Senior Health Care Support Worker (Band 3)

Be part of our future landscape

At Airedale, we are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We actively encourage applications irrespective of people’s age, lived experience of living with a disability or long-term conditions, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.

Increasing our diversity and supporting our organisation to be more inclusive is a key priority here at Airedale and our teams are at the centre of how we work towards this.

We appreciate all people may have diverse and individual needs and we pride ourselves on supporting all people to thrive and flourish at work. We have frameworks in place that support reasonable adjustments and flexible working for colleagues throughout their working lives which starts at recruitment.

Not just our staff, but our volunteers, patients, visitors, and wider population who make up the Airedale family. This is a Trust that sits at the heart of our community, and our communities are very proud of their Trust.

• To provide care activities under the direction of a registered nurse or registered medical practitioner.
• To participate in the provision of needs and the implementation of programmes of care seeking advice appropriately, undertaking the agreed on going clinical activities e.g. minor dressings/ assisting with administration of medicines/eye drops, working unsupervised at offsite clinics, patient clinical observations e.g. blood pressure measurement (for which you will have NVQ evidence to prove competence)
• To demonstrate his/her own skills to new or junior members of staff.
• To contribute to the ongoing support of patients, relatives and friends.
• To undertake Ophthalmology testing such as Visual Acuity, OCTs, Fields

In pursuing these duties the post holder will ensure compliance with the NHS Constitution

1. Promotes equality and anti-discriminatory practice for all individuals, contributing to the protection of vulnerable individuals from abuse.
2. Prepare patients for examination by the doctor chaperoning when necessary. Assist patients with basic care needs e.g. toileting, dressings, weighing etc.
3. Setting up of clinical areas by providing the correct equipment for each speciality, promoting, monitoring and maintain health, safety and security in the workplace.
4. Routine administrative/clerical tasks either manually or by telephone/computer.
5. Provide good communication with all disciplines within Outpatient departments, paying particular attention to patients and relatives. Ensuring they are treated with respect and dignity at all times.
6. Have due regard for patient’s safety and property. Maintain a working knowledge of emergency procedures e.g. cardiac arrest, fire and attend annual mandatory training. Be aware of and ensure security policies are adhered to at the individual peripheral sites. Have awareness of issues related to infection control.
7. To maintain the smooth running of clinics off site without the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse, be aware of own limitations and recognize the necessity of reporting incidents directly to Sister.
8. Prepare for and undertake agreed clinical activities with clients.
9. To undertake Ophthalmology testing such as Visual Acuity, OCTs, Fields

Working for our organisation

Community matters to us and we are supported by 400 dedicated volunteers and have strong links with Bradford University, Craven College and Leeds City College to ensure we inspire the workforce of the future.

We want to attract staff who embrace our Right Care behaviours of compassion, a commitment to quality of care and working together for patients we want to make these part of our DNA.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information and full details of the job role please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person specification

Experience

• Previous experience in health care setting as HCSW

• Previous experience working in Outpatients Department

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Direct Care and demonstrate commitment to complete further relevant NVQ units.
• Able to undertake ophthalmology skills - Visual Fields, OCT's, Visual Acuity

Skills

• Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively as a member of the OPD team aware of own limitations

• Ability to perform venipuncture

Knowledge

• Demonstrate awareness of current issues in nursing policies/procedures and health and safety in relation to OPD.

We are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities.

NOTE: This vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient suitable applications are received.

If you are offered a position which requires you to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust will administer the DBS check on your behalf and will recover the cost (Enhanced £41.90, Standard £21.90 or Basic £21.90) from your first full months salary. This is a condition of your employment.

In applying for a post that requires a DBS check you are confirming that you have read and understood the DBS Privacy Policy for Enhanced and Standard Checks (Click here for the privacy policy)

You are encouraged to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £13 cost per year.