Band 3 Clinical Nursing Assistant (Bank)

Job description

Key objectives:

Promote and maintain the philosophy of the hospice.

Promote and maintain high quality patient care by acting as a role model for more junior staff.

Assist in the delivery of Specialist Palliative Care to patients / families.

Act in accordance with Bolton Hospice policies, procedures and protocols and within expected values and behaviours.

Ensure standards are maintained at all times.

Role Responsibilities:

Clinical/professional

Provide compassionate, safe and effective care and support to patients in a range of care settings, maintaining patients privacy and dignity at all times.

Assist in welcoming and receiving patients to the hospice, orientating new patients, and their families, to their surroundings.

Under the supervision of and working in partnership with a registered nurse, provide and monitor a high standard of nursing care based on evidence, contributing to the ongoing assessment of patients and working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team.

Monitor the condition and health needs of hospice patients on a continual basis, in partnership with patients, families and carers, ensuring appropriate escalation to a registered nurse when required.

Support patients to improve and maintain their mental, physical and behavioural health and wellbeing.

Promote comfort and wellbeing by ensuring that patients personal and social needs, as well as nursing needs, are met.

Safely undertake procedures to meet patients needs, including but not limited to:

Measuring and interpreting blood glucose levels, recording clinical observations using a vital signs monitor or taking manual observations when indicated, interpreting and escalating abnormal results as appropriate, personal care, managing continence care, catheter care, including performing urinalysis on a mid-stream urine sample and obtaining a urine sample from a catheter, pressure area care, skin integrity, simple dressings, nutrition, PEG care, oral hygiene, hydration, foot care, routine monitoring and removal of subcutaneous lines,o venepuncture (if appropriate to area of work)and 4 hourly syringe driver checks following competency assessment.

Safely assist the registered nurse during procedures to include:

o Complex wound management, catheterisation, bowel care, nasogastric tube placement, controlled drug administration acting as a witness for administration of CDs following competency assessment.

Identify and report changes in a patients condition to a registered nurse or one of the medical team.

Provide and receive sensitive information concerning a patients medical condition.

Contribute to nursing handover.

Ensure volunteers receive an accurate handover of all patients.

Perform the role of Meal Co-ordinator in the absence of the Ward Assistant.

Provide support to patients during clinical procedures.

Escort patients to appointments/home visits as required.

Assist with clerical duties in the absence of the Ward Clerk.

Assist the registered nursing staff during the admission and discharge process.

Perform care after death, maintaining patients dignity at all times.

To complete Wellbeing Hub initial consultation (including joint WBH/out-patient clinic appointments) with potential new patients and their family/carers and complete their follow up reviews once attending.

To be involved in goal setting of new patients.

Plan and deliver groups/workshops for patients and/or carers.

To support WBH clerical with the referral process for complex referrals requiring clinical involvement

To be responsible for contacting and liaising with patients/family/friends/health and social care professionals regarding aspects of patients care

Represent service at MDT and to cascade relevant information regarding WBH patients to the team and complete delegated follow up.

To be available as a chaperone if/when required for patient examinations in all clinical settings, including patients home.

Complete delegated professional internal/external referrals.

Supporting the creative therapist in the delivery of creative activities with patients/family/carers

Clinical Governance, Evidence Based Care, Quality and Standards

Promote the safety of patients, staff, visitors and volunteers at all times.

Understands the importance of clinical audit and is involved in clinical audit with direction.

Understand the Clinical Governance framework.

Ensure that all the policies and procedures of Bolton Hospice are adhered to.

Complete ongoing risk assessments, alerting registered staff to any changes in the level of risk.

Have an awareness of the complaints procedure.

Maintain personal and professional development.

Ensure equipment is maintained as appropriate, and necessary records are maintained.

Complete reporting of Accidents/Incidents and Near Misses via electronic Vantage system in line with hospice policy and procedure.

Maintain accurate, contemporaneous patient records, in line with hospice policy.

