Job Description
Health Care Assistant (HCA) is a member of the health care team who works under the supervision of a registered health or social care professional.
A HCA can undertake a range of roles within their overall job and their level of responsibility will be appropriate/ commensurate to the level of knowledge and skills they have acquired.
Irrespective of the patient care pathway, the core competences at each level should be consistently applied.
To participate, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse/ Midwife, in the delivery of patient care to a defined client group, in accordance with the philosophy of care which enables clients to maintain their skills and maximize the potential to achieve independence.
Work as part of an effective and caring team. The post holder works under the indirect supervision of the Registered Nurse/ Midwife. They will work within the boundaries of their existing and developing skills at all times. The post holder is expected to maintain high standards of care, managing their time, tasks and resources effectively.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provide services from two main hospitals, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital, and a number of clinics across London and the South-East.
We have nearly 7,000 members of staff that arePROUD to Carefor nearly one million people.
Both hospitals provide full clinical services, including full maternity, emergency and children’s, in addition to a range of community-based services across London, such as award-winning sexual health and HIV clinics.
We’re one of the best performing Trusts in the country. We’re also one of the top trusts to work for – our staff says they’re engaged, motivated, and would recommend us as a place to work and receive treatment.
Our Trust has been rated by the Care Quality Commission as ‘Good’ in all five of the main domains of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, giving an us overall rating of ‘Good’. We’ve also been awarded an
‘Outstanding’ rating for ‘use of resources’ by an NHS Improvement inspection.
Our facilities are some of the best in the country. We have been investing significant Capital year on year in our estate.
We have recently completed a £30m expansion of our adult and neonatal critical care facilities at Chelsea and Westminster and are planning an ambitious £60m development of an Ambulatory Diagnostics Centre at West Middlesex.
1. Clinical Support Role
- Under direct supervision assists with the delivery of care as described by the Registered Nurse
- Assist patients with general hygiene needs reporting any changes in patients’ condition.
- Assist the patient to dress appropriately.
- Safeguard patients own belongings and space
- Under supervision take and record the patient’s observations (e.g. temperature, skin assessment) as required, and inform the registered nurse of any observed changes in the patient’s condition.
- Support the Registered Nurse in meeting and recording patients’ elimination needs. Report any changes identified and record quantities and frequency on the relevant charts appropriately.
- Work with the Registered Nurse to gain knowledge and understanding of providing pressure area care and the use of aids
- Work with the Registered Nurse to gain knowledge of mobilisation aids and their correct and safe use.
- Assist the Registered Nurse in the moving, handling and positioning of patients to meet clinical need, adhering to the Trust Moving and Handling policy at all times
- Report physical and psychological changes in patient’s condition to the Registered Nurse, ensuring pain and distress are acted on promptly.
- Have an awareness of patient dietary needs and adhere to patient protected mealtimes.
- Under supervision deliver meals and provide drinks to patients as appropriate and record fluid / food intake, (inpatient only). Report any changes of pattern to Registered Nurse
- Report relevant information regarding the patient care to Registered Nurse
- Assist the Registered Nurse in contributing to the care of dying and deceased patients, sensitively providing support to relatives/friends and support patients who have received bad news.
- Support the Registered Nurse in the provision of health promotion/ education, e.g. prevention of pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis. See Skills Sheet /competency booklet for further information.
- Participate in regular unit meetings and attend other meetings as requested.
- Undertake tasks and procedures, in which competency has been assessed and recorded specific to the care environment, including for example Patients vital signs.
- Participate in research activities as and when required.
- To assist in the maintenance of stock levels, re stocking the equipment’s in the consultation rooms, emptying the deliveries, assist in pushing the beds and stocking up the linen.
- All team members are responsible for behaving in a manner that does not put themselves, patients, visitors and other team members in danger or at risk in the clinical environment.
- To assist the patient to ensure they have the opportunity to meet their individual dietary requirements.
- To receive and convey information from telephone or personal enquiries in a courteous manner and ensure all persons visiting the Endoscopy unit are greeted and assisted in a welcoming and supportive manner.
- To assist and support registered nurses and clerical staff in administrative duties when required.
- To escort stable patients to and from all wards and departments within the hospital when required.
- To check the labcaire endoscope cabinets daily.
- To prepare the suction box daily
- Ensure all admission cubicles are stocked with linen, dignity shorts and cannulation kits.
- Ensure all prep rooms and linen corners have linen bags.
- Ensure every patient that comes to the recovery bay have their names written on the bed board and wiped off when they are transferred to discharged lounge.
- Offer patients refreshments at the discharged lounge if required
- Ensure biscuits and tea is available in the discharged lounge.
- Check all alcohol dispenser and request if empty
- Change the PROUD board at reception with the coordinator’s name and date daily.
- Photocopy patient aftercare information sheets
Please see full list of roles and responsibilities in the job description attached
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