Job responsibilities
Communication and Working Relationship
Establish and maintain effective communication with patients, families, carers and patient groups
Develop and maintain appropriate relationships, communication and teamwork with members of the multi-disciplinary team within the ward/department
Assist in the welcome and reception of patients into the clinical area
Demonstrate a variety of communication skills with patients who may have communication needs and difficulties e.g. confusion, dementia or other linguistic issues
Communicate effectively with all health, social care providers, voluntary sectors and emergency services
Maintain clear, concise and legible documentation adhering to standards in accordance with Trust policies and guidance
Ensure compliance with Trust policies and procedures regarding confidentiality of data and data security
Communicate with colleagues and members of the multi-disciplinary team clearly and effectively in written, verbal and electronic format (this may include accessing and updating patient records on central databases or electronic systems).
Participate in and contribute to local audits (e.g. hand hygiene audit)
Escalate concerns with regards to patients physical or psychological needs, or changes in their clinical condition to a registered practitioner within appropriate time frames
Effective use of communication skills when responding to patients, relatives or carers concerns and complaints, contributing to the ward, unit or department team action plan to achieve local resolution.
Ensures, in liaison with registered practitioners that interpreters are utilised as appropriate to support patients understanding and communication needs.
Ability to answer phone, effectively managing the enquiry
Clinical Responsibilities
Provide and deliver a high standard of compassionate nursing care recognising and meeting the specific needs of the patients
Following training and assessment, competently undertake clinical activities relevant to the post and clinical area as agreed
Acknowledge any limitations of competence in accepting care activities outside agreed limitations and inform a registered practitioner
Assist in planning, implementation and evaluation of individual programmes of care for patients
Document interventions performed and care delivered, ensuring that record is countersigned by a registered practitioner where appropriate.
Assist in the recording of fluid balance, reporting discrepancies to a registered practitioner.
Assist the patient with all aspects of their personal hygiene.
Assist in the safe moving and handling of all patients utilising appropriate equipment.
Assist the patient with their elimination needs; including bowel and urinary catheter care.
Provide care for patients with reduced mobility; to include skin integrity, pressure area care and measurement and application of anti-embolic stockings
Assist in ensuring patients nutritional needs are met.
Carry out clinical observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting abnormalities and changes in patients condition to the registered practitioner
Utilise early warning score indicators (e.g. NEWS) to recognise any patient deterioration/sudden change in condition, reporting immediately to the registered practitioner.
Prepare and undertake interventions consistent with evidence based practice, through applying knowledge and skills to determine nature of the clinical care intervention required to meet patients requirements for care.
Assist in the provision of patient centred enhanced care, utilising a range of therapeutic interventions based on the enhanced care risk assessment. Reporting any deterioration, or changes in condition to the registered practitioner.
Evaluate and review the effect of any interventions and the patients agreed plan of care and report outcomes of interventions to the registered practitioner.
Collect equipment for clinical procedures as directed by the registered practitioner. Safely dispose of equipment, post procedure, restocking where appropriate
Assist in safe and appropriate use and maintenance of equipment
Assist in the correct handling and dispatch of specimens
Safe disposal of soiled linen and clinical waste from the ward or department
Participate in the process of involving relatives and or carers in the provision of patient care
Contribute to the psychological and or spiritual needs of patients using diversionary and comfort measures as appropriate
Acts as a chaperone as per chaperone policy.
Assist in the performing of last offices for deceased patients.
Undertake the escort of patients to other departments and ward as instructed by a registered practitioner
Organise and prioritise time effectively
Undertake duties on different wards, departments or clinical areas as and when required by service demands or patient need.
Act in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children & vulnerable adults at all times. Is familiar with and adheres to, the LTHT safeguarding policies.
Other Responsibilities
Participate in the use of the Leeds Improvement Method to improve the quality and safety of the service.
Contribute to the prevention and control of infection in line with Trust guidelines
Assist in maintenance of accurate records and documentation, with regard to legal requirements, confidentiality and management of information.
Ensure that essential information on the patients condition and progress is recorded in accordance with Trust guidelines
Understand the need to maintain and respect patient confidentiality
Promote and value the rights, responsibilities and diversity of people ensuring religious and cultural needs are addressed
Education, Health, Safety and Security
Ensure safe keeping and transportation of patient property and valuables in accordance with Trust policy.
Recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and their carers and inform senior staff where this might be required
Ensure equipment and resources are used appropriately, efficiently and economically
Maintain a safe working environment, reporting incidents, accidents, complaints according to Trust policy.
Participate in in-service training
Complete annual mandatory and priority training requirements within agreed timescales
Participate in own and others annual performance appraisal
Supervision and leadership
Will be expected to lead a team of clinical support workers on a shift by shift basis
Will be expected to contribute to mentorship and appraisal of junior staff.
Raise concerns with regards to risk, danger, malpractice or wrong doing by following the LTHT Whistleblowing policy and supporting processes.
5. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
Patient-centred
Collaborative
Fair
Accountable
Empowered
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values
Additionally, the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:
Respect the contribution of all members within the team and the importance of working together to provide quality and safe patient care.
Commitment to contributing to a quality service in an efficient and effective manner.
Commitment to ensuring each person is entitled to respect, dignity, equal and human rights.
Recognises the importance of confidentiality.
Commitment to support, uphold and demonstrate the core values and behaviours of LTHT.
7. INFECTION CONTROL
The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.
8. HEALTH AND SAFETY / RISK MANAGEMENT
All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed security and safer working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system
9. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.
10. TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Frequent standing, sitting, walking, kneels and crouches to attend to patient needs. Responding to changes in patient condition.Patient Care (e.g. performing clinical skills).
Shift working.
Hand-eye coordination for tasks as necessary e.g. venepuncture
Moving & handling of patients and equipment on a daily basis:
Patients - 10-120kg (with lifting aids). Equipment - medical equipment, specialised mattresses (weight 1-20kg).
ii) MENTAL EFFORT:
Frequent mental effort/concentration required in relation to responding to and meeting patients nursing care needs (e.g. for 8-12 hour shift).
Follows routine and/or direction by registered practitioner
Verbal and written communication skills required
Concentration required when providing 1:1 enhanced care, or observing behaviours that may be unpredictable
iii) EMOTIONAL EFFORT:
Exposure to difficult situation including death and dying, distressed patients and relatives