Contribute to quality improvement projects within their area of work.

Education and Training

Comply with mandatory competencies, in line with hospice policy.

Maintain own continuing professional development

Participate in annual appraisal and regular one to one supervision sessions.

Contribute to the maintenance of the learning environment.

Adopt a reflective approach to own practice with a view to continually improve.

Undertake further training as required, prior to carrying out any additional duties identified as relevant to the role, to comply with hospice policies and procedures.

Teach patients and their families in the safe use of equipment.

Participate in Nurse Champion Groups and share knowledge/learning with the wider team.

Be proactive in link nurse role undertaking any educational opportunities relating to the role and support with any changes

Communication

Communicate effectively and with dignity and respect to all patients, relatives and others, giving consideration to potential barriers to understanding

Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions when sharing information, delegating or handing over responsibility for care.

Recognise and report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes.

Contribute to a culture where all staff feel safe to raise their concerns and where speaking up about any concerns is a normal part of the routine.

Help create an environment which reflects the Hospices philosophy, values and its specialist palliative care approach.

Promote effective communication between members of the multi-disciplinary team and users of the service.

Promote positive communications and relationships with the public.

Other

The post holder may be required to rotate onto nights, or to different departments in the hospice, to reflect the needs of the service.

Any other requirements as appropriate to the post and location.

General Responsibilities:

Health and Safety

All employees have a duty to report and accidents, complaints, defects in equipment, near misses and untoward incidents, following hospice procedure.

Ensure health and safety legislation is complied with at all times, including COSHH and Workplace Assessment.

Confidentiality

All information relating to patients, patients families, staff, volunteers, supporters and suppliers gained through your employment with Bolton Hospice is confidential. Disclosure to any unauthorised person is a serious disciplinary offence.

Infection Control

Comply with policies and procedures for correct disposal of waste, sharps and soiled linen. Be accountable for the cleanliness of the department, liaising with and where necessary directing the housekeeping team to minimise hospice acquired infections.

Training

Managers are required to take responsibility for their own and their staffs development. All employees have a duty to attend mandatory training as required by the Hospice.

Safeguarding Vulnerable People (Children and Adults)

All employees have a responsibility to protect and safeguard vulnerable people (children and adults). They must be aware of child and adult protection procedures and who to contact within the Hospice for further advice. All employees are required to attend safeguarding awareness training and to undertake additional training appropriate to their role.

Disclosure & Barring Service Check

This post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

Valuing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

All hospice staff should carry out their duties in accordance with the values and principles of our Equality and Diversity strategy. It is the responsibility of all employees to support the hospice commitment to do all we can to ensure we do not exclude, alienate or discriminate in any way and to promote a positive attitude to equality and diversity in adherence to our Equality and Diversity policy.

Living Our Values Everyday

All staff must actively support the vision, aim and values of the hospice, promoting our core values at all times and in all aspects of your work.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good level of English and maths.
• NVQ Level 2/3 in Care or equivalent.

Desirable

• IT qualification
• Palliative care education program

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Able to work proactively, independently and on own initiative
• Adaptable and able to work in a team environment.
• Able to work under pressure.
• A commitment to the vision and values of Bolton Hospice.

Desirable

• Full driving licence and access to own vehicle for business use subject to the provisions of the Equality Act 2010

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of health care agenda.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a health Palliative care setting
• Achieved level 3 core competencies or equivalent

Skills

Essential

• Good administration and organisational skills
• Computer literacy
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to monitor quality
• Punctual, reliable and flexible
• Ability to prioritise and manage time effectively
• Ability to apply evidence to practice
• Ability to share knowledge and skills with other team members

Desirable

• Evidence of record keeping

About the employer

Our purpose is caring for all our patients and those most important to them really well, together with creating a great place to work for all our people. You will be working within a friendly and committed team and be supported to develop and implement your own ideas to make a positive impact in your role.