment used for procedures.

Undertaking the cleaning of unit equipment, according to policy and procedure. Make effective use of the infection control policy.

Take and record vital signs as requested, i.e. temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure, oxygen saturation and Early Warning Score (EWS) on observation charts reporting any abnormalities/concerns to the registered healthcare practitioner.

Undertaking the cleaning of clinic areas, suction, oxygen, and prepare for clinics, obtaining any essential equipment.

Report any concerns / incidents relating to patient health, and safety of the environment to a registered nurse/ healthcare practitioner.

Provide clear and concise verbal communication to patients, clients and multi-disciplinary teams.

Provide clear and concise written documentation as per Trust guidance.

Communication:

Recognise and maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients and their records.

Ensure clarity in communicating with patients and their relatives as well as other team members and in answering questions within the sphere of ones own knowledge. Report changes in patients condition to the registered nurse on duty and participate in shift hand over to ensure effective continuity of care.

Contribute to the on-going support of patients and others significant to them, enabling patients to maintain their interests, identity and emotional well-being.

Welcome patients, their families and other visitors to the department. Introduce them to the facilities and services provided.

Answer the telephone on a clear, friendly, helpful and professional manner. Take any messages accurately and refer to a registered nurse as necessary.

Demonstrate a caring approach to patients, their families and visitors and to have good verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Leadership:

Lead by example with drive and enthusiasm, responding appropriately to the needs of patients, families and carers.

Set high standards of care for the department, including department cleanliness, safety etc., are maintained so that the patients experience is excellent.

Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and/or staff wellbeing.

People/Management Excellence:

Have the ability and knowledge to competently deal with an emergency situation.

Manage his/her time effectively and perform allocated tasks within a reasonable time frame, knowing when to seek support, assistance and advice from other team members.

Undertake general clerical duties that may be associated with the smooth running of the department. This will include data entry following training.

Assist in the maintenance of department equipment and stock levels, e.g. equipment, etc.

Professional Responsibilities:

At all times to adhere to statutory, mandatory, Trust guidance and the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England (2013). Adopted and adapted for use at NGH January 2014.

Attend department monthly meetings and Safety huddles.

Maintain own statutory, mandatory training, and divisional /directorate specific essential training.

Maintain and complete Band 2 competency framework.

Complete the HCA training programme.

Undertake the Care Certificate within the time frame of three months, successfully completing as soon as possible thereafter.

Be self-motivated and seek ways to flexibly extend own knowledge skills.

To have an awareness of nursing policies and procedures.

Identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.

Understand own limitations and know where to find advice and assistance.

Act as a role model for new starters in the area.

Adhere to the Trust uniform policy.

Quality Assurance and Monitoring:

Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area.

Identify and report any untoward incident/accident, problem and risk as soon as possible to the nurse in charge.

Corporate Responsibilities:

Act as a role model in customer service towards visitors to the hospital.

Facilitate any measures to help achieve directorate/divisional and Trust targets and agendas.

Share best practice through meetings, huddles and forums.

Other Information:

The post holder may be required to carry out other relevant duties as required.

The post holder will adhere to the duties specified under the Staff Responsibilities of the NHS Constitution in their day to day work and behaviours.

The post holder will be expected to aspire to the Values of the Trust in their day to day work and behaviours in order to support the Trust in achieving its Vision.

The post holder will adhere to, at all times, any relevant Professional or NHS Code of Conducts, legislation and Assurance Frameworks.

The post holder will make themselves familiar with, and adhere to, at all times, the policies and procedures of the Trust, and their area of work.

The post holder will be expected to work to any personal, Corporate, Divisional, Directorate and Departmental objectives and standards in order to provide an acceptable level of service.

The post holder will be expected to undertake training, including mandatory and role specific training, relevant to their role and ensure it is renewed as required.