The Ophthalmology Department at Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Senior Healthcare Support Worker to give direct care on the eye ward, in the eye clinic and on day surgery. Work covers pre and post-operative care, theatre transfers and clinic tests, under a registered nurse or nursing associate. The post also supervises and trains less experienced HCAs and supports student nurses, with shift work on a 7-day pattern possible. Candidates need six months' recent NHS HCA experience and the Care Certificate.
What the job involves
- Assist the medical team or nurse practitioners with intravitreal injections, minor operations and cross-linking clinics
- Provide direct patient care, including pre and post-operative care, while maintaining privacy and dignity
- Take patients to theatre and collect them after surgery under local anaesthetic
- Carry out vision, visual field and eye pressure tests and competency-based assessments in the eye unit, day surgery and eye clinic
- Assist registered nurses with admitting and discharging patients on the eye ward
- Undertake and record patients' vital signs
- Move and handle patients to support their independence
- Maintain infection prevention and control and safeguarding of adults and children
- Support the supervision and training of less experienced HCAs, orient new nurses and support student nurses
- Teach patients safe eye drop instillation, including use of drop aids
- Liaise with the multidisciplinary team, including orthoptists, the photography team, the eye clinic liaison officer and admin support
- Report changes in a patient's condition, and concerns from patients, families or carers, to the nurse in charge
What’s required
Qualifications
- Care Certificate in Acute Care achieved through the NHS
- Level 3 qualification
- Functional level of English and Maths
Experience
- Recent and previous NHS experience as a healthcare support worker for a minimum of six months
- Working as part of a team
Skills & knowledge
- Understanding of the role of the healthcare support worker in the hospital setting
- Knowledge of the Trust's vision, values, behaviours and strategic objectives
- Excellent people, communication and telephone skills
- Ability to work without constant supervision
- Organised and able to work under pressure
- Understanding of an individual's communication, physical and emotional needs
Checks & eligibility
- Right to work in the UK with valid documentation
Other
- Honest, reliable and trustworthy
- Treat patients, visitors and colleagues with respect
- Flexible to meet patient, team, service and Trust needs, including shift work on a 7-day pattern
Nice to have
- Recognised level 3 health and social care qualification
- Previous experience training and supporting new staff
- Previous experience in ophthalmology
- Knowledge and awareness of diversity and human rights
- Extended clinical skills
What’s offered
- Full range of NHS benefits
- NHS discounts
- Continuous professional development
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
