Healthcare Assistant Manchester, England
Job description
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our inspiring Oncology Critical care team. We are an 8 bedded combined level 2 and 3 unit that supports both medical, surgical and Hematology patients. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with good communication skills, who is keen to help to deliver a high standard of care to patients and their carers. If you enjoy a challenge and can be flexible with your working pattern and approach then we would like to hear from you.
Critical care can be a fast paced dynamic environment that requires a diverse multi skilled workforce that is able to adapt quickly to the ever changing needs of critical care patients. Nursing ratios are 1:1 or 1:2.
The role requires clinical skills including phlebotomy, ECGs, basic wound care and more. Basic Computer skills are required. We have a critical care practice based educator who can support individual learning and development and you would be part of a team that loves to learn, develop and teach.
Applicants should preferably have experience at band 3 but experienced band 2 Healthcare Assistants will be considered if you have prior experience within an acute care setting. Applicants need to poses an apprenticeship Level 2 in Health or NVQ 2 in Health and Social Care.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical:
1. Ensure patient’s nutritional needs are met through assisting in the preparation of patients prior to meals and beverages, give help and assistance in feeding/drinking as necessary. Record intake on Metavision food charts where in place. Where patients are being artificially fed clarify with Nurse caring for individual Patients that Individual Nutritional risk assessment has been completed and any necessary dietician referral made.
2. Assist Nursing staff to aid patients to utilise the use of appropriate toilet facilities including catheter care. Measure and record body waste/fluid balance accurately on Metavision. Commence/ continue Trust Fluid Balance charts for Patients expected for discharge
3. Assist patients in maintaining their personal hygiene, grooming and dressing needs with specific concern for their religious, cultural and personal preference, ensuring privacy and dignity at all time
4. Assist patients in their mobility requirements with supervision from the Nursing team, help move and position appropriately to maximise their physical comfort
5. Assist in the care of patients pressure areas and prevention of pressure damage, ensure all air mattress pumps are plugged in and turned on when in use. Daily measurement/ remeasurement of ALL patients Ted stockings sizing, recorded on Metavision care tab and that the nurse caring for the patient is informed once completed. Assist and prompt Medical device repositioning 2 hourly in line with Trust Policy and record this on Metavision Nursing care Tab
6. Assist in the correct procedure of duties relating to last offices for deceased persons. Ensure that all religious and cultural wishes, obligations are adhered with
7. When necessary initiate and assist with basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation procedure
8. Assist Nursing team with the preparation and transfer of patients from one care area to another, i.e. between wards and departments
9. Assist Patients with oral hygiene procedures (Non – Ventilated) as per trust protocol
10. Recognise and communicate concerns of the deteriating patient, recognition of monitor alarms and the need to respond and report to the Nursing team.
11. Carry out Blood sugar Levels as requested by Nursing team, inform nurse of result and record on Metavision Nursing Care Tab.
12. Record patient’s vital signs as directed, reporting findings to the Registered nursing team on duty, or in their absence to a Medic – Temperature, Blood Pressure, Respiration and Pulse, oxygen saturations, modified early warning scores and Blood sugar.
13. Perform and record height & weight, urine testing - Midstream Specimen, 24Hr urine collection – as per Trust policy, reporting results to a Registered Nurse.
14. Provide a clinical phlebotomy service demonstrating expertise according to Phlebotomy guidelines and ensure that the samples and specimens are labelled correctly and forwarded to Path. Perform venous cannulation
15. Analysis of Arterial blood gas samples as required by the Nursing team
16. Perform electrocardiograms (ECG) in line with Trust policy and reporting to the Registered Nurse and/or medical staff once completed
17. Regonistion of role and responsabities within emergency clinical situations.
1. Covid and MRSA swobing as required per latest Trust policy.
Clinical Support:
1. Under the delegation of the Registered Nurse undertake care delivery, record the patient interventions carried out utilising the patients nursing care tab on Metavision.
2. Assist the Registered Nurse in the process of undertaking clinical risk assessments e.g. recording height and weight, updating the nurse on any changes to a patients condition/circumstances.
3. Appropriately record and monitor dietary intake of patients, informing relevant staff of progress and/or any difficulties relating to dietary/fluid intake.
4. Assist in providing conditions to meet the patient’s need for rest and sleep.
5. Assist Nursing/Physio team to optimise patients mobility, utilising equipment as directed by the multi professional team.
6. Prepare individual patients and the environment to ensure effective movement and/or handling procedure.
7. Chaperone the patient as required ensuring appropriate support.
8. Actively support and assist in alleviating distress and anxiety of patients or carers, consistent with their personal beliefs and preferences.
9. Receive and record items of property for admission Patients. If medication present give to Nurse in charge.
1. Prepare trolleys for specific clinical procedures in line with trust policy utilising asceptic non touch technique practices
Environment Support:
1. Be responsible for self and others through identifying risks and undertaking work activities in a safe manner
2. Assist in the maintenance and cleaning of Bed spaces/Side rooms- carry out and record daily checks of all bed side monitoring leads replacing and reporting any concerns. Movement of full/ used linen skips and sharps bins.
3. Assist in the cleaning and maintenance of the Arterial blood gas machine including changing of solution pack and sensor cassette
4. Daily checks that all equipment stored is clean, plugged in and appears in good working order.
5. Complete and record daily cleaning of commodes.
6. Ensure daily cleaning solution is prepped and stored correctly in the sluice.
7. Complete and record daily glucometer checks and report any concerns to the Nurse in charge.
8. Partake in daily Meg audits and check data insights reporting any requirements to the Nurse in charge.
9. Maintain cleanliness in the work environment in line with Trust health and safety policies.
Clinical Support:
1. Welcome and orientate patients, visitors and others to the ward/department and ensure that all communications are effective
2. Relative leasion regarding use of relative facilities, car parking and the units contact details
3. Maintain a daily log of relatives using facilities and staying overnight
4. Proactively help patients and carers to take an active role in care delivery
Professional:
1. May be required to demonstrate and assist more junior staff to gain clinical experience, skills and knowledge.
2. Demonstrate respect for the individual patient, ensuring religious, cultural and social needs are considered at all times and acknowledge their individual rights. In all situations ensure consideration is made to the patients cultural background
3. Recognise, report and document abusive behaviour to an appropriate member of staff
4. Contribute to effective team working, by being fully involved, committed and participative to achieving full potentia
5. Develop personal awareness of others perceptions, acknowledging and changing behaviour in response to any constructive feedback
6. Adhere to Trust Uniform Policy at all times
7. Undertake all training required to perform duties effectively to the requirements of the post
8. Attend all Mandatory training courses
9. Maintain own professional portfolio in accordance with personal development plans
Administration:
1. Assist in preparing patients notes, relevant charts, nursing documentation and identity bracelets on admission and daily thereafter.
2. Undertake clerical duties as directed by the Registered Nurse in relation to all verbal and written communications, ensuring messages and communications are passed to other team members, storage and retrieval of such information
Environment Support:
1. Prepare and maintain environments for clinical procedures
2. Contribute in the supply and maintenance of materials and equipment to ensure the efficient running of the unit
3. Assist with the checking and recording of deliveries to the clinical areas against original orders. Support with stock rotation to minimise the risk of equipment becoming out of date
4. Assist in the transfer of materials and equipment as requested, including the maintenance of equipment as appropriate
5. Contribute to the general tidiness and cleanliness of the clinical environment including the correct disposal of waste
