Healthcare Support Worker - New Forrest Ward

Job overview

As a Senior Healthcare Support Worker with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, you will be working together as part of a multidisciplinary,  professional team to assist the registered nurses and senior clinical staff in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care. Our staff are committed to providing high standards of individualised care for the people who use our services, whilst maintaining their privacy and dignity at all times. HCSWs will have a great opportunity to learn new clinical skills in a supportive environment with an enthusiastic team for developing staff, with the potential for progression within the role.

Main duties of the job

• Observing, monitoring and recording of all vital signs using the NEWS2 assessment tool
• Providing personal care to patients to meet personal hygiene
• Supporting patients with nutrition, feeding and assisting with fluids
• Supporting patients with comfort
• Emptying catheter bags and recording output
• Working under supervision of a registered nurse completing patient documentation
• To participate in discussions and projects that will benefit the team, the patients and the department as a whole
• Helping to facilitate the development of the service as part of the wider team
• Following Trust’s policies and protocols to ensure the safety of the ward

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As a Senior Healthcare Support Worker with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, you will be working together as part of a multidisciplinary, professional team to assist the registered nurses and senior clinical staff in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care.

Communication and Working Relationships

• To take part as requested in ward/unit meetings, encouraging effective communications between other staff
• To participate in team building/communication, and to develop a cohesive, supportive and effective team
• To work towards the agreed philosophy and objectives of the ward/department
• Participate in client and public involvement activities
• To liaise and communicate effectively with all parts of the multidisciplinary team to co-ordinate person-centred care
• To liaise and communicate effectively with all service users and relatives
• To ensure a cohesive working environment and effective team work in all assignments
• To liaise with the multidisciplinary team, coordinating patient care, communicating with relatives ensuring they have adequate information at all times
• To liaise with other departments ensuring information regarding the patient is given appropriately

Planning and Organisation

• At the direction of the Registered Nurses /Senior Clinical Staff, participate fully in the delivery of planned care
• Be responsive to change and able to work in an environment which has constant interruptions

Responsibility and Accountability

• Act with integrity and professionalism, ensuring that you are demonstrating responsible behaviours at all times, in accordance with our Trust values
• Be accountable for your actions and learn from mistakes. Be honest and share experiences, encouraging learning in others
• Supporting the wider team during peak activity or during absences
• To ensure high standards of care in accordance with agreed policies and procedures
• To work with registered nurses and senior clinical staff to maintain a clean and safe environment for clients and staff
• To be aware of clients’ emotional, social and physical needs, reporting back to senior staff responsible for clients’ care
• Provide information to enable the effectiveness of care delivered to be evaluated and accurate records maintained
• Record in the relevant documentation the care that has been delivered contemporaneously
• Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations
• Work collaboratively with registered / senior staff, other health professionals and hotel service staff to ensure clients’ holistic needs are met
• Update client IT systems in the absence of the ward / unit administrator where appropriate
• To liaise with ward / unit administrators regarding clients’ records for clinics / admissions / discharges
• Report any incidents, accidents or complaints to the person in charge of the ward/unit in accordance with Trusts policies

Please see our attached job description and person specification form for full details of the role responsibilities and duties.