Job summary
The Senior Health Care Assistant is a member of the
ward/department team who implements prescribed care and/or undertakes some
higher-level clinical activities as directed by a registered nurse. The main
dimensions of the role are:
To support the professionally
qualified staff and work under their direction to provide quality nursing care,
therapy activity, treatments and procedures directly to patients
To mentor and supervise and
teach Health Care Assistants
To lead and co-ordinate a range
of clinical and non-clinical tasks and responsibilities undertaken by Health
Care Assistants
To support the ward and therapy department staff to provide a
high quality service
Main duties of the job
Key Duties:
Assist with the maintenance of patient hygiene
Washing and bathing the patient
in bed / at bedside and in bathroom, using hoists as appropriate
Care of patients mouth; give
mouthwash, clean teeth and care of dentures
Care of hair washing in
bathroom, combing and brushing
Care and cleaning of nails
Assist with feeding of patients
Assist with patients to choose
appropriate food and drink
Serving of patient meals and
cleaning up afterwards
Assist individual patients with
feeding
Report on patients intake and
record on chart as appropriate
Preparation of beverages and water jugs as required
Assist with patients elimination needs
Giving of bedpans and urinals
Collecting/cleaning of bedpans
and urinals
Assisting patients to use
commodes
Cleaning commodes
Escort of patients to and from
lavatory
Care of incontinent patients
Record outputs where appropriate
Collecting and testing urine samples
About us
Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Our objectives are simple:
- Best services for local people
- Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
- Best use of resources
- Best people
Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Aspects of care
Assisting with the recording and
safe keeping of patients property/valuables
Moving and repositioning of
patients
Dressing/undressing of patients
Making of occupied and
unoccupied beds, tying up of dirty linen bags and despatching to laundry
Cleaning and tidying examination
rooms/clinic areas
Replenishing of linen or stock
cupboards
Assist with patients
mobilisation, ensuring safe environment and using appropriate techniques
Accompany able patients to other
departments
Assist with occupational,
physiotherapy and recreational activities
Assist in the care of relatives
and visitors
Assist with the care of patients
in isolation
Chaperone professional staff
where appropriate
Measuring blood pressure, body
temperature, pulse rate and respiration and completing the necessary
documentation
Measuring patients height and
weight as directed by a registered nurse and recording on the appropriate
documentation
Be involved in patient booking
in/admission procedures by introducing patients to ward/department area as
directed by registered nurse
Be adaptable and flexible to
working in various areas of the department/ward as required
Assist the multi professional
team to prepare and support patients undergoing treatment and/or investigation
maintaining privacy and dignity at all times
Assisting in the care of the
dying patient, for example bathing, feeding
Assisting in preparing deceased patients for the mortuary
Communication and relationships
The Healthcare Assistants
relationship with both staff and patients should be discreet, bearing in mind
that all information regarding patients must be kept confidential
Report to the nurse in charge of
the ward/department matters of concern relating to patients and the
ward/department environment
Answer the telephone, refer to
appropriate person
Attend to ward/department
reports and meetings when appropriate
Be aware of the need to greet
visitors to the ward/department and ascertain the purpose of their visit
Demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of health and safety at work in order to maintain a safe
environment
Undertake duties outside your
working area (e.g. delivery and collection) to assist in maintaining good
communications
Participate in patient handovers
Clinical Support
Where training has been provided
and competence assured undertake and monitor baseline and routine
patient/client observations, blood glucose, peripheral oxygen saturation and
visual acuity. Reporting any changes in a timely manner to a qualified nurse
and ensuring these are accurately recorded in patient records
Apply a simple range of
dressings using both clean and aseptic techniques
Undertake ECG recordings
Collect blood samples
(peripheral or venous) ad directed by a qualified nurse, ensuring its safe
storage, transport or disposal as appropriate
Undertake insertion of cannula
Undertake female catheterisation
Removal of simple wound drains
Removal of sutures and clips
Care for a small group of
patients without direct supervision but under the direction of a registered
Undertake an associate link/link nurse role where appropriate
Cleaning
Maintain tidiness and cleanliness of areas and equipment as
instructed
Clerical duties
Undertake a range of clerical duties service, this may involve:
Reception/telephone duties
Basic computer skills
Obtaining case notes/x-rays
Filing
Assist in the preparation of medical and nursing notes for ward
rounds/clinics
Job description
Job responsibilities
Aspects of care
Assisting with the recording and
safe keeping of patients property/valuables
Moving and repositioning of
patients
Dressing/undressing of patients
Making of occupied and
unoccupied beds, tying up of dirty linen bags and despatching to laundry
Cleaning and tidying examination
rooms/clinic areas
Replenishing of linen or stock
cupboards
Assist with patients
mobilisation, ensuring safe environment and using appropriate techniques
Accompany able patients to other
departments
Assist with occupational,
physiotherapy and recreational activities
Assist in the care of relatives
and visitors
Assist with the care of patients
in isolation
Chaperone professional staff
where appropriate
Measuring blood pressure, body
temperature, pulse rate and respiration and completing the necessary
documentation
Measuring patients height and
weight as directed by a registered nurse and recording on the appropriate
documentation
Be involved in patient booking
in/admission procedures by introducing patients to ward/department area as
directed by registered nurse
Be adaptable and flexible to
working in various areas of the department/ward as required
Assist the multi professional
team to prepare and support patients undergoing treatment and/or investigation
