About this role
Job summary
The Senior HCA /Senior Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering care to patients. Support and supervision is provided by a Registered Professional.
The Senior HCA / Senior Healthcare Support Worker carries out a range of patient care tasks and duties to enable the team to provide an effective and efficient service within Acute hospital settings.
To achieve this, the Senior HCA/ Senior Healthcare Support Worker will:
Competently perform the necessary aspects of care for patients. Ensure effective delivery of clinical care is provided to patients and that an acceptable standard is maintained. Follow Trust policies and provide a safe and person-centred environment for the treatment of patients. Participate in personal and practice development activities to maintain standards of care.
Please note that the following are essential requirements for this post:
A valid Care Certificate issued by an NHS provider organisation (Care Certificates issued by private organisations are not accepted). An NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care qualification obtained from a UK college. Applicants should ensure that they clearly demonstrate how they meet these requirements within their application.
Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship or a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for this post.
Main duties of the job
Demonstrates care and compassion to patients, carers and relatives to help ensure high-quality person-centred patient care is delivered at all times.
To carry out a range of assigned patient care tasks as directed by a Registered Professional to ensure delivery of a high quality of patient care.
To report observed changes in the patients' physical/psychological needs to the Registered Professional.
Performs a range of tests and report results to Registered Professional, e.g. urinalysis, blood pressure, pregnancy testing, patient observations and similar activities.
Performs a range of patient care tasks e.g. wound observation and dressings, removal of peripheral cannula, stoma bag changing and reports any issues to the Registered Professional.
To deal with questions and enquiries from patients, carers and relatives e.g. on the clients' condition or for any suggestions or complaints that they wish to raise. Where appropriate, refer these to a Registered Professional.
Assists with the safe transfer of all patients.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream
Job description Job responsibilities
Patient care and clinical duties
Demonstrates care and compassion to patients, carers and relatives to help ensure high-quality person-centred patient care is delivered at all times.
Communicates/liaises with members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure high standards of patient care.
Demonstrates care and compassion to patients, carers and relatives to help ensure high quality person centred patient care is delivered at all times.
Assist patients with activities of daily living. This will typically include all basic care including the feeding, bathing and repositioning of the patient under the supervision of a trained Professional.
Provide support to the registered professional and, where appropriate, other members of the Clinical Team as required.
To co-operate with and maintain good relationships with team colleagues and staff in other disciplines that are attending and treating clients to maximise patient care.
Maintain good relationships and an empathic approach to the patients family, relatives and carers and refer them to a trained professional for any questions they may have on the clients condition or for any suggestions or complaints that they wish to raise.
Report observed changes in the patients physical and psychological needs.
Policies, procedures and standards
To maintain patient confidentiality at all times and follow information governance policies and procedures.
To participate in maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, e.g. fluid intake charts to ensure effective communication.
To follow Trust policies and procedures to ensure maintenance of safe working practices for patients and colleagues.
To follow ward and unit procedures for the use of supplies and equipment in order to promote the effective and efficient use of resources.
Equipment and resources
Adhere to department procedures for the use of supplies and equipment in order to promote the effective and efficient use of resources.
Share responsibility for key aspects of housekeeping and stock control demonstrating a good awareness of cost efficiency and safety.
Undertakes routine and regular checks on patient trolleys and bed spaces ensuring all relevant equipment is clean, in good working order and in-tact and reports faults to Registered Professional.
Personal development and learning
To participate in personal career development plan to maintain skills and develop personal growth through training and education.
Equipment, Systems and Machinery
The post holder is expected to demonstrate and act on the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
The healthcare support worker will use a range of equipment and resources in their role and some of these are listed below:
Patient trolleys, beds, moving & handling equipment, patient positioning pressure relieving aids
Glucometer, Blood Gas Machine, Bloodbank Fridge
Drip Stands, Peak Flow
PC/Printer, Phone
The post holder is responsible for inputting information into patient written records where applicable, e.g., Complying with the Data Protection Act, Caldicott Guidelines and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records.
Under supervision by a Registered Professional, the post holder will assist with maintaining accurate patient care documentation. A number of systems are regularly used, including Icare, Rio, Safeguard, etc.
Decisions and Judgement
The post holder is responsible to the Registered Professional or deputy for clinical guidance and professional management, work review and formal appraisal of performance.
Workload will be determined by the Registered Professional /Deputy.
Exercise the ability to plan and deliver allocated workload.
Demonstrates the ability to acknowledge changes in the patients physical/psychological needs and report them to the Registered Professional in charge of the patient.
Decide when to refer enquiries from the patient, carers and relatives to the Registered Professional.
The Senior HCA / Senior Healthcare Support Worker is responsible for accepting delegated tasks from the Registered Professional and is accountable for undertaking them. The Senior HCA / Senior Healthcare Support Worker should highlight any concerns about undertaking the task.
Sometimes works without direct supervision using own initiative within the parameters set in polices and SOPs with guidance from the Registered Professional available at all times.
Communication and Relationships
The post holder communicates and liaises with the patient, their relatives/carers and the multidisciplinary team and maintains good relationships.
Communicates with other relevant professionals, for example Registered Professional / Registered Professional / members of the multi-disciplinary team for information regarding patients clinical condition/clinical problems/workload issues.
Communicates with the Registered Professional for advice regarding educational and training issues relevant to patient management and personal development.
Communicates with other departments for example, Estates, Supplies Department.
There is a requirement to take account of communication barriers, for example, when English is not the persons first language, people with hearing difficulties, learning disabilities etc. and communicate effectively to deliver person centred care at all times.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
Vocational qualification at level III qualification or equivalent relevant experience (gained by on the job learning) and short courses. Care Certificate attainment Effective written and verbal communication, literacy, numeracy, and IT skills to a minimum of Level 1 Maths and English Basic IT Skills
Experience Essential
Experience of dealing with the general public Experience of working in a health or social care environment.
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively. A requirement to be punctual and reliable Ability to follow a clear instruction and feed back to senior staff. Effective written and verbal communication skills/literacy/ numeracy skills Good observation skills and recognition of the importance of reporting Ability to carry out assigned tasks effectively in a busy environment. Able to prioritise and meet deadlines. Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative.
Personal Qualities and Skills Essential
Able to work within the scope of their practice under direct and indirect supervision by the registered professional (training will be provided) Demonstrable knowledge of equipment used in healthcare and ensure that they are compatible and in good working order and escalate any concerns to a registered professional. Caring, compassionate and empathetic disposition
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 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address University Hospital Lewisham. Alder Ward
Lewisham High Street SE13 6LH
London
SE13 6LH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)