Senior Healthcare Support Worker, Endoscopy

Job overview

Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a reputation for delivering high quality patient care and Our value are simple; to put patients first, to have a passion for excellence, to have pride in our teams and to be able to take personal responsibility.

An opportunity has arisen for Band 3 Senior HCSW to join our team and be a part of our Endoscopy Unit.

We are looking for enthusiastic, independent and committed HCSWs with NHS experience and the care certificate to join our highly motivated and diverse team. We perform approximately 12,000 – 14,000 endoscopic procedures each year.  We work alongside gastroenterologist consultants, respiratory consultants, colorectal and upper gastro-intestinal surgeons as well. The unit operates from 8am to 7pm, 6 days a week, and is committed to delivering a high-quality patient-focused service. You will be expected to be part of our out-of-hours on-call rota to respond to any emergency GI bleed cases.

In return, the Trust offers excellent development and training opportunities.  As an employee you will have access to training modules, flexible working opportunities, NHS staff benefits, access to an NHS Pension and additional work perks.

If you are interested in working with us, would like further information or would like to come for an informal visit, please contact Vanessa Limco (Endoscopy Unit Manager) on 01932 726685 or email [email protected]

Main duties of the job

Our Healthcare Support Workers are at the heart of providing direct patient centred care, supporting the Clinical endoscopists, Registered Nurses and Nursing Associates as well as the wider Multi-Disciplinary Teams.

The role includes:

• Provide technical assistance during diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedure.
• Assist in taking histology / cytology sample, correct handling and labelling of each specimen pot.
• Act as patient advocate throughout their endoscopic care pathway.
• Perform bedside decontamination of endoscopes after each procedure.
• Participate in admissions, recovery and discharge of all endoscopy patients following agreed criteria as per Local SOP.
• Preserve and maintain patient’s privacy and dignity at all times.
• Assist registered staff in the observation taking and monitoring.
• Communicate to the nurse in charge changes observed in a patient’s condition, whether physical or overall health and well-being.
• Be aware of and contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and report any suspicions of abuse to nurse in charge or appropriate other (Matron, safeguarding team).
• Monitor the Endoscopy environment ensuring all clinical areas are kept clean at all times by following the correct infection control policies and procedures.
• Follow safe working practices and to take reasonable measure for the protection patients following instruction from clinical staff for the welfare of patients where appropriate.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Working as a senior healthcare support worker in Endoscopy unit will involve carrying out tasks under the support and supervision of professional staff to help implement the safe care for both inpatients and outpatients undergoing a variety of endoscopic procedures in the Endoscopy Department and any other department where endoscopic procedures are undertaken.

This will be whilst demonstrating excellent care, compassion, communication, providing dignity at all times and incorporating:

• Endoscopy technical assistance
• Undertaking and recording of Vital Signs
• Moving & Handling of patients
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Safeguarding of adults and children.