71826241_Band 4 Medical Student Technician (Bank)

Advertised role location: MALONE HOSPITAL

Official document: Job Description (pdf)

Role Information:

Medical Student Technician (Bank) Band 4

(Emergency Departments)

Thank you for your interest in this opportunity. This document brings the role to life, outlining its purpose, key responsibilities and the skills, experience and qualifications needed to succeed.

The Opportunity at a glance

Join our Emergency Department team

This Bank Band 4 opportunity is for eligible medical students who will support Emergency Departments clinical teams while developing practical patient‑care, audit, quality improvement and research experience.

Hours & Flexible Working

This is a bank role. Staff must be available to work shifts, including night duty, across 7 days per week, studies permitting, and are required to work at least one shift per week. We are committed to supporting flexible working wherever this can be accommodated within service needs. Successful candidates may request flexible working from the 1st day of their employment.

Location

This role is based within Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Emergency Departments, including the Royal Victoria Hospital and Mater Infirmorum Hospital.

Salary & Benefits

As an employee of Belfast Trust, you’ll have access to a wide range of staff benefits, including generous annual leave, pension arrangements, wellbeing support, development opportunities and excellent transport links.

Band Starting at Increase After 2 years
Band 4 Refer to current HSC pay scale
In line with current HSC pay scale
*Salaries are pro rata for part‑time hours

About our Emergency Departments in Belfast Trust

This is an opportunity to work as part of the Emergency Medicine clinical team, supporting nurses, healthcare assistants and clinicians in the care of Emergency Department patients.

About the Role

The Medical Student Technician role supports eligible medical students to strengthen technical skills in fundamental patient care while gaining experience in audit, quality improvement and research. The post holder will undertake nursing tasks and practical procedures for which they have been trained and deemed competent, under the direction of the clinical team.

Vacancy numbers and any waiting‑list arrangements should be confirmed before advertisement.

Across HSCNI, all employees are expected to demonstrate the HSC Values in how they work, communicate and interact with others. Further information on the HSC Values and what they mean in practice can be found by clicking here.

Job Description

POST: Medical Student Technician (Bank)

LOCATION: BHSCT Emergency Departments, Emergency Medicine

BAND: 4

REPORTS TO: Nurse in Charge, Royal Victoria Hospital and Mater Infirmorum Hospital Emergency Departments

RESPONSIBLE TO: Nurse Consultant

Job Context & Summary

The role of medical student technician at Royal Victoria Hospital Emergency Department was first developed in April 2020 as a response to the COVID pandemic. Since then, it has evolved so that now our Medical Student Technicians (MST) are considered an integral part of the Emergency Medicine Clinical team. The role provides opportunities for medical students to improve their technical skills in fundamental patient care, audit, quality improvement and research, whilst learning the skills of caring for patients and working with colleagues in the healthcare setting.

The post holder will assist nurses, healthcare assistants and clinicians with the care of Emergency Medicine patients. The post holder will carry out nursing tasks and practical procedures for which they have been deemed competent. He/she will report to the Emergency Department nurse in charge while working.

Key Duties / Responsibilities

Professional/Clinical

• 1.1 Assist clinical staff in the delivery of care, always maintaining confidentiality.
• 1.2 Carry out assigned duties and clinical tasks under the direction of the Nurse, Doctor, Clinical Co‑ordinator or the Site Manager ensuring that the care is of a high standard.
• 1.3 Prepare and maintain environments before and after procedures to a standard suitable for clinical procedures.
• 1.4 Prepare and undertake agreed clinical activities with patients:
• • Take blood samples from patients, including blood cultures, label bottles, and ensure prompt dispatch to laboratories, process venous blood gases.
• • Insert and flush intravenous cannula in accordance with Trust protocol.
• • Perform 12 lead ECG’s.
• • Obtain and carry out point of care testing for; capillary blood samples, urinary & HCG sampling.
• • Assist with moving and handling and chaperoning of patients as requested by nursing and medical staff.
• • Assist with feeding and personal care of patients.
• • Assist with restocking and cleaning of equipment and clinical area.
• • Undertake clinical observations using a portable monitor (excluding neurological assessment) and complete relevant documentation, such as NEWS scores.
• • Assist with movement of patients within the Emergency department and to imaging.
• • Provide resus support.
• • Assist with tasks for admitted patients who are still in the Emergency department awaiting an inpatient bed.
• • Carry out any other Band 4 MST duties for which they are trained for.
• 1.5 Support patients before, during and after activities.
• 1.6 Observe and report any changes on patient’s condition and behaviour.
• 1.7 Assist trained members of the nursing team in the delivery of a high standard of patient care in the ward/department.
• 1.8 Maintain knowledge of and work in accordance with Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
• 1.9 Prioritise own workload as directed by senior staff.

