Community Night Care Support Worker

At Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, we aim to reflect our values in everything we do - Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. We are committed to providing the best possible levels of healthcare with the help of our incredible colleagues. The post holder will work as part of adult community services in providing compassionate care to patients, service users, carers and families. This pivotal role is essential in providing care and support to patients and service users through direct and indirect care, working within clearly defined limits and attainment of agreed competence.

The post holder will work without constant direct supervision using initiative within the level of competence for the post. They will act as a role model at all times, reflecting the Trust values and behaviours and delivering high standards of care. The post holder will be self-aware and open to receive and learn from feedback, acting as an advocate on behalf of patients and service users, recognising, respecting and responding to the diverse needs of our population. They will undertake a range of clinical skills to assist medical and nursing colleagues with investigations and procedures.

Main duties of the job

• At all times treat patients, service users, families, visitors and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Deliver compassionate care, exercising discretion and behaving in a manner consistent with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust's KITE values.
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work.
• Work in line with the Trust policies and procedures and within the scope of competence, undertaking mandatory training and essential skills training as identified for the role.
• Contribute to the development of the clinical area, through contribution of new ideas to improve patient care/experience and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Achieve and maintain core and specific competencies as per the National Care Certificate and agreed by the manager.
• Develop own skills and knowledge and contribute to the development of others.
• Assist with the induction of new Health Care Support Workers and supervise work of students and junior staff.
• Participate in own performance development reviews and appraisals.
• Participate in audit activities at the request of the Matron/Service Manager/Clinical Team Lead.
• Attend and participate in team meetings.
• Support the maintenance and cleanliness of the clinical environment by attending to general tidiness of the area including unpacking and storage of stock deliveries. Report any estates issues appropriately.

Working for our organisation

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East. At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality.

We offer colleagues a supportive culture so they can bring their whole selves to work, staff recognition, employee support and wellbeing including a wide range of staff benefits.

Please note: Due to high levels of interest, posts may close early if we reach a sufficient number of applications. Visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application. The Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles. All job offers are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.

Direct Patient Care Duties

• Under the direction of the registered nurse, provide high quality personalised care in accordance with agreed local and national standards using a wide range of skills.
• Participate in the admission, transfer and discharge of patients under the direction of a registered nurse.
• Assist in all aspects of personal hygiene and toileting needs.
• Assist with the service of meals and support patients who may need assistance with eating and drinking in line with their plan of care.
• Assist with the safe moving, handling and mobilisation of patients ensuring that care plans are followed to minimise risk.
• Communicate effectively with kindness, warmth and compassion, recognising when there are barriers to communication and where support may be required.
• Act as a patient and staff advocate, escalating concerns and challenging poor behaviour or practice appropriately.
• Record accurate patient information e.g., completion of fluid balance and food record charts.
• Observe and report any changes in a patient’s condition to the registered nurse identifying and reporting patient needs not included in the care plan.
• Involve patients and carers/relatives in delivery of care.
• Provide reassurance and support to patients, carers/family.
• Assist with moving, turning and positioning the dependent patient, having knowledge of the correct use of moving and handling equipment.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.
• Support the psychological and emotional wellbeing of patients, carers and families.
• Support the Registered Nurse in the delivery of last offices.
• Provide one to one care for patients under the direction of the Registered Nurse – participating in appropriate engagement activities to support plan of care.
• Ensure that no action or omission on your part is detrimental to the condition, safety, well-being and interest of the patients.

Clinical Duties

• To be trained and deemed competent to undertake a range of clinical skills and tasks appropriate to patient care delivered within the care setting under the direction of the registered health professional responsible for the care of the patient.
• These may include (dependent upon the working area): Undertaking physiological observations: blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respirations, oxygen saturations, and recording results on SystmOne.
• Undertaking an ECG.
• Cannulation.
• Venepuncture.
• Blood glucose recording from capillary samples, recording results and escalating when required.
• Male and Female Catheterisation.
• Empty drainage bags such as catheter bags, stoma bags using appropriate infection prevention and control precautions.
• Obtaining specimens of urine, sputum or faeces as requested and according to ward/department procedures.
• Removal of cannulas and care of patient after.

Person specification

• Essential and desirable previous experience working in a healthcare setting.
• Care certificate or working towards this.
• Previous experience working in the community.

The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.