Job responsibilities
- At all times treat patients, visitors, and colleagues with dignity and respect maintaining confidentiality and delivering a service which meets customer needs and satisfaction
- Work in a collaborative and co-operative manner with all members of the care team
- Assist the Registered Nurses in the delivery of direct and indirect patient care and treatment as requested, performing duties in a courteous, sympathetic, and professional manner and ensuring that no action or omission on your part is detrimental to the condition, safety, well-being and interest of the patients
- Assist and support patients in essential care needs providing a high quality of personalised care having regard for individuals religious and cultural customs and beliefs.
- At all times maintain accurate and timely communication and documentation contributing to daily reports of patient activity and progress and actively reporting any difficult or problematic aspects of patient care delivery to a Registered Nurse.
- Promote a safe working environment at all times, assisting in the safe use and maintenance of equipment, reporting untoward occurrences in line with Hospital policy, and informing a Registered Nurse of any behaviour by others which is perceived to be harmful, violent, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminating of others
- Demonstrate commitment to training and development by taking every reasonable opportunity to maintain and update knowledge, through mandatory training and the employee appraisal process
- Always acknowledge any self-limitations of competence in accepting assigned direct patient care activities by informing a Registered Nurse.
You are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness standards within your clinical area during each working shift to ensure that patients, visitors and staff are protected against acquiring a healthcare associated infection. In line with infection prevention protocols you must report any related problems which you are unable to resolve to the person in charge of the shift to ensure high standards of cleanliness and hygiene within the ward environment. Some of the associated duties of this are:
- Removal of anti-embolic stockings skin inspection daily
- Assist patient with/undertake undressing/dressing
- General tidying of patients room including making bed
- Changing clothing and bedding
- Ensure a safe environment at all times undertaking the following duties as part of your role:
- Wash and dry commodes after each patient use
- Wash and dry intravenous infusion poles after use and store appropriately
- Clean up spillages, wash and dry beds/tables/lockers in absence of housekeeping staff
- Prepare the room for the patient post theatre
- Collect patients from theatre as required
- Chaperone the patient as required with the RMO/Consultant
Contribute to the Registered Nurses assessment of a patient by undertaking a number of investigations and reporting findings to the nurse, including, but not limited to, patient weight, fluid balance, patient height, temperature, NEWS scoring, respirations, blood pressure, pain score, measuring and charting urine as appropriate, removal of the Venflon as required
Assist and encourage mobility in dependent patients and escort patients requiring services from alternative departments under the direction of a registered nurse
Assist patients with routine hygiene measures, i.e. Undertaking oral hygiene requirements, taking care of their hair if required, assisting them to appropriately use toilet facilities
To ensure a safe environment at all times by completing the following:
- Ensure equipment is clean and well maintained and report any repairs required
- Identify hazards within the patient working environment and report to a registered nurse
- Wash and dry commodes after each patient use
- Wash and dry intravenous infusion poles after use and store appropriately
- Clean up spillages, wash and dry beds/tables/lockers in absence of housekeeping staff
- Prepare the room for the patient post theatre
- Chaperone the patient as required with the RMO/Consultant
- Contribute to the emotional support of patients who may be anxious, upset, frightened or worried for any reason
- As required collect required blood from the laboratory completing the correct documentation in pathology as required
- Answering telephone, taking messages and referring calls as appropriate and adhering to confidentiality requirements
- Participate in departmental meetings
- Communicating with patients about time of theatre/tests etc at the request of a Registered Nurse
- Participate in discussions over evaluating care delivered with the Registered Nurse
- Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, document care as and when required, using the appropriate documentation
- Support positive team working and participate in the maintenance of a clean, tidy and healthy department
- Participate in stock maintenance of the ward area
This job description is not exhaustive although it should relate to your contract of employment.
The job description outlines the current position and will be subject to annual review in the light of developments within the service in consultation with the post holder.
