Healthcare Assistant - Ward 30 | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Ward 30 is an acute elderly medical ward that also cares for patients with dementia. Duties for this post will include supporting the registered nursing teams in providing patient care, clinical duties such as assisting patients with personal hygiene needs, meeting patients' nutritional needs, and maximising mobility. Pressure area care delivery and falls risk prevention are also key responsibilities.

As a Health Care Assistant, you will provide personal care and support to patients at their most vulnerable times. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team to provide a compassionate, safe environment for our patients. We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic health care assistant who can demonstrate the trust values to join our team. Previous experience working in a health care environment is essential, with respiratory experience being desirable. Excellent communication skills and IT skills are required, and the successful candidate should demonstrate a commitment to delivering excellent patient care.

Care Duties:

• Assist patients in meeting their hygiene needs and carry out all aspects of personal care and grooming (to include emptying catheter bags).
• Provision of patients' toileting needs, ensuring privacy and dignity is maintained, and supporting patients in managing incontinence.
• Measuring patients' fluid intake and output using fluid balance charts and reporting information to Registered Nurse.
• Preparation and serving of patients' meals, drinks, and snacks. Assisting/feeding patients as necessary.
• Assist patients in completing menu forms and liaise with the Catering Department regarding the number of meals needed.
• Reports patients' dietary intake as indicated in the patients' plan of care.
• Carry out any movement and handling within the safe practice guidelines from mandatory training and in relation to the patient’s manual handling plan.
• Enable patients to maintain/improve their mobility by use of exercise and mobility appliances as directed by individual care plans.
• Assist in the prevention of pressure sore development as directed by the Registered Nurse in conjunction with the patient’s plan of care.
• Obtaining specimens from patients for ward or laboratory testing.
• Escorting patients to clinical departments within the hospital.
• Assist Registered Nurse in performing last offices.
• General observations of patients, reporting anything untoward to Registered Nursing Staff.
• Initiate Basic Life Support techniques as appropriate and provide assistance to the registered nurse as required in prolonged resuscitation situations.
• Ensure due regard is given to customs, values, and spiritual beliefs of patients and carers.

General Duties:

• Support all individuals through effective communication.
• General bed making/making up of clean beds in readiness for new admissions and operation beds.
• Clear and clean vacated bed spaces and prepare ready for use according to the ward/unit protocol.
• Prepare used linen bags for collection by Porters and ensure adequate supply of linen bags/skips ready for use.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment in all areas.
• Collection of blood products as required from the laboratory.
• Safe disposal of clinical waste and sharps as per Trust policy.
• Be familiar with Trust policy and procedure for reporting clinical incidents, reporting of incidents if they occur.
• Provide support and assistance to new and junior members of staff.
• Contribute to the Health, Safety, and Security of individuals.
• Undertake a range of clerical duties in the absence of or in support of the Ward Clerk to ensure a smooth running service.
• Act as messenger in the absence of other more appropriate persons e.g. to other wards, laboratory, Medical Engineering etc.
• Complete maintenance repair forms.
• The post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation.