Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice:

·       Working under the direction of a registered healthcare professional, participate in the personal care of patients and prioritising workload appropriately and developing competencies that safeguard practice and effectiveness in role.

·       The Healthcare Support Worker -Care Maker will undertake high quality, caring and compassionate personal care and associated duties under the direction and supervision of the registered professional and working as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

·       Undertake operational duties which include:

o   Transporting specimens

o   Collecting drugs/instruments/ case notes/instruments

o   Escort duties

o   Document information relating to personal care, onto HIS under the direction of a registered Nurse

o   Maintain and monitor stock levels on the ward/department.

o   Participate in meetings and handover to discuss patients progress and care

o   To safely transport patients

o   Provide support to patients and relatives.

o   Provide support when required to the ward/community Team

o   Undertake Cavendish Care Certificate as required

Planning and organisational duties

·       Provide assistance to patients and relatives according to their individual needs.

·       Support patients with feeding providing education and support

·       Assist registered healthcare professional with skin inspections and catheter care

Communication and Key Working relationships

·       Maintain accurate and timely records, ensuring all entries are legible, accurate and completed within defined timescales.

·       Effective verbal communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure safe high quality care is provided to all patients

·       Provide general non-clinical advice, information and guidance to patients, relatives and visitors

·       Assist with dietary needs of the patients as required

·       Maintain effective working relationships with ward colleagues particularly those highlighted within the organisational chart above.

·       Display a pleasant and supportive manor when addressing patients/relatives/carers and colleagues alike

·       Maintain basic administration tasks, answering telephone when required and the taking of messages and passing on of relevant information

·       Maintain effective communication skills when liaising with patients, staff and visitors, using tact and empathy to receive and pass on information ensuring confidentiality is maintained

Patient/Service user related tasks and duties

• Work as part of a team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual
• Assists with washing, bathing, showering, hair and oral care:
• Assists with dressing and undressing.
• Applies lotions and creams appropriately during the provision of skin care.
• Assists with nutritional requirements
• Assists with toileting, which may include the use of bedpan, commode or lavatory.
• Assist in maintaining and monitoring cleaning standards within the clinical area ensuring general fixtures/fittings and specialist equipment are cleaned accordance with guidelines
• Comply with the Trusts Infection Control Policy
• Ensure sensitivity in relation to the emotional, cultural and religious beliefs/needs of individual patient’s relatives and /or carers.

Responsibility for Finance

·       Participate in ensuring effective use of all financial resources in providing and delivering an effective service

·       Responsible for maintaining stock control

·       Identify cost savings in order to support the department annual CIP targets

·       Liaise with Estates and Works Departments in respect of all maintenance issues

·        Complete daily checking of equipment and returning of equipment to loan store.

Responsibility for Human Resources      

·       Adhere to Trust policies/ procedures and guidelines

·       Undertake Mandatory Training updates

·       Undertake role specific training for onward development of the role including working towards an apprentice

·       Ensure compliance with Mandatory training requirements in accordance with Trust Policy

Responsibility for Health & Safety

·       Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. 

·       All staff have a duty of care to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults, babies and children

·       Awareness of the Trust vulnerable adult and Child Protection Policy/ Guidelines

Responsibility for Teaching

·       Provide advice and give support to adults and relatives in relation to health promotion.

·       Act as a role model and participate in the support during  training of other healthcare assistances.

This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and is not intended as an exhaustive list.  The job may change over time to reflect the changing needs of the Trust and its services, as well as the personal development needs of the post holder