Healthcare Assistant - Intensive Care
Job overview
The Critical Care department is undergoing continuous development and currently provides a service caring for patients in Intensive Care and High Dependency Care.
The Intensive Care Unit has an exciting opportunity for a Band 2 Healthcare Assistant, full time to provide support for qualified nurses throughout the Department. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to rotate through all the areas within the department gaining experience in caring for patients at level 1, 2 and 3.
Previous experience, along with Care Certificate would be an advantage but is not essential as local induction and training is available.
Suitable candidates will ideally have:
- Excellent observational skills
- Effective communication skills
- Desire to develop new skills and knowledge
- Willingness to undertake formal qualifications
Main duties of the job
To assist in the provision of high quality care to patients and their families under the direction and supervision of the Multi-disciplinary Team.
Demonstrate a range of nursing skills to meet the needs of patients whilst promoting dignity, privacy and respect. To comply with the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers. To provide a range of healthcare and non-nursing duties, ensuring an efficient and effective service to the ward/department at all times
Working for our organisation
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career.Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.
We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh.We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.
We have received an overall Good rating from the CQC with Medical care (including older peoples care), End of Life Care and Maternity services being deemed Outstanding by the CQC.
Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years.There has never been a better time to join us.
Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HsiGn9joTQ
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- Assist the registered nurse in the assessment, planning and evaluation of nursing care.
- To perform basic care under the direction of a registered nurse. Assist patients with daily personal hygiene, bathing/showering, eating and drinking etc. Observe and care for pressure areas, hair, nails and oral hygiene as required reporting back to nurse in charge any changes in the patient’s condition.
- Demonstrate an understanding of positive health, and promote positive health. Assist all patients who are able, towards independence and activity under the direction of the nurse in charge.
- To ensure continuity of nursing care, the Health Care Assistant must update the named nurse (team leader) of any tasks, procedures and advice given to the patient and his/her family.
- Ensure that any entries in the nursing care plans are countersigned by a registered nurse.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Support the registered nursing staff in the clerical, administrative and receptionist duties on the ward.
- To liaise with other departments to organise investigations by medical staff
- Develop and utilise good communication skills; and receive and pass on telephone messages.
- Assist the registered nurse in the more technical aspects of nursing care e.g. dressings, observations, following a period of training and when deemed competent to do so by the Ward Sister.
- Ensure that patients/clients belongings and valuables are kept safely, adhering to local procedures.
- To support the patient and the carer by allowing him/her to express anxiety and stress during times of crisis e.g. bereavement.
- To be able to administer and seek advice on the appropriate first aid measures in an emergency.
- Ensure that patient/client privacy is maintained and that dignity and freedom of choice is enhanced.
- Correctly use aids and equipment supplied for patients. Report needs and obvious defects of this equipment to the nurse in charge. The Health Care Assistant is not responsible for the initial ordering of aids and equipment nor for their mechanical maintenance.
- In the interests of health and safety, the Health Care Assistant should only undertake manual handing of patients after having received adequate training and instruction.
- To attend in-service training, other training programmes and meetings, as required.
- Participate in the induction of new Health Care Assistants (Nursing).
- To work within the current policies issued by the Trust reporting any sickness and accidents to the nurse in charge and Senior Nurse.
- Liaise with nursing colleagues and other professionals as appropriate.
- To be aware of and comply with the Data Protection Act 1984.
- To be required to use any computer system purchased by the Trust providing appropriate training has been given.
- To participate in any other duties that you may be asked to undertake by senior nursing staff.
Please refer to the full Job Description
Person specification
Qualifications
Desirable criteria- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent work experience
Knowledge and Experience
Desirable criteria- Previous experience in patient contact position
- Knowledge of acute hospital setting
Skills and Capabilities
Essential criteria- Numerate and literate
- Good communication skills
- Excellent telephone skills
- Computer skills