Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary
Under the supervision of a registered nurse assisting the Ward / Department team in providing the highest possible standard of care for patients and their families/carer.

The post holder will undertake a range of tasks and duties as delegated by a registered nurse.

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates in all aspects of patient care with particular attention to personalhygiene and grooming.
• Provision of patients toileting needs, ensuring privacy and dignity is maintained.
• Support of patients in managing incontinence and promotion of continence.
• The recording of a patient’s fluid intake and output using fluid balance charts.
• Preparation and serving of patient’s meals, drinks and snacks. Assisting / feeding patients as necessary.
• The recording of patient’s dietary intake when indicated in the patient’s plan of care.
• Enable patients to maintain/improve their mobility by use of exercise and mobility appliances.
• Assist in the prevention of pressure sore development as directed by the Registered nurse in conjunction with the patient’s plan of care
• Carry out any movement and handling within the safe practice guidelines from your mandatory training and in relation to the patient’s manual handling plan.
• Obtaining specimens from patients for ward or laboratory testing.
• Removal of cannulae, catheters and nasogastric tubes
   Undertake the dressing of non-complex wounds (in accordance with identified competencies and in conjunction with the plan of care)
• Naso-gastric/PEG feeding once the tube has been passed and checked by a registered professional
• Prepare and maintain environments for clinical treatments and investigations
• Prepare patients for treatments, investigations or procedures including offering support, answering questions appropriate to own knowledge/experience and assisting in recovery
• Collection of Blood products from laboratory as requested
• Chaperoning and escorting patients to clinical departments within the hospital and to other hospitals for investigations.
• Assist Registered Nurse in performing last offices.
• General and clinical observations of patients, reporting anything untoward to Registered Nursing Staff, to include:
• Recording of blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respiration
  rate
• Oxygen saturation monitoring
• Recording of peak flow
• Undertake blood glucose monitoring and venepuncture upon the direction of the registered nurse
• Documentation in patients nursing records of any care given, ensuring the entrt is countersigned by the Registered Nurse responsible for the patient at the time.
• Initiate Basic Life Support techniques as appropriate and provides assist to the registered nurse as required in prolonged resuscitation situations.
• Contribute to the development of Essence of Care and benchmarking
• Provide a verbal handover of the patients care under the direct supervision of the registered nurse
• Ensure due regard is given to customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients and carers.

GENERAL DUTIES

• Promotes effective communication within the multi-disciplinary team and takes measures to overcome communication difficulties
• Contributes to the management of aggressive and abusive behaviour
• General bed making/making up of clean beds in readiness for new admissions,and operation beds. (Refer to policy for the care of mattresses and beds).
• Clear and clean vacated bed spaces and prepare ready for use according to the ward/unit protocol.
• Prepare used linen bags for collection by Porters and ensure adequate supply of linen bags/skips ready for use.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment in all areas.
• Safe disposal of clinical waste and sharps as per Trust policy
• Be familiar with Trust policy and procedure for reporting clinical incidents, reporting of incidents if they occur.
• Attend to the needs of visitors and patients particularly those who may be distressed or bereaved.
• Care for patients property, including valuables, in accordance with Trust policy.
• Obtain demographic details and social history from patients/visitors to assist in the admission process.
• Provide support and assistance to new and junior members of staff.

CLERICAL DUTIES

• Undertake a range of clerical duties in the absence of or in support of the Ward Clerk to ensure a smooth running service, this may involve:
• Reception/telephone duties
• Basic computer skills
• Obtaining case notes/x-rays
• Filing
• Act as messenger in the absence of other more appropriate person e.g. to other wards, laboratory, Medical Engineering etc.
• Complete maintenance repair forms
• Monitor and maintain adequate stock levels of stationary, ward provisions, clean linen etc. completing as necessary requisitions forms for authorisation

The post holder shall as necessary provide cover for and undertake duties of absent colleagues.

The post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation