Senior Healthcare Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Patient Care

Undertake a range of delegated and specific clinical skills for patients that demonstrate an enhanced level of competency /technical expertise documented in the plan of care (see specific clinical skills).

Prepare patients, families/carers and the environment for clinical activities supporting and reassuring patients and their families/carers and preparing specific equipment as necessary.

Monitor closely patients having undergone a clinical activity ensuring their safety, comfort and well being.

To assist all patients of all genders with their personal care needs, empowering patients, and/or families/carers and actively encouraging participation. This may involve maintaining hygiene needs for individuals such as helping patients to wash and dress themselves and assisting with toileting needs, maintaining privacy and dignity at all times.

To asses and monitor the patients skin integrity and to report and document immediately any changes or concerns in their condition.

To demonstrate clinical competence in order to undertake minor dressings and treatment and as specified in the plan of care and in consultation with the registered practitioner.

To actively encourage all patients, families/carers to share the responsibility for maintenance of their health and to promote healthy living where appropriate and identified as part of the care plan.

Assist patients to mobilise safely taking account of developmental/physical needs, using equipment and techniques as prescribed and recorded in plan of care and contribute to the falls and moving and handling risk assessment.

Assist in the care of a patient requiring end of life care in accordance within their spiritual and cultural needs.

Assist as appropriate in the support of families/carers of patients receiving end of life care.

Recognise when a patients condition changes and seek advice and expertise from registered practitioners in accordance with Trust policy.

Contribute to, understand and report identified patient risk assessments, e.g. nutritional assessment scores, slips, trips and falls assessment, e.g. Humpty Dumpty, use of medical devices as appropriate in line with Trust policy.

To perform clinical observations (following appropriate assessment of competence) accurately recording using agreed electronic National Early Warning Systems such as SEND and report and escalate any concerns appropriately by reporting to the registered practitioner immediately.

Participate in the initial assessment of patient needs under the direct supervision of a registered practitioner.

To assist patients to meet their food and fluid intake giving attention to special diets, supplements, enteral feeding and cultural requirements and to recognise and understand the importance of adequate nutrition and hydration. In order to avoid malnutrition ensure an age appropriate nutritional assessment is undertaken for example, STRONG/MUST. All food, nutritional supplements and fluid intake should be recorded accurately as required.

Seek support for self and others following an untoward incident.

Report and raise concerns in relation to poor practice, attitude and behaviour of any health care professional through appropriate channels.

Undertake patient transfer and escort duties between departments as appropriate and as per policy.

Recognise where a patient or family member/carer is becoming agitated, disorientated or appears non-compliant with care or treatment, treatment, support colleagues and report immediately to a registered practitioner.

Respond swiftly to individuals who require immediate assistance, are in pain, distressed, reporting to a registered practitioner.

Competently obtain specimens as requested such as Mid-Stream Urine, stool, sputum, Urine analysis, hospital acquired infections and any more specialist specimen as directed by the registered practitioner ensuring accurate labelling and transportation as per Trust policy.

• Demonstrate good understanding of Safeguarding Children, the Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the Registered Nurse or registered care professional as required

**Please see full Job Description for more details**

Person Specification

Values and Behaviours

Essential

• Shows pride in the quality of care they provide for patients and learning from successes and setbacks
• Evidence of commitment to the Oxford University Hospitals' vision and values

Clinical Practice

Essential

• Significant experience of the NHS and/or health/child care and an interest in the speciality with knowledge of wider issues relating to health care
• Makes a positive contribution as a team player and demonstrates awareness of importance of working as part of a team
• Able to deliver a high standard of care for patients and always striving to improve on what you do through change and innovation
• Able to communicate effectively with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• Up to date knowledge and insight into specialist area.

Education, training and qualif

Essential

• To demonstrate literacy and numeracy
• Motivated to develop knowledge and skills and to undertake self-development
• Evidence of Care Certificate or Apprenticeship or Level 3 Diploma in Health related subject.

Planning and Organisation

Essential

• Able to prioritise and to organise and motivate oneself and others to achieve delegated tasks

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Churchill Hospital

Old Road

Oxford

OX3 7LE

Employer's website

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)