Operational

• 2.1 Ensure that complaints, suggestions or queries are reported immediately to the nurse in charge.
• 2.2 Report accidents/incidents immediately to Nurse in charge and assist in investigation of the same ensuring full documentation is provided.
• 2.3 Help to maintain a safe environment in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Order (NI 1979).
• 2.4 Adhere to the Trust’s policy on the wearing of uniforms.

Personal

• 3.1 Co‑operate with duty rostering to ensure that adequate staffing, and optimum use of workforce is achieved.

Educational/Training

• 4.1 Ensure that they are up to date with online trust learning as set out in MST handbook.
• 4.2 Ensure that their MST logbook is kept up to date.
• 4.3 Reflect on own practise and learn from it.
• 4.2 Participate in audit, quality improvement and research as required.
• 4.3 Continue to train and develop own knowledge and practice in keeping with clinical personal need.

General Responsibilities

• Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:
• At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
• The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.
• Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
• Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
• Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
• Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
• Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision.
• Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
• Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e‑mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR.

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

Medical cleaning strategy recognises the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners”. Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

• Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’).
• Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique.
• Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment.
• Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet).
• Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry.
• Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised.
• Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI). Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

Personnel Specification

JOB TITLE / BAND: Medical Student Technician (Bank), Band 4

DEPT / DIRECTORATE: Emergency Medicine

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

• • Currently engaged as a Year 3 or Year 4 medical student at Queen’s University Belfast, including a Year 3 or Year 4 medical student completing an intercalated degree, OR a Year 3 medical student at Ulster University.
• • A minimum of six months’ experience undertaking Nursing duties in a patient‑facing hospital or community healthcare setting; AND Vital Signs Monitoring (NEWS2) and Phlebotomy/Venepuncture Competent with practical workplace experience in phlebotomy, including taking venous blood samples from patients.
• • Flexible approach to working patterns.
• • Available to work shifts, including night duty, across 7 days per week, studies permitting.
• • Required to work at least one shift per week.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• • Ability to use initiative.
• • Ability to develop own knowledge and practice.
• • Ability to meet work deadlines.
• • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi‑professional team.
• • Knowledge of GDPR and the requirement of both patient and data confidentiality.

Interview Notes

Notes to applicants when completing your application form and demonstrating how you meet the criteria: 1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria. 2. Shortlisting will be carried out based on the essential criteria set out in the specification, using the information provided by you on your application form. 3. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in the specification to better manage application numbers at shortlisting.

Notes to applicants regarding the pre‑employment stage of the recruitment process: If successful you will be required to prove your Right to Work (RTW) in the United Kingdom via a Home Office certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP). Applicants must meet the Right to Work requirements applicable to the post. As this is a bank position, it does not meet the Home Office requirements for sponsorship and therefore a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) will not be supported. Depending on the role, it may be necessary to carry out an enhanced Access NI disclosure check Qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all information contained within their application is accurate, complete and reflects their own knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience and achievements. Applicants will be subject to verification checks throughout the recruitment process. Where information is found to be inaccurate, misleading, unverifiable, or does not genuinely reflect the applicant’s own experience and abilities, the application may be rejected, or any offer of employment withdrawn.

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is an equal opportunities employer

HSC Values

Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to the following values for this role

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