Healthcare Support Worker - Warrington

Job overview

Warrington is an acute 17 bedded Surgical ward that has a high patient flow and varied acuity levels.  Specialist areas of care are: ENT, Maxillo Facial Surgery, Gynaecology, Opthalmology and Head and Neck Cancer patients.

As a Senior Healthcare Support Worker, 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.

You will find solutions to problems and be able to demonstrate a positive approach to new challenges, encouraging others to do the same while helping to create an environment where differences are valued, encouraged and supported.

Main duties of the job

• Observing, monitoring and recording patients' conditions by taking temperatures, pulse, respirations and weight.
• Communicating with patients, relatives and carers, assisting with clinical duties.
• Personal care including infection prevention and control, food, personal hygiene and overall reassurance, comfort and safety.
• To complete additional specialist training for our multi speciality patients.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels, both within, and outside the department.
• To take part as requested in ward/unit meetings, encouraging effective communications between other staff.
• At the direction of the Registered Nurses /Senior Clinical Staff, participate fully in the delivery of planned care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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 service users and relatives.
• To ensure a cohesive working environment and effective team work in all assignments.

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.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

• Everyone has a responsibility to ensure effective and conservative use of resources.
• Maintain paperless filing wherever possible (excluding where any statutory duty may exist). Do not print/ photocopy unless necessary
• Ensure conservative use of stationery, not using equipment to excess
• Ensure that any stationery or resource needs are ordered and managed effectively
• Much of this role requires use of VDU equipment, with frequent long periods of sitting. Frequent use of a range of web based systems such as NHS Jobs

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

• To undertake a responsible attitude towards economy and care of equipment and property, and be aware of conditions/hazards predisposing to accidents.
• Ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
• Checking and reporting to works department and Ward / Unit Leader on environmental conditions, i.e. heating, lighting, and general maintenance of the work environment.

Policy and Service Responsibility

• The post holder will work according to Trust standards, policies and procedures and is accountable and responsible to the registered nursing team.
• All staff have a responsibility to ensure that the needs of the service are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensure compliance with policies procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.
• Encourage and welcome feedback to ensure that we as individuals, and as a collective team, learn and continually improve.

Personal Development

• To be responsible for own personal development; attending study days/courses as appropriate.
• Actively contribute to reviews with your line manager, including supervision and achievement reviews. Be able to ask for support as required.
• Attend mandatory training is kept up-to-date and develop and maintain own knowledge and skills.