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Job overview

Eye Casualty and Laser Suite is based at Queens Medical Centre and is part of Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. It is a fast paced department we care for patients experiencing ophthalmological issues. We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic healthcare assistants to join our dynamic team to provide high quality patient care. As a HCA you will play a pivotal role in supporting the registered nurses in delivering the care and clinical skills for the patients within Eye Casualty and Laser Suite.

Bring your whole self to work for us at NUH. We love diversity and we value your difference, your unique skills, knowledge and experience. Becoming part of our team will enable you to reach your full potential while helping us to maximise performance in delivering world class healthcare to the diverse population we care for.

We welcome informal visits.

Eye Casualty is currently open from 07:00 until 22:00 hours and 7 days a week so any applicants must be able to work flexibly for those hours and on any of those days. It is a busy but very interesting and specialised area to work in.

Main duties of the job

In addition to the below summary you need to familiarize yourself with full Job Description and Person Specification documents attached to this advert.

Working for our organisation

With over 17,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.

The successful applicant will need to be enthusiastic, reliable and adaptable with good communication skills and dedicated to providing a high level of patient care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY:

Required to carry out a number of designated tasks, of which will involve direct care, in support of and under the supervision of a registered nurse.

Work as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team.

Following appropriate training and assessment, undertake clinical and non-clinical duties in support of the registered nurse.

The post holder is not required to hold statutory qualifications.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

HWB2 Under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse, carry out nursing

HWB5 procedures following verification of competency and assist with the care and treatment of patients.

This will include: assisting with meeting the comfort and hygiene needs of patients which will include washing/bathing, oral care, escorting to toilet, assisting with bed pans/commodes, making beds and dealing with dirty linen in accordance with procedures.

Assisting patients in taking medications including nebulisers under the supervision of registered staff

Assisting the registered staff with taking and recording patients’ temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure and completing patient fluid balance charts

Assisting with meeting the dietary needs of patients which will include distribution of drinks and meals and helping patients to eat and drink as required.

Core1 Make verbal reports to senior nursing staff regarding the patients in the ward as necessary, following this up with written documentation as needed.

Core 6 Ensure that patients are helped to retain their dignity and individuality.

HWB 5 Participate in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients as required.

EF3 Direct and escort patients and visitors around the clinic/ward and to other departments

Core1 Report back to registered staff all concerns about the patient’s condition

Core 5 Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe-keeping of patients' property, in accordance with Patients' Property Procedure.

Core1 Be aware of the need for confidentiality both in the written and spoken word.

Core 5 Comply with all Trust policies with particular regard to the policies and procedures carried out in the event of maintaining staff and patient safety.

Core 3 Report all accidents and untoward incidents to the nurse in charge of the area and complete an incident form in accordance with Trust policy.

Core5 Report problems with equipment and facilities to the nurse in charge

Core2 Be prepared to attend and undertake any necessary training, being aware of the need to develop oneself and to strive to increase personal knowledge.

Undertake any ‘Working in New Ways Packages’, which have been identified by the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse and are integral to the role requirements and specialty area. Under normal circumstances these must be completed in accordance with the ‘Working in New Way’s Policy and Guidelines

Directorate specific Clinical responsibilities

HWB 5 Carry out visual acuity testing using a Bailey-Lovey LogMAR chart.

HWB 5 Carry out near vision testing using vocational charts as required.

HWB 5 Carry out ‘first dressings’ on patients returning to clinic following eye surgery.

HWB 5 Demonstrate and teach patients how to carry out lid hygiene so that patients are able to do this at home.

HWB 5 Assist nursing and medical staff with surgical procedures and patient examinations as required.

HWB 5 Administer eye drops following local agreements.

Core 1 Liaise with nursing and clerical colleagues about clinic lists and patients throughout span of duty.

Housekeeping

To clean and prepare, trolleys and equipment ready for procedures.

Assist in unpacking, checking and storing supplies delivered to the area, reporting when stocks are low.

Keep clinical area safe, clean and tidy.

Prepare clinic rooms for use before start of clinics and clear away clinic rooms at the end of clinics.

Keep clinic rooms and waiting areas stocked up with documentation, including patient information leaflets and consumables.

Taking equipment to different places in the department and occasionally to theatres, taking equipment to and from sterilisation services and clinical engineering; following appropriate training, going to and from pharmacy and pharmacy stores as necessary to fetch or return medications.

Book hospital transport for patients and liaise with the Transport office over the phone and online and support patients waiting for transport including ensuring patients are safe, comfortable, and hydrated.

Work in the ophthalmic pre-assessment as required working on reception, booking patients in and recording outcomes of care on the Patient Administration System (PAS)

General

Carry out expected role without the need for constant supervision although recognising limitations and seeking direction when necessary.

Use initiative in planning daily and weekly routines.

Make a contribution to the development of patient care and setting standards.

Maintain good communication with other staff, patients and visitors including answering the telephone in a courteous and professional manner.

Be aware of need for own personal development and be prepared to attend and undertake any necessary training, being aware of the need to develop oneself and to strive to increase personal knowledge.

Assist and participate in the implementation of Essence of Care benchmarking, the productive ward initiatives

Have a clear understanding of their responsibilities relating to their duty of care

GENERAL DUTIES

In addition to the key job responsibilities detailed in this job description all employees at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust are expected to comply with the general duties detailed below:

Infection Control

To maintain a clean, safe environment, ensuring adherence to the Trust’s standards of cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.

For senior/clinical managers the following statement must also be included

The post holder is accountable for minimising the risks of infections and for the implementation of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections as outlined in the Health Act 2006. This includes receiving assurance of risk and embedding evidence based practice into daily routines of all staff.

Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults

Nottingham University Hospitals is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to behave in such a way that supports this commitment.

Information Governance

All staff have an individual responsibility for creating accurate records of their work and for making entries into and managing all NHS records effectively in line with the Health Record Keeping Policy and other Health Records and Corporate Records Management policies and procedures in order to meet the Trust’s legal, regulatory and accountability requirements.

Health and Safety

To take reasonable care to prevent injury to themselves or others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

To co-operate fully in discharging the Trust policies and procedures with regard to health and safety matters.

To immediately report to their manager any shortcomings in health and safety procedures and practice.

To report any accidents or dangerous incidents to their immediate manager and safety representative as early as possible and submit a completed accident/incident form.

To use protective clothing and equipment where provided.

Whilst the aim of the Trust is to promote a co-operative and constructive view of health and safety concerns in the organisation, all staff must be aware that a wilful or irresponsible disregard for safety matters may give rise to disciplinary proceedings.

Governance

To actively participate in governance activities to ensure that the highest standards of care and business conduct are achieved.

Health and Wellbeing

Employees are expected to take all reasonable steps to look after both their physical health and mental health. To support employees to achieve this NUH offers a wide range of health and wellbeing activities and interventions. The full programme can be viewed at on the staff intranet.

Line managers are expected to encourage and support staff to look after their health and wellbeing, including the release of staff to attend health and wellbeing activities and interventions.

General Policies Procedures and Practices

To comply with all Trust policies, procedures and practices and to be responsible for keeping up to date with any changes to these.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The post holder must be able to:

work within unpleasant clinical working conditions (for example exposure to body fluids)

concentrate in an intense and sometimes noisy environment

cope with potentially violent and threatening situations

fulfil Trust health and safety policies and procedures when performing risk associated procedures including dealing with hazardous substances