Health Care Support Worker - Bank

Department: Bank Cross sites.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports directly to: Ward Manager or Nurse in charge of duty
• Responsible to: Temporary Staffing Manager

Role of Department:

As a team promotes and ensures the best possible care for patients in an organised and safe environment. Working across 3 sites on an ad hoc basis.

Main Purpose of Job:

Under the direction of the Ward Manager carries out assigned tasks to ensure a high standard of patient care and that individual patient care needs are met.

Main Duties:

• Assists with washing, bathing or showering as necessary.
• Assists in the care of finger nails (not toe nails unless training completed) and assists patients in the care of their hair.
• Must be aware of methods preventing pressure area breakdown.
• Supervise and assist patients with dressing as necessary and maintain their clothes in good order.
• Make beds both occupied and unoccupied.
• Can record and document patient temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, O2 saturation, and blood sugar measurements.
• Is aware of what is normal and what is abnormal and will report any abnormalities to a qualified person.
• Weigh patients and chart as appropriate.
• Communicate any changes observed in the condition of the patient to a qualified member of staff.
• Be aware of patients' elimination needs and give appropriate assistance.
• Record and chart bladder and bowel movements as appropriate.
• Will be able to ward test urine and take faecal samples only.
• Should report abnormalities observed to a qualified person.
• Be aware of special orders relating to patients' dietary and fluid requirements.
• Hand out meals as appropriate to individual patients.
• Encourage and assist patients with their dietary and fluid intake as appropriate.
• Record and chart diet and fluid intake as appropriate.
• At the discretion of the Nurse in charge of the ward, will accompany patients to and from departments (e.g., X-ray).
• UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL AN HCA ESCORT A PATIENT FROM THEATRES OR RECOVER A PATIENT FOLLOWING SEDATION.
• Recognises the need to direct problems identified when communicating with patients or relatives to a qualified member of staff.
• Ability to collect blood from the blood bank when assessed competent (Blood product training).
• Ability to complete basic record keeping (i.e., completion of nursing front sheet documenting observations on the appropriate charts).
• Will give support to the nurse in charge to ensure that information on the computer system is correct and that other administration is complete on each shift (after training has been given).
• Ability to carry out Basic Life Support.
• Will undertake last offices for patients.
• Will work with the ward team to ensure that the clinical area is kept clean and tidy at all times.
• Will ensure that cupboards and storerooms are kept clean and tidy and will ensure stocks of disposable items used are replenished.

Professional:

• Will be aware of the Directorate or Trust policies and procedures relating to your ward/department.
• Will attend relevant study days and courses appropriate to his/her role.
• Will adhere to the current uniform policy.
• Will know the current sickness reporting policy both the bank office and the ward where booked.
• Will observe and continually promote equal opportunities in compliance with the Trust's policies on Equality and Diversity and Dignity at work.

Key Skills:

• Health team player
• Prioritise care/workload
• Provide holistic care
• Caring
• Work well under pressure
• Positive role model
• Motivated to learn