Healthcare Assistant- Acute Medical Unit Progression Scheme Swindon, Wiltshire, South West England
Job description
Healthcare Support Worker - Progression Scheme We are looking for a Healthcare Assistant to join the Acute Medical Unit (AMU), which is divided into 3 areas- Linnet AMU, Shalbourne Medical Admissions and Short-Stay Unit and the Medically Expected Unit.
We receive patients from the Emergency Department and GP referrals direct to the unit. We are a busy assessment unit assisting with the triage and assessment of acute medical admissions. This is a busy environment and we strive to ensure our patients are comfortable, well informed and receive great care.
This role is offered on a progression scheme where you will undertake the Care Certificate which approximately take 6 months to complete where your pay band will increase.
Great Western Hospitals are seeking motivated and dynamic candidates to join our ambitious organisation, who are committed to providing consistently high quality services to our patients. Working for us will provide you with the opportunity to be part of an experienced team, working in a busy environment enabling you to further develop your skills and experience so you can provide our patients with the high quality care that we know you strive to deliver.
You will be responsible for delivering individual patient care and will be expected to support the team leaders and the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse. You will need to be highly motivated and enthusiastic, to help improve both the patient experience and the nursing care. You will be working in an environment that will be a challenge to your organisational skills and one that will enhance your knowledge of various specialties.
Applicants will have a professional, friendly manner, be able to work well under pressure with a flexible approach to work. They should be able to use their own judgment to resolve issues and have a tactful, sensitive approach to dealing with occasionally difficult situations. We will provide a supportive learning environment and encourage you with your personal and professional development.
Our STAR values are at the heart of everything we do. You can expect to see them in the way we act and the way we treat each other. Our values make us who we are.
Service - We will put our patients first
Teamwork - We will work together
Ambition - We will aspire to provide the best service
Respect - We will act with integrity
1. Will have the knowledge and skills to provide the fundamental care needs for individual patients under the direction and supervision of the registered practitioner, the following can be undertaken in the band 2 training period, following the GWH standards of care. These duties will be repetitive, routine and familiar, following the patient care plan and consent gained from the patient which must include;
- Caring and communication with kindness and compassion
- Personal Care including catheter care
- Nutrition and Hydration support
- Pressure Area Care
- Collect specimens (routine bodily fluids only)
- Moving and handling
- Documentation including food & fluid charts and intentional rounding
- Environmental maintenance
- Performing care in line with risk assessments and care plans
- Escort to other departments (except theatre)
- Instigate Emergency procedure
- Completion of accident / incident forms
- Promote person centred values and provide support for patients wellbeing and fulfilment
Only once the training period has been achieved and all of the essential requirements in the training and education section of the person specification have all been met to the required standard a band 2 can advance to: -
3. Have a broad skill base related to the role and under the delegation and supervision of the registered practitioner can provide additional skills and tasks with patient consent from the list of;
- Observations (Blood pressure, Pulse, Temperature, Respirations and SOS)
- Basic ANTT (Removal of urethral catheter/cannula )
- Recording an ECG which should immediately be given to a register practitioner
- Cannula/Catheter removal (only once basic ANTT achieved)
- Application of topical creams in accordance with patient care plan and relevant medicine management policies
- Escort to different departments or arranged appointments (excluding patients with IV’s or had a pre med to theatre)
- Advanced ANTT following basic ANTT (grade 1-2 wounds and only wounds that have been assessed by a registered practitioner, a care plan has been written and the registered practitioner has seen the wound on each dressing change in the acute environment and every 3rd change in the community)
- Blood Glucose Monitoring (for medically stable patients only)
- Basic Stoma Care (long term, existing stomas unless level 3 stoma care award achieved)
5. Will encourage active patient participation working with patients, relatives and colleagues to meet patient goals and promote independence.
6. Be able to provide care reflective of stage of treatment including end of life care.
7. Know what is expected in an emergency situation and be able to instigate emergency procedures.
8. Will ensure that the work environment is clean and in accordance with infection and prevention controls
9. Keeps documentation up to date and maintains confidentiality at all times.
10. Know what is expected within their job role and does not exceed any set boundaries in the delivery of care and exchange of information.
11. Has awareness of what is normal for each individual patient’s wellbeing and immediately reports and concerns or changes which is outside of the normal limits to the registered practitioner.
12. Will be able to recognise patients response to care and will recognise the fundamental care needs of patients.
13. Will work on their own initiative concerning their own workload within their role remit which will consist of delegated tasks.
14. Will understand and be able to carry out reflective practice.
15. Will work with student nurses and support new recruits into band 2 role once experienced.
16. Will communicate routine information with patients, relatives and colleagues in an inclusive way, ensuring they listen, understand and handle information sensitively.
17. Will recognise risk in relation to care provision. Can interpret risk assessments and provide care in line with care plan.
18. Will show awareness of patient advocacy and an awareness of wider patient issues.
19. Competent in completing incident forms and reporting and accidents / incidents / near misses to the registered practitioner.
20. Participate in regular one to one meetings and yearly appraisals.
