About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and compassionate Healthcare Support Worker Band 3 to join our dynamic team within Ward 25 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The post holder will work under the supervision of Registered Nursing Staff as part of the Ward 25 multidisciplinary team, supporting the delivery of safe, compassionate and person-centred care for elderly patients with complex medical, frailty, dementia, rehabilitation and discharge planning needs. They will undertake delegated fundamental care duties, including supporting nutrition, hydration, mobility, continence, skin integrity, falls prevention, comfort and patient wellbeing.
The post holder will report changes in patients' condition promptly to the Registered Nurse, maintain dignity, privacy and respect, communicate effectively with patients, relatives and colleagues, and contribute to a clean, safe and organised ward environment.
Please note, you will need to provide one of the following criteria:
A Care Certificate issued by an NHS provider organisation (Care Certificate from private is not acceptable An NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care certificate from a UK college. Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will deliver delegated and supervised care as assigned by a Registered Nurse, ensuring that any changes in the patient's condition, behaviour, mobility, nutrition, hydration, skin integrity, continence, or overall wellbeing are promptly reported to the Registered Nurse.
The post holder will contribute to the delivery of high-quality, safe, compassionate, and person-centred care within Ward 25, which provides care for elderly patients with complex medical, frailty, dementia, rehabilitation, and discharge planning needs. The role will involve supporting patients with activities of daily living, maintaining comfort, promoting independence where possible, and ensuring that patients' physical, psychological, emotional, and social needs are met.
The post holder will support the ward team in maintaining patient safety through effective observation, falls prevention, pressure ulcer prevention, nutrition and hydration support, continence care, infection prevention, and accurate documentation within their scope of practice. They will also assist in maintaining a clean, safe, and organised ward environment.
The post holder will work in a respectful and compassionate manner, ensuring that patients are treated with dignity, privacy, and respect at all times. They will be expected to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers, and members of the multidisciplinary team, recognising the needs of a diverse patient group and escalating any concerns appropriately
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
1. Key Result Areas:
1.1 Hygiene
In accordance with the individual care plan, support patients to meet personal needs in a day care setting by:
Ensuring patients maintain good standards of hand hygiene.
1.2 Mobility
In accordance with the individual care plan, support patients to meet their mobility needs and prevent the hazards of immobility by:
Encouraging mobility and exercise where appropriate
Provide supervision and assistance where necessary to assist patient mobility
Ensure the correct equipment is readily available to be used by patients when mobilising
Positioning the patient to aid effective breathing
Promoting patient comfort by adding / removing pillows / blankets and regularly changing patients position to maintain skin integrity.
Nutrition
In accordance with the individual care plan, support patients to meet their nutritional needs
Assisting patients to eat and drink, ensuring that food is presented to encourage independence.
Monitoring, recording and maintain food and fluid intake record charts as directed.
Providing nutritional support, including meals and snacks as instructed, encouraging patients on an individual basis.
Elimination
In accordance with the individual care plan, support patients to meet their elimination needs by:
Assisting patients to use the appropriate toilet facilities regularly.
Changing clothing/bedding and cleaning if patient is incontinent.
Performing / assisting the patient to perform catheter care, stoma site care.
Maintaining a safe environment
Contribute to the provision of a safe environment for patients by:
Ensuring ward / departmental equipment is cleaned and well maintained and report any required repairs required in line with Trust policy.
Adhering to any patient isolation requirements
Safely disposing of blood and blood products, and sharps.
Cleaning up spillages, washing beds/tables/lockers/chairs in the absence of the ward /department domestic and between patients.
Contribute to the resuscitation of a patient by performing basic CPR following appropriate training.
Communication
Support effective communication by:
Answering telephone and personal enquiries in a clear, polite and professional manner, taking messages and referring calls or enquiries as appropriate, ensuring strict confidentiality at all times in line with Trust policy.
Participating in meetings as required.
Supporting the transfer of patients to other wards and departments with the appropriate documentation.
Communication with patients about the times of tests, at the request of a registered nurse
Participating in discussions with the Registered Nurse when evaluating patient care.
Documenting patient care, in line with Trust policy, as and when provided, ensuring that this is discussed with and countersigned by a registered Nurse.
Provide clear verbal updates to members of the multi-disciplinary team relating to patient care.
In accordance with the individual care plan, support patients who are undergoing intravenous therapy or wound care by:
General observation of an infusion site (peripheral, central and subcutaneous), reporting findings.
Performing simple wound dressings that are non-aseptic.
Contribute to the registered Nurse assessment of a patient by undertaking the following observations and reporting findings to the registered Nurse:
Temperature
Pulse
Blood Pressure manual and electronic
Respirations
Peak Expiratory flow rate
Oxygen saturation levels
Check and use trust blood glucose monitoring equipment to measure and record patients blood sugar following appropriate training.
Weighing patients
Capillary Blood Sugars (Blood sugar monitoring)
Urine output
Contribute to the registered Nurse Assessment of a patient by undertaking the following assessment and reporting all findings to the registered Nurse:
Undertake patient at risk observations and scoring, escalating as per protocol
Undertake mouth care assessment
Undertake nutritional scoring
Undertake Waterlow scoring
Undertake falls assessment
Undertake moving and handling assessment
MRSA Screening
Contribute to the registered Nurse assessment of a patient by undertaking the following tests and reporting findings to the registered Nurse/Midwife.
Undertake urinalysis
Obtain Mid-Stream Urine specimens and Catheter Specimens of Urine
Undertake Pregnancy testing (urine only) and report findings
Collect specimens via invasive swabs as and when requested by a registered nurse/midwife/AHP; i.e., urine, faeces, sputum and wound. Pack and label same.
Undertake phlebotomy and cannulation as directed by the RN
Ward Administration Housekeeping
Support the general day to day administration of the ward by:
Putting away linen and stock items when delivered to the area.
Reporting and recording any potential hazards and equipment repairs.
Caring for patients property and clothing particularly dentures, hearing aids and glasses.
Personal
Attend mandatory study sessions and training associated with the maintenance of the skills and knowledge required to fulfil the role.
Participate in the staff appraisal process
Provide a safe environment for the safety and welfare of patients, visitors and staff by ensuring compliance with:
Health and Safety at Work Act
Fire Prevention Management
Infection Control procedures
Risk Management
COSHH
Mandatory Training
Workforce
Works under the direct supervision and direction of Registered Nurses
Acts as a role model to other Health Care Assistants
Works in close collaboration with all members of ward/department-based teams
Financial
Has awareness of the costs of all locally held non pay items.
Supports the appropriate use of all ward non-pay items.
Partakes in all relevant Cost Improvement programmes. Identifying and reporting where cost savings that do not compromise patient care can be made.
Partnerships
To liaise with and facilitate effective communication within the multi-disciplinary team.
To act as a role model to other staff, providing informal education and support for them in their provision of care to all outpatients.
General
To demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development through performance review, clinical supervision and continuing education.
To complete mandatory training, as determined by the Trust.
To personally adhere to all Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Policies and Procedures.
To be able to use ward level IT packages.
To regularly work with body fluids
May be exposed to violence and aggression from patients, carers or visitors
Will be required to support patients who require enhanced care levels, perhaps due to confusion or risk of falling
Will be exposed to bereavement and bereaved carers, and may be required to support them emotionally
Will be frequently required to move and handle patients and objectives.
Role is generally predictable, but will require the postholder to respond to unexpected clinical situations
Person Specification
Knowledge Essential
Basic understanding of fundamental patient care, including hygiene, nutrition, hydration, mobility, continence and comfort Awareness of caring for elderly and frail patients, including those with confusion, dementia or general cognitive needs. Awareness of falls prevention, pressure ulcer prevention, patient safety and the need to escalate concerns promptly
Skills Essential
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patients, relatives, carers and the multidisciplinary team Ability to use computers or electronic systems as part of daily work
Desirable
Previous experience working in a healthcare, ward, care home or hospital environment
Personal Qualities Essential
Caring, compassionate, respectful and supportive towards patients, relatives and colleagues Able to work flexible shifts, including days, nights, weekends and bank holidays as required by the service.
Qualifications Essential
NVQ Level 2 in Care or equivalent qualification Care Certificate completed or willingness to complete as part of induction/training
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 Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Stadium road
London
SE18 4QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)