Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose:To support professionally qualified staff in providing quality care for patients. This is a generic job description, which covers the range of duties that a healthcare assistant (direct patient care) may be required to undertake.

In addition the role will require the post holder to competently and regularly undertake Clerical and administrative duties as part of daily workload in line with service needs

The particular duties to be undertaken by the post holder will be determined by the department manager. Objectives, performance and training needs will be regularly reviewed in accordance with the Trusts Performance review guidelines.

Key Duties:

ClinicalAssist the multi professional team to prepare and support patients undergoing treatment and/or investigations maintaining privacy and dignity at all times.

To comply with all Trust Policies and Procedures to maintain a safe working environment for patients and staff.

To undertake clinical procedures as defined by Trust protocol and procedures.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of health and safety at work in order to maintain a safe environment

To attend to the activities of daily living needs of patients, under the supervision and direction of a qualified nurse, to ensure that patients receive care appropriate to their needs. All care given must be documented in the patient record and countersigned by a trained nurse.

To report immediately to the Nurse in Charge any observed change in a patients condition or any concern expressed by a patient about nursing or medical treatment to maintain patient safety and improve communication.

Ensure own actions help to maintain quality.

To undertake observations this includes temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels and conscious level using the AVPU score. Any variations must be reported immediately to trained staff to maintain patient safety.

Undertake routine assessment tasks related to the individuals health and wellbeing.

To obtain non-invasive clinical samples, as directed by a trained nurse, to ensure that the patient receives treatment appropriate to their needs.

To obtain blood samples as directed by trained nurse and with set criteria within own sphere of competence following recognised and assessed program of training

Assist in delivering programme of care to meet individuals health and wellbeing needs.

To respond appropriately to clinical emergencies to ensure the patient receives appropriate care.

To chaperone patients to other clinical departments, following assessment by a trained nurse, to maintain patient safety.

Communication

To answer telephone calls, bleeps etc. and to take messages informing appropriate persons of the call or bleep received.

To respond to patient requests for non- clinical information to improve communication.

Establish and maintain communication with people on routine and operational matters.

To receive ward/department visitors in a hospitable manner to encourage good working relationships.

To act always in a manner which promotes positive working relationships and maintains the professional image of the Trust.

Clerical

To carry out reception and clerical duties competently and regularly as part of day to day function of role and to cover clinic administrator when off.

Competent computer skills

Competent use of trust clinical systems within clinical governance framework

Cleaning and general house keeping

To assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean clinical environment to reduce the risk of infection.

Cleaning and tidying examination rooms/ clinic areas.

Be responsible for stock check and rotation

To alert those responsible for ordering equipment when stock are required

Local Ward/Department Variation to Core Job Description

To communicate effectively with children and young people and their families

To be willing to develop new skills in area such as play, communication with children and families.

To be able to competently use all trust IT and clinical systems i.e. OASIS, bluespier, intranet within clearly defined information governance framework.

To comply with trust child protection safeguarding procedures and attend mandatory training and updates.

This job description forms the basis of the healthcare and administrative assistant duties. You should be aware that there might be other specific assigned tasks relevant to a particular area of work.

Standard Clauses:The purpose of this post should remain constant, but the duties and responsibilities may vary over time within the overall role and level of the post. The post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties. Any such changes will be made in discussion with the post holder in the light of service needs.

Competence

The post holder is responsible for limiting his / her actions to those which s/he feels competent to undertake. If the post holder has any doubts as to his or her competence during the course of his / her duties then s/he should immediately speak to their line manager or supervisor.

Codes of conduct

All employees of the Trust who are required to be registered with a professional body, to enable them to practise within their profession, are required to comply with their code of conduct and requirements of their professional registration. Those staff that are not required to be registered with a professional body are required to comply with the Trusts codes of conduct.

Confidentiality

The post holder must maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients, staff and other Health Service business.

Records Management

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records that they gather, create or use as part of their work within the Trust (including patient, financial, personnel and administrative), whether paper or computer based. All such records are considered public records and all employees have a legal duty of confidence to service users. Employees should consult their manager if they have any doubt as to the correct management of records with which they work.

Health and Safety

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992) and all relevant Trust Health and Safety Policies and Guidance. This ensures that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors to the Trust.

Infection Control:Employees must accept personal responsibility and accountability for Infection Prevention and Control practice. Employees should ensure they are familiar with, and comply with, all relevant Infection Control policies for minimising the risk of avoidable Health Care Associated Infection. All Employees must undertake annual mandatory updates in Infection Control.

Risk Management

It is a standard element of the role and responsibility of all employees of the Trust that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, taking appropriate actions, and reporting all incidents, near misses, and hazards promptly. It is a contractual obligation that all employees must co-operate with any investigations undertaken.

Children and vulnerable adults

You have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the children / young people / vulnerable adults that you come into contact with or are responsible for in your job role and sphere of competence.

Disclosure and Barring Service

The Trust aims to promote equality of opportunity for all, with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. Criminal records will be taken into account for recruitment purposes, only when the conviction is relevant. As the Trust meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. Postholders may periodically be asked to undertake a re-check.

