About this role
Job summary
We are looking for two Advanced Haemodialysis Assistants to work at the King's Dartford Dialysis Unit in Kent.
We are a 12 stationed haemodialysis Unit providing dialysis for 72 patients.
You will support the nurses in delivering safe haemodialysis treatment to patients living with kidney failure.
The role focuses on providing direct patient care before, during and after treatment while ensuring equipment and the dialysis environment are safe and prepared.
As a Band 4 you will cannulate AV fistulas after competency training
Initiate and terminate dialysis treatment
Train patients in shared care dialysis
Support competency training for new staff
Assist with documentation and clinical audits
Shifts:
Long Day - 06:30-18:30hours
Long Day Late - 10:30 - 22:30 hours
Early - 06:30-14:30 hours
Late - 14:30-22:30 Hours
Work 2 Long Days and 2 short days per week. Rotate every 1-2 months 5 day week.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will support the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate dialysis care to patients living with kidney disease.
Advanced Haemodialysis Assistant, must have:
- NVQ level 3 Renal or equivalent (IEN) equivalent,
- Functional skills Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy or GCSE Maths and English A-C
- Care Certificate
- Willing to completed the Advanced Kidney Assistant course and deemed competent
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history, and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description Job responsibilities Clinical Responsibilities:
Work within the recognised boundaries of the remit of Advanced Dialysis Assistant. Assist the nursing staff in delivering a high standard of holistic care to patients, promoting their equality, privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times. Assist in and perform patient assessment including HD intentional rounding (under supervision and an appropriate delegation from the registered practitioner), plan and deliver high standards of HD care. Be proficient with IT systems used in the Trust for patients records Demonstrate a variety of communication skills: provide concise handovers to the nursing team, provide and receive complex sensitive information with reference to patients, carers and members of the MDT regarding all aspects of care, which may be sensitive or contentious. Obtain, relay, record and store information relating to care episode via EPIC, whilst at all times maintaining confidentiality. Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of accurate documentation and contribution towards recording dialysis encounters via EPIC, recognising that the qualified practitioner has personal accountability for entries to patient records. Provide and promote health education to delegated patients within the unit in which they work in line with national and local policies Ensure the appropriate HD related nutritional intake and advice is provided to delegated patients, with due consideration to dietary and cultural needs. Prepare patient for and assist with specific HD related clinical procedures appropriate to the area in which they are working, for example; insertion of temporary vascular catheter. Perform and record blood glucose, and potassium levels utilising point of care monitoring equipment as per Trust policy, report adverse results to a registered nurse. Assist with basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation procedures. Patients delegated per shift will be at the discretion of the Nurse in Charge/Unit Manager
Haemodialysis specific responsibilities:
Be able to set up all models of Haemodialysis machines according to patients dialysis prescription. Be able to safely and competently connect patients to the haemodialysis system, only after all setting and programming have been verified by a Registered Nurse Measure, monitor and record the following, escalating and reporting any abnormalities to the RGN: - Blood pressure, pulse, weight pre/post dialysis
- Temperature
- Respiratory rate
- Oxygen saturation levels
- Blood sugar
- Vascular access arterial and venous pressure
- Transmembrane /Dialysate Inlet pressure
- Blood flow
- Ongoing monitoring via the EPIC flowsheet
- Patient environment for risk of falls
- Assesses the patient for risk of needle dislodgement
- Litres processed
- Treatment start/stop time
- Machine number
- Document dialysis observations
Be able to cannulate both arterial and venous sites of mature AV fistulas with minimal or no support as directed by a registered nurse Be able to undertake routine and monthly blood sampling as requested by a registered nurse Able to meet the needs or care and support at the end of life as well as provide care for the deceased person respecting cultural requirements and protocols, involving families and carers. Be able to competently and safely discontinue haemodialysis when treatment has been completed Be able to safely remove and dispose of AV fistula needles Be able to dispose of all HD circuit lines following infection control guidelines Be able to decontaminate dialysis equipment following infection control guidelines and document using the HD decontamination checklist. Ensure that the HD station equipment is decontaminated accordingly depending on the shift following infection control guidelines and complete documentation via the HD station checklist Identify and take appropriate action when equipment malfunctions adhering to HD faulty equipment reporting section of the decontamination guideline Able to participate in data collection for audit purposes Monitor patients under their care regularly and escalate to the registered nurse any changes to the Registered Nurse and/or raise the emergency call Recognise emergency situations, raise the alarm and be able to administer basic life support
Customer Care/Administration:
To ensure that all patients and relatives are welcomed and orientated to the ward environment To assist with the care of distressed or bereaved relatives To assist with clerical and ward administrative duties, including data management, photocopying, transporting of equipment/data/ paperwork to other departments To provide clear and effective information and communication, both verbally and in documentation.Promptly referring enquiries to the relevant person To maintain confidentiality at all times, in and out of the hospital environment To demonstrate an awareness of the different cultural, ethnic and religious believes
PersonalandProfessionalResponsibilities:
To adhere to, and work within the code of conduct for clinical support workers at Kings College Hospital To be able to identify with support own development needs, completing a competency document and learning objectives within a specified time frame and as agreed by manager To ensure own attendance at mandatory study days and training ( BLS, manualhandling etc.) as required by ward/departmental manager To update skills and knowledge as required by the Trust To actively participate in annual individual performance review Education:
To be involved in teaching and education programs within the unit Be involved in HD shared activities within the unit Be active in link roles within the unit such as falls and HD Shared care To assist in supervising HCAs undertaking the Advanced dialysis assistant course To participate in reflection and clinical supervision as provided
Leadership:
To adhere to, and work within the National Code of Conduct for clinical support workers at Kings College Hospital To manage an agreed workload with supervision and support from colleagues and senior staff To work within and support the multidisciplinary team, contributing ideas toward future developments To act as a role model and advisor to less experienced staff demonstrating and Job reference promoting the Trusts Values and Behaviours To provide day-to-day supervision and co-ordination of junior staff (e.g. healthcare assistants (band 2), apprentices, work experience) supporting their local induction Take personal ownership in giving and receiving feedback To participate in reflection and or clinical supervision sessions as provided To observe personal and collective responsibility for resource management To be responsible with others for any specific risk management associated with the post, reporting and takingappropriate actionsas necessary
Management:
With guidance from the nurse in charge participate in appropriate action relating to complaints, accidents and serious untoward incidents involving patients, staff and visitors. To work within and support the multidisciplinary team, contributing ideas toward future developments To maintain effective communication and professional relationships To observe personal and collective responsibility for resource management Toobservea general duty of care for the health, safety andwell beingof self, work colleagues,visitors and patients
Research and Service Development:
Assist with audits, surveys and research and developmental activities as instructed Provide care to patients taking part in clinical trials as directed by registered healthcare professionals in line with relevant research protocols To act as a liaison with specialist teams and services as a link practitioner enhancing communication and collaborative working by attending meetings and disseminating relevant information (via face to face teaching and written/digital briefings)
Person Specification
scoring Essential
Functional Skills Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy or GCSEs Maths and English Grades A-C NVQ level 3 (Renal) or equivalent (IEN)
Desirable
Has successfully completed a Foundation Degree or working towards the qualification
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Dartford Dialysis Unit
Darent Wood Road
Dartford
DA2 8DA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)