medical assistant Northampton, England
Job description
To work as an effective member of a multi disciplinary team, providing high quality care for patients under the supervision of a registered health care professional. To promote good communication that promotes the dignity, care and safety of the patients. To assist in maintaining a safe working environment and the provision of compassionate care.
Our service users come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and the health care support worker must be able to communicate effectively.
Assisting patients to meet their personal hygiene requirements
Assisting patients during meal times
Safe manual handling of patients following completion of manual handling assessments
Be proactive in prevention of pressure ulcer development
Assist patients in meeting their continence needs
recognising the Equality and Diversity of patients and acknowledging the the patient's personal beliefs and confidentiality
Maintaining a clean and tidy work environment and ward equipment.
Assess and record vital signs and escalate concerns to the nurse.
Provide clear and concise documentation as per trust guidance.
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.
Supporting Clinical & Patient Excellence
Assist in the provision of nursing care under the supervision of a registered healthcare practitioner in relation to:
Monitor patients lying and standing blood pressure on arrival to Frailty unit and collect collateral history .
Assisting patients to meet their personal hygiene requirements, i.e.: bed bath, shower and hair washing etc.
Meeting the patient’s nutritional needs including supporting patients at mealtimes, completion of fluid balance charts and food charts and reporting any concerns to the registered nurse.
Safe manual handling of patients after establishing best method, following completion of the manual handling assessment form by a registered nurse.
Be proactive in the prevention of pressure ulcer development.
Maintain safety of patients, personal clothing, and property in accordance with agreed policies related to security and confidentiality.
The collection of specimens, i.e., stool, urine, mid-stream urine, catheter specimen of urine, sputum and wound swabs.
Documenting admission details which include next of kin, social situation, and details of patient property.
Assist patients in meeting their continence needs, i.e.: taking them to the toilet, providing a commode, monitoring urine and bowel movements. Report any abnormalities/concerns to a registered nurse.
Recognising the Equality and Diversity of patients, clients, relatives and multi- disciplinary groups by supporting non-discriminatory practice & acknowledging the patient’s personal beliefs and identity.
Maintaining a clean and tidy environment, including bed areas, store cupboards, sluice, treatment room and equipment used for procedures.
Undertaking the cleaning of ward equipment, according to policy and procedure.
Make effective use of the infection control policy.
Take and record vital signs as requested, i.e., temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure, oxygen saturation and Early Warning Score (EWS) on observation charts and Vitalpac reporting any abnormalities/concerns to the registered healthcare practitioner.
Undertaking the cleaning of bed areas, suction, oxygen, lockers and prepare for admission, obtaining any essential equipment.
Report any concerns/incidents relating to patient or environment health and safety to a registered nurse/healthcare practitioner.
Provide clear and concise verbal communication to patients, clients and multidisciplinary teams.
Provide clear and concise written documentation as per Trust guidance.
Communication:
Recognise and maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients/clients and their records
Ensure clarity in communicating with patients/clients and their relatives as well as other team members and in answering questions within the sphere of one’s own knowledge. Report changes in patients’ condition to the registered nurse/midwife on duty and participate in shift hand over to ensure effective continuity of care.
Contribute to the on-going support of patients/clients and others significant to them, enabling patients/clients to maintain their interests, identity and emotional well-being.
Welcome patients/clients, their families and other visitors to the ward/department. Introduce them to the facilities and services provided.
Answer the telephone in a clear, friendly, helpful and professional manner. Take any messages accurately and refer to a registered nurse/midwife as necessary.
Demonstrate a caring approach to patients/clients, their families and visitors and to have good verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Leadership
Lead by example with drive and enthusiasm, responding appropriately to the needs of patients, families, and carers.
Set high standards of care for the ward, including ward cleanliness, nutrition etc., ensuring these are maintained so that the patients experience is excellent.
Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and/or staff wellbeing.
People/Management Excellence
Have the ability and knowledge to competently deal with an emergency situation.
Manage his/her time effectively and perform allocated tasks within a reasonable time frame, knowing when to seek support, assistance and advice from other team members.
Undertake general clerical duties that may be associated with the smooth running of the ward/department/area. This will include data entry following training.
Assist in the maintenance of ward/department equipment and stock levels, e.g., equipment, linen, catering supplies, HSDU, etc.
Professional Responsibilities
At all times to adhere to statutory, mandatory, Trust guidance and the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England (2013). Adopted and adapted for use at NGH January 2014.
Maintain own statutory, mandatory training, and divisional/directorate specific essential training.
Complete the Trust’s Healthcare Support Worker training programme.
Complete the Care Certificate within the timeframe of four months from commencement in post.
Where required, complete the Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Apprenticeship and undertake the End Point Assessment within 15 months of start date in post or timescale as agreed for part-time HCAs
Be self-motivated and seek ways to flexibly extend own knowledge skills To have an awareness of nursing policies and procedures
Identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.
Understand own limitations and know where to find advice and assistance.
Act as a role model for new starters in the area.
Quality Assurance and Monitoring
Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area.
Identify and report any untoward incident/accident, problem and risk as soon as possible to the nurse/midwife in charge.
Corporate Responsibilities
Act as a role model in customer service towards visitors to the hospital.
Facilitate any measures to help achieve directorate/divisional and Trust targets and agendas.
Share best practice through meetings and forums.
