Health Care Assistant - Moorfields Private

Moorfields Private invites applications for the post of Health Care Assistant based at  Cumberlege Wing of Moorfields Eye Hospital. The post is to begin on a full time basis. The post-holder will work as part of the Cumberlege Wing team:

-      To participate in the delivery of patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse

-       To contribute towards clinical patient care organization.

-       To give support to ophthalmic nurses in the provision of a safe and caring environment to the patients

You will need to be flexible, practical and reliable with the ability to take responsibility for assigned tasks.

The successful candidate will need to have excellent communication skills, be highly motivated and committed to the delivery of high quality care, has a mature outlook and has previous experience working within a health care or related environment.

The ability to work calmly in a changing environment is desirable.

The post holder works as part of the ward/department team under the supervision of a Registered Nurses and will:

·         Participate in the delivery of patient centred care, maintaining a compassionate and professional attitude at all times.

·         Contribute to the ward/department organisation.

·         Support Registered Nurses in the provision of a caring and safe environment.

·         Demonstrate competence in generic and specialist skills as required following the completion of the appropriate training and education and within 12 months from commencement in role.

·         Function at a competency level in line with the requirements of the post and achieve and maintain both mandatory and statutory training requirements associated with the role.

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

1. Support qualified staff in the assessment of health needs and the delivery of care for a number of individuals or groups of patients, including clinical risk assessment.

2. Work collaboratively with others as part of the multi-disciplinary team, assisting nursing and other clinical staff in duties associated with patient care.

3. Support colleagues in ensuring that patients receive care in a timely manner during their visit to Moorfields. Ensuring that patients are fully informed of any delays and what is being done to address or rectify delays in treatments or clinical tests.

4. Treat patients with dignity and respect and maintaining their confidentiality both inside and outside the hospital environment.

5. Provide support to the clinical team in the delivery of care ensuring that these are within your personal scope of knowledge and competency.

6. Ensure that the clinical areas are prepared for use at the start of each shift and reviewed at regular intervals throughout the day e.g. ensuring that clinical areas are clean and tidy, all the necessary equipment such as clinical documents and consumables are stocked up adhering to all health and safety and infection control policies.

7. Be responsible for the initial reporting of faulty equipment and follow-up repairs, keeping the nurse in charge informed.

8. Provide comfort, reassurance and support to patients and their carers in times of high anxiety or distress.

9. Respond appropriately to emergency situations.

10. Act as chaperone when required.

11. Be a “competent user” of the variety of technical equipment (computerised and mechanical) and act as a resource person for novice users.

12. Manage patient flow by monitoring patient times along the patient journey. Report any delays to the nurse in charge. Ensure those patients that require special assistance are monitored and supported.

13. Ensure effective handover of patients between shifts/healthcare professionals/ departments/wards using a range communication aids such as verbal handover/ written documentation/referral.

14. Escort patients to toilet and hygiene facilities, providing assistance and care where required, including active participation in physical activities.

15. Provide patients with feedback forms for completion. Assist patients to complete these forms where required and ensure they are placed in the designated collection areas.

16. Ensure patient information leaflets are stocked and maintained.

17. Provide beverages and food for patients when required under the direction of a Registered Nurse.

18. Following the completion of training and confirmation of competency in practice, administer prescribed eye drops to patients in accordance with trust policy, being aware of contra-indications and side effects.

19. Give clear and concise explanation and test instructions to ensure maximum patient understanding and co-operation, taking into account patients who have visual impairment, hearing loss, physical or mental disabilities, learning difficulties, different age groups, cultural differences and non-English speaking patients.

20. Observe and report to the Registered Nurse any change in a patients physical and psychological condition. Support families and carers when bad news has been shared.

21. Obtain verbal consent from the patients before any clinical intervention is undertaken; where this is not given report this to a registered nurse.

22. Be conversant with and adhere to all trust policies, procedures and systems for safeguarding including the assessment of Mental Capacity, the process for requests for Deprivation of Liberty Standards (DOLS) and demonstration of the principles of Prevent (counter terrorism awareness).

23. Ensure any safeguarding concerns are raised with the Registered Nurse.

24. Be an active participant in providing education and health promotion advice to patients and their   carers.