Care Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will:

Under the supervision of registered health care professionals/associate practitioner, within a delegated framework for agreed tasks, be aware of and able to address the basic, routine therapeutic, psychological and physical needs of a defined group of people.

As part of the healthcare team, provide the highest standards of care and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.

Support service users with personal care duties (bathing, toileting, dressing, support with meals, assist patients with their appearance).

Assist clinicians in supporting people to carry out everyday tasks.

Support in the delivery of the service in performing routine administration or housekeeping tasks.

Develop and maintain meaningful therapeutic relationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive and empathetic approach, providing and receiving routine information appropriately.

Ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone, eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity and courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.

Follow and ensure routine care is provided in accordance with well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans.

Undertake the physical aspects of care eg, moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care eg, hoists, wheelchairs etc, (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.

Be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan. That includes undertaking personal care, engaging with service users, documentation and raising issues of concern appropriately.

Participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing 24-hour/7-day care, (as appropriate to the role).

Be able to respond to verbal / physical aggression or challenging behaviour (including risk to self); recognising and responding to changes in presentation, including reporting to a clinician as required in order to maintain own personal safety and accessing support for service users. Respond appropriately to emergency situations.

Identify and manage risks, including assessment of moving and handling, using local policies and procedures. Is aware of the environment in which they work and how to maintain safety for themselves and others.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1.1 Care provision:

To deliver excellent levels of customer service to people, and support and report, in a timely and proactive manner, where these standards have not been met.

Under the supervision of a health care professional/ (associate practitioner if part of the team) for delegated tasks and in accordance with well established procedures etc, provide a range of routine personal care to meet the needs of people.

Prioritise own day-to-day delegated tasks/activities, refer and seek guidance/supervision on issues outside own level of competency from more senior health care practitioners.

Contribute towards and engage in the initial assessment/admission and development/implementation of clinical care packages/plans to help maximise service user recovery/rehabilitation potential. Contribute and engage with subsequent discharges.

Clearly, accurately and contemporaneously, contribute to care documentation and other service user information in written and electronic format. Be competent in basic IT skills.

Assist in meeting service user needs, eg, emotional, personal, dietary, environmental etc, ensuring their privacy, dignity, rights and choices are maintained at all times. Support individuals to self-manage their own health and social wellbeing and promote individuals positive self-esteem and sense of identity.

Able to respond to verbal / physical aggression, in order to maintain own personal safety and accessing support for service users.

Assist in the support of individuals who exhibit challenging behaviour or present a significant imminent risk to themselves or others. Recognise and respond to changes in their presentation, including reporting the issue to a registered health practitioner/associate practitioner as required. Respond appropriately to any emergency situations.

Ensure own actions reduce risks to health and safety and all possible steps are taken to help safeguard the welfare, safety and security of people by helping to identify, manage and appropriately report risks.

Use effective verbal/written communication at all times, understanding the communication need of others and adapting communication style accordingly. Actively listens and receives information, gives and acts on feedback.

Work with sensitivity and an understanding of issues experienced by service users and following training, using a trauma informed approach.

Ensure moving and handling of people/loads is carried out in a safe and effective manner in accordance with policy and training as directed by a registered health care professional/associate practitioner.

Work in a flexible and collaborative manner with others. Adapting to the needs of the service, despite any demands on attention.

Develop awareness of the roles and contributions of other care providers in and outside of the team, ensuring a respectful and active role towards those who are significant to the service user to play an active role in their care.

Support the Trusts culture of commitment to delivering quality services and outcomes.

Seek to improve own knowledge and understanding of health and social care services, particularly with regard to own area of work and service users.

Make use of opportunities for sharing good practice and learning.

Where the post is aligned with a development to Band 3 post, fully engage with the development plan.

Undertake any additional duties deemed appropriate to the role.

1.2 Working as part of a Team:

Work within other clinical areas as the clinical situation and staffing levels require.

As part of a team, deliver person centred care whilst meeting the service standards and objectives.

Provide and receive routine service user information, using tact, reassurance, empathy and persuasive skills as required.

Participate in ward/department/team meetings and support quality improvement.

Assist in projects, including audit and quality initiatives pertinent to the role as directed.

Assist in the orientation/induction of new support workers to enable them to develop the skills and knowledge required for their role.

Assist, together with the team, in the achieving/improving service/quality standards.

Be competent in using and ensure proper use of Trust, equipment, materials, property and resources.

Actively engage in good team working/building to facilitate effective relationships, cohesiveness and staff morale.

1.3 Managing Self:

Participate in clinical supervision to develop skills and knowledge of clinical care and practice and apply continuous reflection on own practice.

Undertake timely and appropriate mandatory training, study days, in-service training programmes and keep up to date with changes in operational procedures and developments in clinical practice.

Seek advice and support from your line manager, registered health care professional (or associate practitioner) whenever necessary.

Develop knowledge and basic understanding of and comply with all service/Trust policies and procedures and relevant legislation relevant to the clinical area. This could include The Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Equality Act, Childrens Act.

Be aware of own responsibility for ensuring safe infection prevention and control by using protective equipment, safe disposal of healthcare waste, performing hand hygiene, cleaning, disinfecting etc.

Promote a positive image of the Service/Trust.

Actively participate in the appraisal process using it as a positive means of improving self-awareness, development and work practice.

Act within own sphere of competence at all times as determined by the job description and skills set for the role.

1.4 Management Supervision and Support:

The post holder has no managerial supervision responsibility but is expected to be a good example to other HCSWs.

1.5 Financial Responsibility:

Use Trust resources efficiently and suggest efficiency savings to more senior staff.

Be aware of the safekeeping of Trust, service user, visitors etc, property. Any concern regarding misuse should be raised immediately with more senior staff.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

Person Specification

Experience

Desirable

• Able to evidence working in a caring environment or in a voluntary position.
• In dealing with the public.

Physical Attributes

Essential

• A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).

Training

Essential

• Must be willing/able to undertake all Trust mandatory training requirements, including the care certificate and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area.
• Must be willing/able to undergo development and training. (including a level 2 qualification in health and social care, if eligible) to enable progression to band 3 HCSW.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Must embrace Trust Values.
• Compassionate, caring and have a genuine desire to work for the NHS.
• Responsive attitude and approach.
• Dress appropriately for the environment
• Ability to commute between various sites or a current driving licence and access to a car (dependant on post) during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Qualifications

Essential

• Good standard of English and maths, i.e. ability to demonstrate entry level 3 upwards, including level 1 / 2 qualification, GCSE A - G/1 - 9.
• Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement.

Desirable

• Level 2 health and social care qualification.

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Understanding of importance of customer care skills.
• Basic IT/keyboard skills.
• Understands importance of confidentiality.
• Resilient and able to remain calm under pressure.
• Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users (as required).
• Non-judgemental, empathetic manner.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Able to engage fully in the development programme if identified as part of the post.

Desirable

• Language skills other than English.
• Have some understanding of people who have experienced ill health.

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

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Kendray Hospital

Doncaster Road

Barnsley

S Yorkshire

S70 3RD

Employer's website

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