Healthcare Assistant (Outpatients) in Swansea

If you're passionate about care, innovation and excellence, then HMT could be the perfect place for the next step in your career. We have an exciting opportunity to join our Outpatients team at Sancta Maria Hospital, Swansea. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver adult health services, focusing on inpatient and outpatient services to deliver the highest standard of hospital care, surpassing patient expectations.

Responsibilities

• You will use your experience of care delivery to undertake delegated nursing tasks within agreed parameters, set by Heads of Departments.
• You will work within clinical competencies pertinent to the area of speciality and in accordance with HMT's policies and procedures and values.
• To work independently and organise your own workload as part of the multidisciplinary team, with delegated responsibility, undertaking duties in relation to patient care and departmental administration/organisation with direction and supervision from a Registered Nurse (RN).
• Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, relatives and the multi-disciplinary team, overcoming any barriers to understanding and providing support during distressing or emotional events.
• Adhere to HMT's financial controls and procedures.
• Complete core competencies for your work area within the agreed set time frame.
• Demonstrate IT skills, recording and reporting information onto patient administration systems in written and electronic format, maintaining and protecting confidential information relating to patients.
• Be able to react appropriately to changing demands and situations, working as part of the team to be flexible and accommodating as appropriate.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment for patients and ensure following HMT's Policy regarding Infection Control and Prevention.
• Will participate in and meet the requirements of activities and training designed to meet the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework and demonstrate a process of attaining continuous professional development, including undertaking all statutory and mandatory training relevant to role.
• Contribute to the clinical governance agenda, including audit, the incident reporting policy, complaints management and attendance at meetings for learning and improvement.
• Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced employees, new starters, and temporary staff.

Departmental Duties

• Support the running of the clinics, prepare rooms, ensuring general tidiness and cleanliness of the department.
• Ensure the availability of equipment and stock supply and the required documentation is available, e.g. assisting consultants to retrieve results and referral letters.
• Undertake delegated administrative duties, e.g. populate staff rotas ready for Head of Departments approval, filing, scanning, weekly clinic allocation, prepare medical certificates for patients ready for the Consultant or RMO to sign.
• Prepare clinics, e.g. set up of the Echocardiogram and Ultrasound Machine and complete pathology request forms, checking the patients medical history to ensure the correct tests are requested.
• Act as a chaperone in line with HMT's chaperone policy.
• Answer telephone calls/bleeps and take messages.
• Deal with general patient queries, e.g. general public health advice, e.g. smoking cessation.
• Complete a patient's height, weight, BMI, NEWS, urinalysis and escalate any concerns.
• Complete requested tests, e.g. ECG, Holter monitors, 24/48 hr BP monitoring, trial without catheters Uro-Flow and Bladder scan.
• Support orthopaedic clinics, e.g. removal of plaster casts, fitting air walker boots and measuring and fitting TED stockings.
• Undertake venipuncture and BMs adhering to specimen procedures including labelling, traceability and transportation.
• Undertake cleaning duties and specific cleaning of equipment, e.g. decontamination of nasoscopes using Tristel wipe system.
• Assist in emergencies, undertaking delegated tasks from the resuscitation lead.
• To assist in nurse-led clinics, wound dressings and clip and suture removal, also drain removal, seeking advice and support from a Registered Nurse where there are any complications.
• Assist with minor procedures – maintaining ANTT and set up and maintain a sterile field.
• Set up a hyfrecator and other equipment where required, e.g. suction and ensure the correct equipment is available for the minor procedure list referring to the Consultants preference card.
• Ensure safe custody, return or disposal of patients property, in accordance with HMT's hospital security policy.

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience of care delivery including basic nursing care, basic wound care, bladder/bowel care, moving and handling, skin and nutritional assessments, infection prevention control, and safeguarding awareness.
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload under supervision of a Registered Nurse with effective time management skills.
• Demonstrates kindness and compassion.
• Prioritise and use own initiative.
• Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 2 equivalent to GCSE Maths and English or equivalent Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).
• Trained in monitoring blood sugars, vital signs, fluid and food charts, ECG and basic life support (BLS).
• Basic IT skills, including WORD and Outlook and standard keyboard skills.

Benefits

• Private Medical Insurance
• Wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme
• Long service awards
• Cycle to work scheme
• Recruitment referral scheme
• Continuous learning
• Career progression
• Flexible working options
• 27 days Annual Leave plus Bank holidays
• Enhanced Maternity Pay