Healthcare Support Worker

Job overview

Job Overview

The post holder will work as part of the MDT ensuring the delivery of excellent clinical care within the HOP environment, taking a lead role in the assessment and care of patients demonstrating challenging behaviours.

The post holder will take a lead role in ensuring the completion of ‘This is Me’ documents and appropriate risk assessments, to gain vital collateral information regarding this group of patients.

The post holder, in conjunction with the Safeguarding and MH Leads within the ISU, form part of an education team, delivering staff educational programmes to improve knowledge and skills across the HOP clinical areas.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

The Specialised HCA will work within the sphere of the nursing team to provide a high quality of nursing care across the full spectrum of nursing, in particular those patients displaying challenging behaviours. Working under the leadership of the Registered Nurse.

To monitor Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation Of Liberty and Safeguarding compliance on the ward and escalate it to the senior nurse

The postholder will work as part of the team, delivering health and social care that focuses on the holistic needs of the service users

They will carry out specific clinical tasks and responsibilities as delegated by registered practitioners

The post holder will be part of an MDT, working with and supporting all members of that team both within and external to the directorate

Supervision and teaching of junior staff will be part of the role

Key objectives and responsibilities will be identified and agreed at interview and yearly appraisal

These additional responsibilities may change on an annual basis and work towards increasing the clinical competencies of the individual

Working for our organisation

Why Work With Us

Cheetham Hill ward is a 28 bed care of the older person ward with a dementia specialism. We provide care and assessment for patients in the acute medical conditions.

Cheetham Hill Ward is a welcoming and busy environment with a well established multidisciplinary team approach. We are committed to providing timely, high quality, patient-centred care.

You will work as part of the developing and dynamic team of nurses and the wider MDT, to improve the patient experience and progress the care of a wide range of patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Interview patients and carers as part of the assessment process
• Communicate clinical information and other important aspects regarding patient centred care to colleagues, senior therapy and nursing staff
• Ensure completion of specific documentation – ‘This is Me’ and Risk Assessments
• Under the direction of the senior team, communicate information to patients, carers and visitors in an empathetic and tactful manner
• Effectively communicate with people who have communication difficulties, partial hearing, mental illness or who are partially sighted
• Foster an interdisciplinary approach to practice within the clinical environments
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and case conferences
• Skills relevant to HOP, developed through clinical practice and training
• Basic nursing care duties alongside colleagues, patient and non-patient manual handling and dealing with potentially volatile situations
• Basic resuscitation skills
• Basic IT skills
• Demonstrate skills and support less experienced staff, new staff, bank, agency and students as a feature of daily work routine
• Provide education and training to patients, carers and colleagues
• Complete routine department and patient documentation in line with agreed local policies
• Take a lead role in the completion and development of specialised risk assessments
• Assist in maintaining patient and carer information (notice boards and information leaflets)
• In conjunction with colleagues, be able to understand patient’s condition; using knowledge of anatomy, physiology, normal function, basic assessments and test results
• Able to recognise the impact of cognitive and perceptual problems on patient’s performance
• Able to recognise the need and importance for appropriate risk assessments for patients requiring enhanced observation
• Able to take appropriate action which may avoid foreseeable harm to patients, carers, colleagues and visitors
• To use observational information and patient knowledge to inform intervention plans
• Can adapt to changes in working pattern and environment on a day or weekly basis
• Can plan and organise assigned tasks, when carrying out duties in relation to effective patient care and assessment
• Plan and carry out group activities both with colleagues and independently, in accordance with the treatment plans (e.g. exercise activities, meaningful occupation…)
• Participate in planning care, following a patient centred approach
• Undertake assigned care and assessment to achieve stated objectives. This includes personal care, physical exercise, functional practice and tasks to improve cognition and communication
• Prioritise workload to facilitate patient’s recovery whilst respecting patients’ dignity and privacy
• Undertake and record clinical observation, routine tests, and outcome measures
• Advises and assists patients and others in the safe use of available support services
• Knowledge of local and Trusts policies and procedures
• Knowledge of using appropriate resources in a cost-effective manner
• Ordering and maintaining unit stock levels as directed by a budget holding member of staff
• Participate in clinical audit, research and quality monitoring as required
• Using initiative to act on changes in patient circumstances under the guidance of registered staff
• Recognise the need to seek guidance when necessary
• Carry out duties both with and without direct supervision
• Working in potentially volatile situations
• Standing, walking, sitting and climbing stairs
• Working in awkward positions
• Manual handling of patients and loads and use of mechanical aids
• Frequent light physical effort
• Several periods of moderate physical effort during every shift
• Able to follow routine of the workplace whilst being able to adapt to unpredictable events in clinical practice
• Forming and managing therapeutic relationships with patients– (in particular those patients with cognitive / perceptual / behavioural difficulties)
• Form and manage therapeutic relationships with families and carers
• Concentration on documenting care and observations, multitasking and occasional interruptions

Person specification

Qualification and Training

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification/experience

• Care certificate
• English & Mathematics at GSCE grade A-C (9-4) or level 2 functional skills

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous experience in a care environment or able to demonstrate a caring nature/ life experience
• Understands the need for strict confidentiality

• Working knowledge of complex care needs of some individuals/families including Safeguarding Children & Adults, Domestic Abuse and Mental Health

Specific Skills

• Basic computer/keyboard skills
• Fine motor skills – for venepuncture, phlebotomy and other clinical tasks
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to prioritise and organise work
• Able to work under instruction, under pressure and as part of a team
• Record keeping competency in handwritten and electronic records
• Able to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, and to adapt communication style to circumstances
• Able to manage stress in themselves and others
• Able to offer support at times of emotional distress
• Willingness to undertake new skills and training
• Able to work as a team member or independently
• Ability to adapt behaviour to changing and challenging situations
• To be flexible, adaptable, reliable and punctual
• The post holder must demonstrate a positive commitment to uphold diversity and equality policies approved by the Trust

• Healthcare competencies appropriate to area of work

You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

• We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please apply promptly
• Please read the job description and tailor your application to reflect the role
• Correspondence will be via Trac, text and email. Please check your email and Trac account regularly.
• Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band
• If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion
• It is your responsibility to assist us in the timely receipt of appropriate references

If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.