The Trust is legally required to check all staff against the Disclosures and Barring Services Childrens and Vulnerable Adults barring lists if they engage in what is defined as Regulated Activity or Controlled Activity: Regulated Activity is defined as working closely with children or vulnerable adults, paid or unpaid, on a frequent or intensive basis. Controlled activity is work that provides opportunities for contact with children or vulnerable adults.

Equality and Diversity

The Trust promotes policies and practices that challenge discrimination, promote equality, respect individual needs, preferences and choices, and protects human rights. The Trust has a clear commitment to equality for all in employment practices based on an applicants ability, skills and aptitude for the post. A range of equality & diversity policy initiatives are in place and all successful applicants are expected to familiarise themselves with these. It is therefore the duty of every employee to comply with the detail and spirit of these policies and the law at all times. Any issues or concerns you have should be taken up with your manager or the human resource team as soon as possible.

Dignity

All employees must treat each person as an individual, offering a personalised service respecting peoples dignity and modesty at all times.

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose:To support professionally qualified staff in providing quality care for patients. This is a generic job description, which covers the range of duties that a healthcare assistant (direct patient care) may be required to undertake.

In addition the role will require the post holder to competently and regularly undertake Clerical and administrative duties as part of daily workload in line with service needs

The particular duties to be undertaken by the post holder will be determined by the department manager. Objectives, performance and training needs will be regularly reviewed in accordance with the Trusts Performance review guidelines.

Key Duties:

ClinicalAssist the multi professional team to prepare and support patients undergoing treatment and/or investigations maintaining privacy and dignity at all times.

To comply with all Trust Policies and Procedures to maintain a safe working environment for patients and staff.

To undertake clinical procedures as defined by Trust protocol and procedures.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of health and safety at work in order to maintain a safe environment

To attend to the activities of daily living needs of patients, under the supervision and direction of a qualified nurse, to ensure that patients receive care appropriate to their needs. All care given must be documented in the patient record and countersigned by a trained nurse.

To report immediately to the Nurse in Charge any observed change in a patients condition or any concern expressed by a patient about nursing or medical treatment to maintain patient safety and improve communication.

Ensure own actions help to maintain quality.

To undertake observations this includes temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels and conscious level using the AVPU score. Any variations must be reported immediately to trained staff to maintain patient safety.

Undertake routine assessment tasks related to the individuals health and wellbeing.

To obtain non-invasive clinical samples, as directed by a trained nurse, to ensure that the patient receives treatment appropriate to their needs.

To obtain blood samples as directed by trained nurse and with set criteria within own sphere of competence following recognised and assessed program of training

Assist in delivering programme of care to meet individuals health and wellbeing needs.

To respond appropriately to clinical emergencies to ensure the patient receives appropriate care.

To chaperone patients to other clinical departments, following assessment by a trained nurse, to maintain patient safety.

Communication

To answer telephone calls, bleeps etc. and to take messages informing appropriate persons of the call or bleep received.

To respond to patient requests for non- clinical information to improve communication.

Establish and maintain communication with people on routine and operational matters.

To receive ward/department visitors in a hospitable manner to encourage good working relationships.

To act always in a manner which promotes positive working relationships and maintains the professional image of the Trust.

Clerical

To carry out reception and clerical duties competently and regularly as part of day to day function of role and to cover clinic administrator when off.

Competent computer skills

Competent use of trust clinical systems within clinical governance framework

Cleaning and general house keeping

To assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean clinical environment to reduce the risk of infection.

Cleaning and tidying examination rooms/ clinic areas.

Be responsible for stock check and rotation

To alert those responsible for ordering equipment when stock are required

Local Ward/Department Variation to Core Job Description

To communicate effectively with children and young people and their families

To be willing to develop new skills in area such as play, communication with children and families.

To be able to competently use all trust IT and clinical systems i.e. OASIS, bluespier, intranet within clearly defined information governance framework.

To comply with trust child protection safeguarding procedures and attend mandatory training and updates.

This job description forms the basis of the healthcare and administrative assistant duties. You should be aware that there might be other specific assigned tasks relevant to a particular area of work.

Standard Clauses:The purpose of this post should remain constant, but the duties and responsibilities may vary over time within the overall role and level of the post. The post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties. Any such changes will be made in discussion with the post holder in the light of service needs.

Competence

The post holder is responsible for limiting his / her actions to those which s/he feels competent to undertake. If the post holder has any doubts as to his or her competence during the course of his / her duties then s/he should immediately speak to their line manager or supervisor.

Codes of conduct

All employees of the Trust who are required to be registered with a professional body, to enable them to practise within their profession, are required to comply with their code of conduct and requirements of their professional registration. Those staff that are not required to be registered with a professional body are required to comply with the Trusts codes of conduct.

Confidentiality

The post holder must maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients, staff and other Health Service business.

Records Management

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records that they gather, create or use as part of their work within the Trust (including patient, financial, personnel and administrative), whether paper or computer based. All such records are considered public records and all employees have a legal duty of confidence to service users. Employees should consult their manager if they have any doubt as to the correct management of records with which they work.

