Healthcare Assistant (MSH Band 3): Bank

As a member of the Bank Team, you will be contacted, often at short notice, to provide cover for shifts for the IPU team. Shifts can be any time, Monday to Sunday. This is a casual worker role and offers flexibility to suit both your needs and the needs of the hospice.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Experience of providing direct patient care.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.

JOB ROLE

• To plan, deliver and evaluate holistic care to meet the needs of patients within the inpatient unit under supervision of the registered nurses on duty.
• To work as part of the In-patient Unit nursing team but may be required to work in our Day Services Centre at times.
• To contribute to the efficiency and smooth running of the In-patient Unit.

CORE FUNCTIONS

• To assist patients with their holistic care needs as identified in their care plan.
• To carry out aspects of patient care within their competency level unsupervised but with the advice of qualified nursing staff e.g. simple dressings, observations, urinalysis.
• To communicate relevant information regarding patients to members of the multidisciplinary team as required to meet the patients care needs.
• To assess patients' nutritional requirements and deliver care to meet them including the assistance with patients' meals, making drinks as required to meet patients' individual needs.
• To escort patients within the hospice and to their locations where considered safe to do so and to undertake patient moving and handling in line with hospice policy.

Guidelines for aspects of patient care which may be carried out by Health Care Assistants (Band 3) following successful completion of palliative care competencies developed to support the role:

• Assessment of patients' needs and priorities of care by using the Holistic Assessment tool.
• Engage in active communication with patients to facilitate advanced care planning.
• Developing plans of care with patients and with the advice of qualified staff, delivering care within their level of competency and evaluating care during each shift.
• May be required to change patients' dressings in line with their established wound care plan under the instructions of the qualified nurse.
• Assisting patients with personal care and elimination needs, including care of in-dwelling catheters.
• Assisting with patients' nutrition, ensuring individual needs are met in terms of diet, preferences, and clinical condition and to be actively involved with use of the nutrition risk assessment tool.
• Giving reassurance and comfort by establishing a good relationship with patients, carers and other healthcare staff whilst maintaining dignity, privacy, and confidence always.
• To support patients in the expression of their spiritual care needs, completing a spiritual care assessment and liaising with the hospice chaplains where appropriate and with patients consent.
• To share responsibility for one of the following areas along with the relevant registered nurse: Nutrition; Infection Control; Tissue Viability; Manual Handling and Patient Experience.
• To undertake the role of second checker of medication, including controlled drugs, working alongside a qualified nurse in order for the symptom management of patients to be optimized.
• To be actively involved with audit throughout the hospice.

GENERAL FUNCTIONS

• Answer the telephone and take messages in accordance with the hospice standards.
• Organise storage and maintenance of the hospice equipment as directed by the registered nurses and to collect and deliver equipment within the hospice, as necessary.
• Promote the effectiveness of the hospice team, maintaining harmonious working relationships.
• Be aware of and comply with all hospice policies.
• Have an awareness of cost effectiveness and budgets.
• Attend mandatory annual training and ensure all online training is undertaken in a timely manner to ensure compliance and to maintain knowledge and skills.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Patient and/or staff information is confidential. It is a condition of The Mary Stevens Hospice casual worker terms and conditions that you will not use or disclose any confidential information obtained.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND GOVERNANCE

• To be proficient in operating IT systems and use information systems to generate reports for analysis and performance to aid decision making.
• Champion safe information governance within the organisation.
• To work within the policies, procedures, codes of practice and clinical guidelines of The Mary Stevens Hospice and professional bodies.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• To comply with best practice and legal requirements regarding data protection.
• Support equality and diversity of opportunity in the workplace.
• Carry out other associated duties as may arise or develop in line with the broad remit of this post.

* Free car parking * Employee Assistance Programme * Supporting the local community

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background or identity. We value diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know – we’re happy to help.