Health Care Support Worker - Elective Surgery (Band 2)

At all times treat patients, service users, families, visitors and colleagues with dignity and respect to deliver compassionate care, exercising discretion and behaving in a manner consistent with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust Right Care Values.

To maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work and work within the Healthcare Support Worker Code of Conduct.

Work in a collaborative and co-operative manner with other members of the care team to meet the holistic needs of patients and carers.

To establish and maintain effective communication and relationships with the multi-disciplinary team, respecting the equality and diversity of each and every person he/she/they comes into contact within the course of his/her/their business.

Uphold the privacy and dignity of patients at all times

Work in line with Trust policies and procedures and within scope of competence, undertaking mandatory training and essential skills training as identified for the role.

Contribute to the development of the clinical area, through contribution of new ideas to improve patient care/experience and by escalating concerns appropriately.

Under the direction of the Registered Healthcare Professional, provide good quality personalised care in accordance with agreed local and national standards using a wide range of skills.

Achieve and maintain core and departmental specific competencies as a HCSW as agreed with manager.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities Assist with the service of meals and support patients who may needassistance with eating and drinking in line with their plan of care. Assist with the safe moving, handling and mobilisation of patientsensuring that care plans are followed to minimise risk. Communicate effectively with kindness, warmth and compassionrecognising when there are barriers to communication wheresupport may be required. Act as a patient and staff advocate, escalating concerns andchallenging poor behaviour or practice appropriately. Maintain accurate records of care within area of responsibility. Observe and report any changes in a patients condition to theNurse in Charge. Involve patients and carers/relatives in delivery of care. Provide reassurance and support to patients, carers/family. Support the maintenance and cleanliness of the clinical environmentby attending to general tidiness of the area including unpacking andstorage of stock deliveries. Report any estates issues appropriately. Support clinical teams to fulfil cleaning responsibilities as identifiedin the National Cleaning Standards framework. Assist and contribute to the movement and treatment of patients toachieve physical comfort and minimise the adverse effects ofpressure according to the plan of care. Contribute to minimising the effects of disruptive abusive behaviourand the protection of individuals from abuse. To answer the telephone and relay messages appropriately. In the absence of administrative support, support administrativefunctions as directed by the nurse in charge. Develop own skills and knowledge and contribute to thedevelopment of others. Once experienced assist with the induction of new Health CareSupport Workers. Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergencysituations. Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources and contributeideas to cost improvement programmes. Report any incidents, concerns, complaints or accidents to theNurse in Charge completing adverse incident forms as required. Attend and participate in team/ward/department meetings. Support the psychological and emotional wellbeing of patients,carers and families

Clinical Duties Must be able to undertake other tasks appropriate to the clinicalenvironment with necessary training and as directed by the WardManager or Department Lead: Recording of patient information e.g., completion of fluid balanceand food charts, stool charts, and recording on physiologicalobservation charts (vital signs) Support the Registered Nurse in the delivery of end-of-life care andcare of the deceased Attend training in the use of equipment and devices appropriate torole and reports faulty equipment promptly Record all care provided in the Trust standard format Beds made & changed in a timely manner to keep patients cleanand comfortable and bed areas correctly prepared for newadmissions Ward equipment cleaned and labelled e.g. commodes, medicaldevices Participate in regular patient checks known as Intentional rounding.Ensuring that patient comfort is maintained, skin checks areundertaken and recognising, reporting and recording changes tocondition of skin Order equipment as directed by the registered nurse usingappropriate system eg: Use of E-trace for ordering appropriatemattress Completion of property checklists and disclaimers To undertake physiological observations recording blood pressure,pulse, temperature, respirations and oxygen saturations. Calculation of National Early Warning Score (NEWS) score,reporting any abnormalities to the Nurse in Charge. Empty drainage bags such as catheter bags, stoma bags usingappropriate infection prevention and control precautions Test patient blood glucose levels from capillary samples recordingresults and escalating when required To collect specimens of urine, sputum or faeces as requested andaccording to ward/ department procedures To assist patients in completing ward menus To accompany patients to other departments as deemedappropriate by the nurse in charge in line with Trust transfer policy Remove cannulas and apply dressings as directed by the nurse incharge Provide patients with appropriate activities and stimulation topromote wellbeing and recovery in particular when providingenhanced care. Participate in audit activities at the request of the Ward manager /Department lead Act as a chaperone to support privacy and dignity of patients duringintimate cares and examinations

We are delighted to offer a wide range of benefits to employees including:

We understand that it's down to the hard work, effort and dedication of our staff that makes a difference for our patients. Our people really do make our Airedale experience - we take pride in fostering a friendly, effective and caring work environment. Our values are part of our DNA, which are:

Qualifications

Essential: - Possess or be willing to work towards the care certificate; - Be able to demonstrate basic literacy and numeracy skills required for the post

Desirable: - Level 2 diploma in Health and Social Care; - Functional skills level 1 numeracy

Experience

Essential: - No previous experience required

Desirable: - Experience of working in a formal care setting or as an informal carer; - Previous experience of dealing with the public

Qualities & Values

Desirable: - Commitment to personal development