Health and Safety

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992) and all relevant Trust Health and Safety Policies and Guidance. This ensures that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors to the Trust.

Infection Control:Employees must accept personal responsibility and accountability for Infection Prevention and Control practice. Employees should ensure they are familiar with, and comply with, all relevant Infection Control policies for minimising the risk of avoidable Health Care Associated Infection. All Employees must undertake annual mandatory updates in Infection Control.

Risk Management

It is a standard element of the role and responsibility of all employees of the Trust that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, taking appropriate actions, and reporting all incidents, near misses, and hazards promptly. It is a contractual obligation that all employees must co-operate with any investigations undertaken.

Children and vulnerable adults

You have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the children / young people / vulnerable adults that you come into contact with or are responsible for in your job role and sphere of competence.

Disclosure and Barring Service

The Trust aims to promote equality of opportunity for all, with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. Criminal records will be taken into account for recruitment purposes, only when the conviction is relevant. As the Trust meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. Postholders may periodically be asked to undertake a re-check.

The Trust is legally required to check all staff against the Disclosures and Barring Services Childrens and Vulnerable Adults barring lists if they engage in what is defined as Regulated Activity or Controlled Activity: Regulated Activity is defined as working closely with children or vulnerable adults, paid or unpaid, on a frequent or intensive basis. Controlled activity is work that provides opportunities for contact with children or vulnerable adults.

Equality and Diversity

The Trust promotes policies and practices that challenge discrimination, promote equality, respect individual needs, preferences and choices, and protects human rights. The Trust has a clear commitment to equality for all in employment practices based on an applicants ability, skills and aptitude for the post. A range of equality & diversity policy initiatives are in place and all successful applicants are expected to familiarise themselves with these. It is therefore the duty of every employee to comply with the detail and spirit of these policies and the law at all times. Any issues or concerns you have should be taken up with your manager or the human resource team as soon as possible.

Dignity

All employees must treat each person as an individual, offering a personalised service respecting peoples dignity and modesty at all times.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Basic Education GCSE or equivilant

Desirable

• Qualified in Phlebotomy
• NVQ level 2
• Recognised qualification in English.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Aware of professional and self-image.
• Flexible and adaptable
• Flexible attitude to routine /non routine work. Good interpersonal skills and demonstrate an understanding of diversity and compassion.

Desirable

• Ability to identify personal development needs.
• Responds well to change and innovation.

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of working as a HCA in an acute hospital environment/ outpatient/ day case setting

Desirable

• Working with Children within a health care setting.
• Previous experience in contact with children and young people

Skills/Knowledge

Essential

• Basic numeracy, good verbal and written communication skills.
• Legible handwriting.
• Ability to maintain high standards of patient care and work with a confidential manner.
• Basic IT Skills including access email

Desirable

• Extended IT skills,
• Knowledge of PAS, Bluespier. ICE requesting systems
• Willingness to undertake venepuncture and cannulation Or Venepuncture and cannulation competencies

Other

Essential

• Able to understand the importance of confidentiality.
• Willingness to undertake further training if / when required.
• Standard Clauses
• A Disclosures and Barring Service check will be carried out where the position is eligible for a Disclosures and Barring Service Check in accordance with the 2012 Protection of Freedom Act and the guidance issued by the DBS.
• All posts working with children or vulnerable adults are required to have an Enhanced DBS checked including checking against DBS / ISA Vetting and Barring lists

Desirable

• Keyboard/computer skills and knowledge

Qualifications

Essential

• Basic Education GCSE or equivilant

Desirable

• Qualified in Phlebotomy
• NVQ level 2
• Recognised qualification in English.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Aware of professional and self-image.
• Flexible and adaptable
• Flexible attitude to routine /non routine work. Good interpersonal skills and demonstrate an understanding of diversity and compassion.

Desirable

• Ability to identify personal development needs.
• Responds well to change and innovation.

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of working as a HCA in an acute hospital environment/ outpatient/ day case setting

Desirable

• Working with Children within a health care setting.
• Previous experience in contact with children and young people

Skills/Knowledge

Essential

• Basic numeracy, good verbal and written communication skills.
• Legible handwriting.
• Ability to maintain high standards of patient care and work with a confidential manner.
• Basic IT Skills including access email

Desirable

• Extended IT skills,
• Knowledge of PAS, Bluespier. ICE requesting systems
• Willingness to undertake venepuncture and cannulation Or Venepuncture and cannulation competencies

Other

Essential

• Able to understand the importance of confidentiality.
• Willingness to undertake further training if / when required.
• Standard Clauses
• A Disclosures and Barring Service check will be carried out where the position is eligible for a Disclosures and Barring Service Check in accordance with the 2012 Protection of Freedom Act and the guidance issued by the DBS.
• All posts working with children or vulnerable adults are required to have an Enhanced DBS checked including checking against DBS / ISA Vetting and Barring lists

Desirable

• Keyboard/computer skills and knowledge

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)