Healthcare Assistant, discharge Lounge Northampton, England
Job description
The new Discharge Lounge at Northampton General Hospital will provide a safe and comfortable environment for our patients to wait for their discharge medication and/or transport home. To achieve this staff must co-ordinate the patients’ discharge arrangements in accordance with the NGH Discharge Policy.
We are looking for enthusiastic healthcare assistants to support and care for our patients whilst in the department, thus helping to ensure patient flow throughout the hospital. Early bird discharges identified from the previous day will be transferred to the lounge upon opening, with additional patients transferred to the lounge throughout the day upon confirmation of their discharge. This will enable beds to be freed up earlier in the day, reducing the amount of time patients will have to wait before being admitted to a bed.
The post holder will partake in the delivery of high quality care, ensuring that patients hygiene and nutritional needs are met during their time in the department. Good communication skills are required along with the ability to work both as part of a multidisciplinary team and on their own initiative. The successful candidate will need to be able to work flexibly as required by the service.
Patient care:
Ensure you receive a handover for each patient so that you understand their care needs during their time in the department
Maintain high standards of quality care
To be able to use computer systems as required
Maintain high standards of documentation
Have excellent communication skills, and be able to communicate with both colleagues and members of the public
Maintain patients' dignity and privacy at all times
Ensure that patients nutritional and hydration needs are met
Assist patients with hygiene needs when required
Ensure that all patients who come to the Discharge Lounge understand why they have been moved there, and what to expect during their time in the department
Escalate any delays or concerns immediately to reduce the risk of failed discharges
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Patient care:
Ensure you receive a handover for each patient so that you understand their care needs during their time in the department
Maintain high standards of quality care
To be able to use computer systems as required
Maintain high standards of documentation
Have excellent communication skills, and be able to communicate with both colleagues and members of the publicMaintain patients' dignity and privacy at all times
Ensure that patients nutritional and hydration needs are met
Assist patients with hygiene needs when required
Ensure that all patients who come to the Discharge Lounge understand why they have been moved there, and what to expect during their time in the department
Escalate any delays or concerns immediately to reduce the risk of failed discharges
Policy/service development implementation:
Ensure care is given in line with Trust polices
Adhere to current Infection Prevention protocols for the clinical area
Actively contribute to an effective learning environment for all
Promptly report any incidents/accidents to allow for review and any necessary recommendations
Ensure patients and relatives are able to leave honest feedback of the service
Financial & physical resources:
Recognise a personal responsibility to look after all equipment required to perform whilst at work
Ensure patient valuables are stored correctly, and that patients understand the risks of having valuables with them in hospital
Human resources:
Demonstrate standards of care expected to others at all times
Undertake all mandatory training
To participate in annual appraisals and objective setting
Be aware of own limitations and learning needs
Research & development:
Demonstrate awareness of the application of research data within clinical areas
Participate in research programmes/trials if applicable to area
Freedom to act:
Works within the boundaries of Trust policies and procedures
Takes responsibility for own actions and decisions
Maintain confidentiality at all times
