Healthcare Assistant in Canterbury

The post holder will assist the trained nurses in ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care in a safe and pleasant environment.

Working as a member of a designated nursing team the HCA will deliver elements of care safely under the supervision of a trained nurse, treating patients with respect, dignity and kindness, valuing individuality and maintaining confidentiality at all times.

In order to be considered you must have NVQ Level II Care Certificate or equivalent.

• Clinical and Professional Responsibilities
• Working under the direct supervision of the registered nurse, administers as directed in the patients care plan, basic nursing care to patients in order to meet their fundamental health care needs.
• Assisting patients to the toilet, washing and bathing, assisting patients to eat and or drink as independently as possible.

Assist patients with personal care whilst maintaining privacy and dignity at all times.

• To be responsible for undertaking some tasks independently without direction and supervision. This will include activities such as making beds and cleaning of equipment.
• Makes accurate records at the point of care using the hospices electronic record and reports relevant information directly to the registered nurse.
• To use and store all equipment safely and correctly in accordance with Hospice and manufacturers instructions, including cleaning of equipment and ensuring batteries in equipment are fully charged, ensuring safety for both patients and staff.
• To attend mandatory training and updates.
• Ensuring patient safety at all times and that any care given is in line with training received and follows either verbal direction from a registered nurse or is directed via written nursing care plans or multidisciplinary goal setting sheets.
• This will also include the care and management of those patients who are unable to maintain their own safety because of confusion, cognitive impairment or any sensory deficit.
• Assisting in transferring deceased patients to the relevant areas in the hospice setting.
• Assisting in giving the deceased last offices respecting their spiritual, cultural and religious needs.
• Releasing the patient in to the care of the relevant undertakers.
• Ensuring safe custody of patients property.
• Actively participate in the prevention of cross infection, understanding and adopting into practice the principles of infection control in accordance with hospice policy.
• In addition will assist in the monitoring, storing, and disposal of equipment and hazardous materials in accordance with health and safety guidelines.

This will include safe disposal of sharps and soiled linen.

• To be responsible for reporting any incident or near miss immediately to the nurse in charge of the ward.
• To communicate appropriately with all members of the multidisciplinary team, other colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors to the ward.
• Display friendly and approachable manner at all times.
• To act in a non-judgemental way and treat each and every patient as an individual, respecting his or her choices, wishes, customs, values and beliefs irrespective of your own ideals and culture.
• Management responsibilities
• To be aware of the employees responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment, reporting accidents or untoward incidents and potential for risk.
• Acting as an ambassador of Pilgrims Hospices to patients, their families, other health care professionals and members of the public at all times.
• Maintain regular communication and liaison with the line manager as part of delivering an appropriate and high quality service including regular attendance at team meetings.
• Complies with Pilgrims Hospice policies on patient documentation; updates patients records ensuring entries are accurate, relevant, legible and contemporaneous.
• Participation in audits, research and surveys of Pilgrims Hospices services as requested.
• Attend induction programs for new team members, supporting new staff during their induction through mentorship within the community setting.
• Ensures own knowledge is up to date, undertaking mandatory training and attending workshops and training courses for the benefit own continued development and to learn new skills and increase knowledge.
• Work as an effective team member offering support, direction and guidance to team members.
• Maintain effective communication within and beyond the immediate team.
• Measures of Success
• Achievement of a safe, effective environment in which End of Life nursing care is successfully accomplished.
• High level of satisfaction from patients and relatives, low level of adverse comments or complaints.
• Effective understanding and successful implementation of the Hospices policies and procedures Uses communication skills to maintain and provide effective and holistic patient care.
• Communications and Relationships

To communicate appropriately with all members of the multidisciplinary team, other colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors to the ward.

• Displaying a friendly and approachable manner at all times.
• To communicate effectively and appropriately with patients from diverse backgrounds including different cultures, and those who exhibit challenging behaviour, sensory loss and other difficulties with communication, utilising appropriate aides and tools as required.
• To understand the physical and mental health needs of older people who have complex and multiple health issues within the role boundaries.
• To involve patients in all care and provide choices whenever possible to help patients maintain optimum independence and a sense of self control.
• To ensure any queries raised by patients, families and visitors are responded to in a friendly and sensitive way and directed to the appropriate health care professional if the issue cannot be resolved locally.
• Communicates effectively ensuring the relay to the appropriate professional any concerns or wishes expressed by the patient.
• Completes incident reports and also actively encourages and supports team members with this activity.
• Assists senior nurse manager with incident investigations and provide reports as required by Quality and Governance framework.
• Actively participate in the prevention of cross infection, understanding and adopting into practices the principles of infection control in accordance with policy and training.
• To act in a non judgemental way and treat each patient and carer as an individual, respecting his or her choices, wishes, customs, values and beliefs.

This Job Description is not exhaustive.

This job description is a reflection of the current position and the post holder is expected to view it as a guide rather than an exact description of all duties and responsibilities.

It may be subject to variation from time to time.

The post holder will be required to undertake any other duties that may be required by the Line Manager, commensurate with the level of the post.

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