Job responsibilities
Job title: Healthcare
Assistant
Responsible to: Ward Manager / Charge Nurse
Responsible for: no one, however the post holder is responsible for performing all the
key responsibilities listed here with minimal supervision and for presenting
themselves and their work effectively
Basic function
The
post holder will be responsible for the provision of nursing care to palliative
care patients and for maintaining a homely, supportive and stimulating in-patient
environment in order to improve or sustain, as far as possible, the patients
quality of life.
The
post holder will work as member of the ward team and, with supervision, assist
the trained nurse in all aspects of basic nursing care.
Key Responsibilities:
Patient
Care
Ensure
that the palliative care unit is run in an effective and caring manner in order
to promote a happy and secure environment for patients, relatives, visitors and
staff.
Keep
the ward tidy and promote high standards at all times.
Adhere
to good infection control practice as per policy.
Assist
patients with their personal care and advise on health needs within the limits
of the role, seeking advice as necessary from members of the multi-disciplinary
team
Assist
in admitting patients to the ward, which includes receiving patients from the
ambulance and helping them settle into the ward, offering tea and coffee,
orientating to the layout and ward routine.
Help
patients at mealtimes, in line with their specific needs as identified in the
care plan.
Take
patients to the garden, tea bar, etc.
Ensure
at all times the safe custody of patients property, as per St Josephs policy.
Maintain
a good level of nursing stock and equipment and assist with ordering, advising
the registered nurse when these are running low.
Sit
with dying patients.
Escort
patients to outpatient appointments and, whilst out, continue to be the
patients advocate, particularly if they cannot advocate for themselves.
Understand
the safe handling and storage of oxygen.
Communication
Have
good communication skills and be able to use the telephone.
Read,
familiarise themselves with and follow the prescribed plan of care, writing
clearly in the daily nursing reports on care given, and ensuring that the report is countersigned
by a registered nurse.
Welcome,
assist and advise patients relatives and friends, whilst always observing
confidentiality.
Provide
emotional support to patients, their relatives and friends.
Assist
patients in their choice of food and, in discussion with the registered nurse
and the dietician, advise if their diet / food consistency has to be changed
Order
patients menu daily from the kitchen.
Regularly
participate in nursing handover.
Occasionally participate in multidisciplinary meetings.
Help
new staff to settle into the ward routine.
Strategic
planning and development
Contribute
to a comprehensive departmental induction and in-service ongoing training for
nursing auxiliaries and volunteers in the in-patient area.
Perform
last offices when a patient dies, following the patients wishes or beliefs.
Take patients to the mortuary when required, with dignity and sensitivity.
Assist
other members of the multidisciplinary team, as required, e.g. Physiotherapist,
when moving a patient.
Be
aware of all regulations regarding the health and safety of patients, visitors
and staff and report and record all accidents, incidents and complaints to the
registered nurse.
Attend
relevant study days, particularly statutory in-service training. Bring new knowledge back to the team
Personal
development
Identify your own learning
and development needs in order to meet the key requirements of the post.
Take responsibility for
linking your own development needs with the Hospice appraisal and objective
setting process.
Take responsibility for your
own continuing development by undertaking specific areas of work/projects to
develop new skills.
Take responsibility for your
own professional development, including keeping up-to-date with relevant
professional and other developments in HR at local and national levels
Engage in supervision to
support your personal and professional development.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Comply with and
promote St Josephs Hospice Equal Opportunity Policy and avoid any behaviour
which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees, patients/clients
or their families on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, age, belief,
colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion, disability, creed,
class, gender, sexual orientation.
Mission & core
values
All
Hospice staff are expected to work in line with St Josephs Mission & Core
Values as these precepts act as a value base which directly influence how all
work activities are undertaken. The ethos of the Hospice should be apparent in
the behaviours and attitudes of all employees as the work they undertake,
whether it is direct or indirect, care is ultimately for the benefit of patients.
The Mission and Core Values are an integral part of all job descriptions, the
probationary period and performance and development reviews. (Full details attached).
Environment and
sustainability
Comply with and promote the Hospices environmental
policies, which stem from our core values. Promote environmentally sustainable
practice and development and avoid any behaviour, which undermines
environmentally sustainable practice and development throughout the Hospice
services and departments.
Health, safety and welfare
Ensure
a safe working environment and be aware of responsibilities under the Health
and Safety at Work Act, taking appropriate action in the event of an accident
to patients, staff, self or any other person in the work area.
St Josephs Hospice operates a no smoking policy.
