Job description
We are looking for highly motivated individuals to join our critical care team as band 2 Critical Care support Workers!
You will work under the supervision and guidance of registered nurses, & are an integral part of the critical care team, contributing to the overall well-being and recovery of critically ill patients.
These areas are where patients with life-threatening conditions and severe illnesses receive specialised medical treatment & monitoring, the role of a support worker is crucial in providing essential assistance and support to patients.
This includes assisting in the delivery of direct patient care and patient rehabilitation activities.
The role also entails supporting the units to run safely and effectively. This includes functional tasks such as stock replenishment, retrieving & cleaning equipment, & basic medicines management, as well as general housekeeping tasks.
This is a physically and mentally demanding role in a fast paced environment, & there is excellent scope for ongoing learning opportunities
Having experience in an acute healthcare / ICU setting is useful, but not essential, as training will be provided.
Please note that these positions require the successful applicants to work a variety of day and night shifts, including weekends.
As a CCSW, you will assist the nursing team to support the delivery of high quality care to our patients.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Patient care: Support workers help with the basic care needs of patients, including feeding, bathing, turning, and repositioning. They ensure the patients are comfortable and assist with activities of daily living.
- Equipment: Involved in preparing & maintaining various medical devices and equipment, such as ventilators, cardiac monitors, infusion pumps, and other critical care machines in order to facilitate their use.
- Mobilisation and rehabilitation: Support workers assist in the early mobilisation and rehabilitation of patients, encouraging physical activity, and helping with exercises as directed.
- Communication: Support workers are part of the vital link between patients, families, and the healthcare team. You will need to offer emotional support to patients & their loved ones, & relay important information to the nursing and medical staff.
- Assisting with procedures: In some cases, support workers may assist nurses and doctors during medical procedures, helping to set up equipment, prepare patients, and provide immediate support as required.
- Safety and monitoring: Help to maintain a safe environment for patients, ensuring that any potential hazards are identified and addressed promptly.
- Teamwork: Collaborate closely with nurses, doctors, & other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated and efficient patient care.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order tomeet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible
Clinical Practice
You will be able to perform the following:
- To assist patients with activities of daily living whilst encouraging independence, as appropriate
- To monitor and record patient’s clinical observations, as requested by a Registered Nurse
- To assist with patient nutritional needs – eating, drinking, menu selection, meal delivery and special diets according to the individual patient’s needs
- To assist in the maintenance of up to date, comprehensive and accurate records in accordance with current legal requirements
- To assist in the admission and discharge of patients including any necessary risk assessments
- To escort patients and families to other departments within the hospital as required
- After appropriate training, to assist in the collection of specimens including
- To participate in maintaining standards of hygiene, cleanliness and infection control, reporting problems as appropriate
- To ensure that equipment is clean at all times, stored safely when not in use and report faults as appropriate
- To assist in setting up and preparing patient areas appropriately to the clinical area
- To ensure that stock levels of linen, sterile supplies and stationery are maintained at all times
- To assist in the maintenance and safekeeping of patients property in line with Trust policy
- To assist ward staff with general collection/delivery of items necessary to ensure effective operational management of ward/department
- To assist in performing the last offices as requested
- To ensure that all patients and relatives are welcomed and orientated to the ward environment
- To assist with the care of distressed or bereaved relatives
- To assist with clerical and ward administrative duties, including data management, photocopying, transporting of equipment/data/ paperwork to other departments
- To provide clear and effective information and communication, both verbally and in writing. Promptly referring enquiries to the relevant person
- To maintain confidentiality at all times, in and out of the hospital environment
- To demonstrate an awareness of the different cultural, ethnic and religious needs
- To adhere to, and work within the National Code of Conduct for clinical support workers at King’s College Hospital
- To be able to identify with support your own development needs, completing a competency document and learning objectives within a specified time frame and as agreed by manager
- To ensure own attendance at mandatory study days and training (BLS, manual handling ) as required by ward/departmental manager
- To update skills and knowledge as required by the Trust
- To actively participate in annual individual performance review
- To manage an agreed workload with supervision and support from colleagues and senior staff
- To work within and support the multidisciplinary team, contributing ideas toward future developments
- To maintain effective communication and professional relationships with all areas within the care group and associated clinical areas within the Trust
- To participate in reflection and or clinical supervision sessions as provided
- To observe personal and collective responsibility for resource management
- To observe a general duty of care for the health, safety and wellbeing of self, work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital
- To be responsible with others for any specific risk management associated with the post, reporting and taking appropriate actions as necessary