maintaining privacy and dignity at all times
Assisting in the care of the
dying patient, for example bathing, feeding
Assisting in preparing deceased patients for the mortuary
Communication and relationships
The Healthcare Assistants
relationship with both staff and patients should be discreet, bearing in mind
that all information regarding patients must be kept confidential
Report to the nurse in charge of
the ward/department matters of concern relating to patients and the
ward/department environment
Answer the telephone, refer to
appropriate person
Attend to ward/department
reports and meetings when appropriate
Be aware of the need to greet
visitors to the ward/department and ascertain the purpose of their visit
Demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of health and safety at work in order to maintain a safe
environment
Undertake duties outside your
working area (e.g. delivery and collection) to assist in maintaining good
communications
Participate in patient handovers
Clinical Support
Where training has been provided
and competence assured undertake and monitor baseline and routine
patient/client observations, blood glucose, peripheral oxygen saturation and
visual acuity. Reporting any changes in a timely manner to a qualified nurse
and ensuring these are accurately recorded in patient records
Apply a simple range of
dressings using both clean and aseptic techniques
Undertake ECG recordings
Collect blood samples
(peripheral or venous) ad directed by a qualified nurse, ensuring its safe
storage, transport or disposal as appropriate
Undertake insertion of cannula
Undertake female catheterisation
Removal of simple wound drains
Removal of sutures and clips
Care for a small group of
patients without direct supervision but under the direction of a registered
Undertake an associate link/link nurse role where appropriate
Cleaning
Maintain tidiness and cleanliness of areas and equipment as
instructed
Clerical duties
Undertake a range of clerical duties service, this may involve:
Reception/telephone duties
Basic computer skills
Obtaining case notes/x-rays
Filing
Assist in the preparation of medical and nursing notes for ward
rounds/clinics
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in Direct Care, or equivalent Key Skills literacy/numeracy or equivalent
Desirable
- First Aid Qualification
- ECG, Venepuncture,
- Senior Health care Support worker Programme
- NVQ Assessor qualification
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience as a HealthCare Assistant in caring for acutely unwell patients requiring initial assessment on admission
- Knowledge of confidentiality
Desirable
- Awareness of Health and Safety.
- Awareness of Clinical Risk
- Knowledge of principles of speciality
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Reliable and punctual
- Self-awareness in terms of assessing own knowledge and competence and understanding own boundaries
- Self-awareness in terms of recognising the impact of their behaviour and others.
- Able to present a professional image appropriate to the working environment.
- Enthusiastic.
- Ability to cope with stress.
- Team worker.
Desirable
- Ability to identify personal development needs.
- Ability to adapt to new situations
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Able to communicate (written and verbally) in the English Language
- Proficient in reading and writing in the English language
- Able to mentor and supervise other HCAs in the working environment
- ECG recording Venepuncture
- Attention to detail.
Desirable
- Keyboard/computer knowledge/skills
- Knowledge of OASIS/PAS and use of ICE
- Ability to identify personal development needs.
- Ability to adapt to new situations
Other
Essential
- Must be flexible with shift patterns and internal rotation.
- Conscious of appropriate image and self-presentation to suit the department
- Must be prepared to attend meetings out of hours if necessary.
- Confidentiality
- May be required to work in other departments as required.
- Due to the nature of the post Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Clearance is required
- Fitness and mobility in order to be physically active throughout a shift and undertake manual handling activities.
Desirable
- Keyboard/computer skills and knowledge
- Ability to respond to the changing demands of the role.
- Knowledge of Medical Equipment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in Direct Care, or equivalent Key Skills literacy/numeracy or equivalent
Desirable
- First Aid Qualification
- ECG, Venepuncture,
- Senior Health care Support worker Programme
- NVQ Assessor qualification
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience as a HealthCare Assistant in caring for acutely unwell patients requiring initial assessment on admission
- Knowledge of confidentiality
Desirable
- Awareness of Health and Safety.
- Awareness of Clinical Risk
- Knowledge of principles of speciality
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Reliable and punctual
- Self-awareness in terms of assessing own knowledge and competence and understanding own boundaries
- Self-awareness in terms of recognising the impact of their behaviour and others.
- Able to present a professional image appropriate to the working environment.
- Enthusiastic.
- Ability to cope with stress.
- Team worker.
Desirable
- Ability to identify personal development needs.
- Ability to adapt to new situations
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Able to communicate (written and verbally) in the English Language
- Proficient in reading and writing in the English language
- Able to mentor and supervise other HCAs in the working environment
- ECG recording Venepuncture
- Attention to detail.
Desirable
- Keyboard/computer knowledge/skills
- Knowledge of OASIS/PAS and use of ICE
- Ability to identify personal development needs.
- Ability to adapt to new situations
Other
Essential
- Must be flexible with shift patterns and internal rotation.
- Conscious of appropriate image and self-presentation to suit the department
- Must be prepared to attend meetings out of hours if necessary.
- Confidentiality
- May be required to work in other departments as required.
- Due to the nature of the post Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Clearance is required
- Fitness and mobility in order to be physically active throughout a shift and undertake manual handling activities.
Desirable
- Keyboard/computer skills and knowledge
- Ability to respond to the changing demands of the role.
- Knowledge of Medical Equipment
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
