Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW)

Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW)

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the busy Health Care of the elderly (HCE) team as a Health Care Assistant on Meldon ward. The successful applicant will be expected to act as a positive role model, deliver high quality nursing care and be keen to broaden their own knowledge and skills within the specialist field of acute medicine. We are looking for an excellent team player with fantastic interpersonal skills. HCE is an exciting and continually developing area with fantastic opportunities. HCE has lots of education and training opportunities. You will need to be flexible and committed to making a positive difference with a willingness to undertake further training.

Shifts include a variation of Long days, Nights, Weekends & Bank Holidays.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as \”Priority\” and \”At Risk\” status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

1. Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
2. Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans.
3. Ability to use your knowledge and experience to undertake non-routine duties and an understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility.
4. To carry out a range of (limited) clinical duties with minimal / no supervision, including for example, blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation levels, body temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate, glucose monitoring, collection and testing of urine samples / faecal samples / sputum samples and wound swabs ensuring delivery of high-quality patient care at all times. NB: this list is not exhaustive and will vary depending on area of work.
5. Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.
6. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.
7. Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
8. Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies.

About us

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities

• Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing, care (i.e. washing, mouthcare, toileting, manual handling and mobility), recognising and meeting the specific needs of patients.
• Prioritise own tasks under the direction of registered nurse.
• To carry out clinical observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting all changes in patients condition to senior staff.
• To support maintenance of fluid balance and dietary charts, recognising, recording and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
• Undertake the escort of patients to appointments under the direction of the registered nurse (when deemed competent).
• To support nutritional needs of patients by assisting with feeding and drinking, reporting on concerns about dietary intake to senior staff.
• An awareness of skin integrity over pressure points, recognising and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
• To recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and carers, and refer patients to senior staff.
• Document and sign for all observations and care given with counter signature from a registered practitioner.
• To maintain his/her own professional development, attending courses/further training to enhance and optimise his/her role within the work area.
• To promote and safeguard the well-being of patients, their families and colleagues.
• To share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all equipment on the ward and stock control.
• To respect the confidential information, in line with Trust policy Data Protection Act, obtained in the course of work and not disclose this information.
• To be familiar with and adhere to Trust and Departmental policies and procedures mindful of responsibilities to self, colleagues and patients.
• Report untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies to senior staff.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• One of the following o Level 3 (SCQF – 6): – City and Guilds 3 o NVQ Level 3 o BTEC National Diploma o Demonstrable experience equivalent to the above qualifications
• Level 2 Functional skills in English and Maths, or equivalent
• Completion of Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)

Aptitude and Abilities

• Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to work with minimum supervision to a high standard

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
• Be able to work as a member of a team

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.