Senior Healthcare Support Worker, OPAU – Guildford Rd, Lyne, Chertsey

Job overview

Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a reputation for delivering high quality patient care. An exciting opportunity has arisen for committed, enthusiastic, motivated and experienced Health Care Assistant (HCA) to join our team.  Our Older Persons Assessment Unit (OPAU) is seeking a Band 3 Health Care Assistant to join the already established team. This post will be to work within the Urgent and Emergency division providing same day emergency care to patients in an effective and safe environment.

Our vision is simple; to put patients first, to have a passion for excellence, to have pride in our teams and to be able to take personal responsibility.

In return, the Trust offers excellent development and training opportunities. As an employee you will have access to a suite of training modules, flexible working opportunities, NHS staff benefits, access to an NHS Pension and additional work perks.

Main duties of the job

Assist patients with the sanitary needs, ensuring privacy and dignity is maintained.

Assist in the meeting of patients’ nutritional needs.  Ensure that patients who require assistance at meal times have a red tray.

Where identified in the plan of care, ensure food and fluid intake and output are accurately documented on appropriate charts.

Assist in skin and pressure area care.  Under the supervision of registered nurses ensure patients are helped to move position to prevent discomfort and/or pressure ulcers.

Assist patients with safe mobilisation according to their plan of care and where appropriate seek help from other members of the ward team.

Utilise appropriate moving and handling aids to reduce the risk of injury to the patient and themselves.

To undertake, venepuncture and cannulation duties under senior supervision following completion of training and evidence of competency

Accurately record ECG’s on completion of training and report back to qualified nurse following interpretation by the Doctor.

Assist in supporting therapeutic recreational activities for patients as appropriate.

Assist registered staff in the taking and recording of vital signs as per the patients’ plan of care, including urinalysis and blood glucose testing.

Communicate to the nurse in charge changes observed in a patient’s condition.

Recognise and promote the patients rights, cultural beliefs and values.

Promote patients privacy and dignity both in the ward/department and across the Trust.

Working for our organisation

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.

Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter’s, Chertsey, Surrey.

We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.

This is an exciting time to join our Trust, as we work on the expansion of our theatres at Ashford Hospital and move towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures; with care delivered by dedicated, specialist teams in a modern and well-equipped environment.

 We hope to use this centre to create an environment of learning and to facilitate training of the next generation of our skilled NHS workforce. Our plans are ambitious – why not, come and be a part of our journey.

Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Overview of Responsibilities:

• Substantial experience as a Health Care Assistant in an acute setting.
• You have knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights and the competencies appropriate to your role to support their diverse needs and human rights.
• Able to take and document routine observations of patients and escalate unwell patients accordingly.
• Good communication skills.
• Able to help train and oversee more junior staff.
• Good Literacy and numeracy skills
• Able to work harmoniously with others.
• Must be able to demonstrate that you are honest, reliable, trustworthy & treat people who use the services, and colleagues, with respect.
• Able to support others.
• Uses own initiative.
• Takes a pride in the work.
• Flexible in work patterns.
• Assist patients with their Activities of Daily Living as needed ensuring privacy and dignity is maintained.
• Where identified in the plan of care, ensure food and fluid intake and output are accurately documented on appropriate charts.
• Assist in skin and pressure area care where applicable, under the supervision of registered nurses. Ensure patients are helped to move position to prevent discomfort and/or pressure ulcers.
• Assist patients with safe mobilisation according to their plan of care and seek help appropriately.
• Utilise appropriate moving and handling aids to reduce the risk of injury to the patient and themselves.
• To undertake, venepuncture and cannulation duties under senior supervision following completion of training and evidence of competency.
• Accurately record ECG’s on completion of training and report back to qualified nurse following interpretation by the Doctor.
• Assist in supporting therapeutic recreational activities for patients as appropriate.
• Assist registered staff in the taking and recording of vital signs as per the patients’ plan of care, including urinalysis and blood glucose testing.
• Escort patients from the ward to other departments within the hospital, in accordance with Standards of Practice and Care, maintaining their privacy and dignity at all times.
• Be aware of and contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and report any suspicions of abuse to nurse in charge.
• Recognise and promote the patients’ rights, cultural beliefs and values.
• Attend annual updates on fire and cardiac arrest procedures. Take appropriate action on discovering/suspecting a fire or cardiac arrest. Communication.
• Answer the telephone in accordance with the Trust’s Standards for Practice and Care and refer calls to the nurse in charge as appropriate.
• Communicate with patients and relatives in a courteous, sensitive and appropriate manner and refer to the nurse in charge as required.
• Report any incidents, accidents, concerns, near misses or complaints to the nurse in charge.
• Be sensitive to the patient and their environment, ensuring communication of a personal and or private nature is discreet and patient confidentiality is maintained.
• Document care given in patient’s care-plan and ensure this is countersigned by a registered nurse.
• Have a responsibility for the tidiness and promoting cleanliness of all patient areas, including equipment rooms and storerooms, and take appropriate care of furniture and equipment. Ensure beds and equipment is properly cleaned between patient use.
• Adhere to infection control policy and procedures, demonstrating an understanding of universal precautions and good hand hygiene.
• Adhere to the patient property policy and ensure the utmost care is taken to ensure belongings do not become misplaced or lost.
• Undertake clinical skills in which they have received training and have been deemed competent by an authorised registered nurse as per Trust guidance.
• Undertake mandatory training and relevant study days as required.
• Supervise, support and help registered nurses in the development and orientation of other Health Care Assistants.
• Be of smart appearance and wear the correct uniform in accordance with the Trust uniform.
• Participate in maintaining a suitable learning environment on the ward.
• Act as a support for junior staff and students.
• Use available opportunities to maintain and extend professional knowledge and expertise, keeping up-to-date with current nursing practice.
• Maintain good communication internal education with support staff and tutors from local higher and further education providers.