Direct patient care
2.1 To practice the Care Certificate and support junior staff to achieve the
standards.
2.2 Communicate with tact, empathy, overcome barriers to understanding e.g.,
patients with physical impairment, mental health conditions or learning
disabilities.
2.3 To assist with nursing care as instructed by the registered nursing staff,
including patient toileting/ elimination.
2.4 To care for the patient’s personal clothing, property and valuables in
accordance with relevant Trust policies.
2.5 To assist with the moving and handling of patients and loads, using the
correct moving and handling aids and techniques, in accordance with Trust
policy, local guidelines and risk assessments.
2.6 To ensure that patient privacy and dignity are respected at all times and that
nursing care is patient focused.
2.7 To demonstrate an awareness of the importance of patient confidentiality
and ensure a safe and secure environment at all times.
2.8 To perform patient observations e.g. temperature, pulse, blood pressure,
respiration, urine testing, fluid balance charts, height & weight and to record
these correctly in the patient’s records, reporting any abnormality or change
in these to a qualified nurse.
2.9 Undertake a limited range of delegated clinical care duties relevant to the
specific clinical area following training and or competency sign off, for
example, ECG, urinalysis, catheter removal, MRSA screening swabs, blood
glucose monitoring, pregnancy testing, removal of peripheral cannula,
observing patients for signs of agitation or distress, providing heightened
observation through, recording of allergies on EPR and other clinical tasks
where training/competency sign off deemed appropriate for a Band 3 HCSW.
This would also include venepuncture (cannulation could be included but only
in specific areas according to Trust policy – e.g. ED).
2.10 To work within own personal/professional limitations and seek help of others
to maintain safe practice.
2.11 Assisting with nutrition where applicable e.g. assisting with menu completion,
feeding assistance. Working closely with the ward host/hostess and
housekeeper. Understanding the dietary needs of patients and utilise diet
charts and fluid balance charts appropriately.
2.12 Take an active role in maintaining effective communication with all
disciplines, patients and relatives, liaising with the trust’s MDT as appropriate,
to ensure complete holistic care is provided and harm free care is monitored.
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2.13 Demonstrates an understanding of nursing care plans and utilises them in
line with Trust policy and procedure.
2.14 Assisting in the provision of basic care to patients so as to ensure their
comfort, cleanliness and well-being, for example mouth care, hygiene and
eye care.
2.15 Reporting to registered nurses any problems or concerns arising during
observation of or conversations with patients and carers.
2.16 To report faulty equipment to the relevant department for repair.
2.17 To transport, as required, clinical specimens, blood and blood-products as
per Trust policy.
2.18 To support and reassure patients during clinical procedures or treatment.
2.19 To escort patients to and from the ward area if required and if the patient is
stable.
2.20 Provide enhanced care to patients according to the Trust policy, ensuring
therapeutic engagement with patients. Support new HCSWs to become competent
in fulfilling the responsibilities of the enhanced carer role.
2.21 In addition to the main skills above, there may be other clinical skills required of the
role.
3 Maintenance of the environment:
3.1 To support the housekeeper in the maintenance of a clean environment by
ensuring that lockers and the surrounding bed area is cleaned and
maintained properly, and that beds are cleaned and re-made when patients
are discharged.
3.2 To ensure that all linen is stored, transferred and disposed of correctly
within Trust policy.
3.3 To assist the ward team to keep the ward/clinical area tidy, including
storage cupboards, sluice, equipment and treatment rooms.
3.4 To assist in the checking, unpacking and storing of items delivered to the
clinical area.
3.5 To ensure that all equipment is cleaned after use, in line with Trust policy.
3.6 To be aware of, and demonstrate adherence to, the Trust’s policy on infection
control and waste disposal. To adhere to the principles of universal
precautions in all aspects of patient care.
3.7 To run errands as requested to assist in patient care/smooth running of the
clinical area.
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3.8
3.9
To assist in the signposting of health promotion advice as appropriate to the
role and in line with own level of competence.
To liaise with the housekeeper and clinical team to ensure that
maintenance problems are reported to the Estates maintenance
desk promptly.
3.10 To adhere to the recommendations for the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health and risk assessments appropriate to the clinical
area.
4 Customer Service
4.1 To answer the telephone in a courteous manner and relay both oral and
written messages accurately and promptly.
4.2 To greet all visitors to the ward courteously and in a professional manner.
4.3 To establish and maintain good relationships with visitors, relatives and staff,
helping them to find their way around the clinical or ward environment and
hospital site.
4.4 To be punctual at all times.
5 Professional Development
5.1 To participate in the Trust’s Individual Performance Review process and
demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development by working
towards the objectives agreed within an annual Personal Development Plan.
5.2 To assist with the induction and ongoing development of Band 2 HCSWs and
other support staff and learners, acting as a role model and buddy.
5.3 To understand own level of responsibility and accountability in relation to qualified
nurses. Identify own learning needs and produce a personal development plan in
conjunction with the ward manager/ line manager.
5.4 Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, to maintain and
develop competence and performance.
5.5 All HCSWs recruited to the Trust ,will be required to attend designated study
days, and complete relevant activities and competency assessments, whilst
working towards achieving this award within a culture of life-long learning.
6 General
6.1 To have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and
others, and to comply at all times with the requirements of the Health &
Safety regulations.
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6.2 To promote equal opportunities for staff and clients in accordance with St
George’s Healthcare NHS Trust policies. To ensure that no person receives
less favourable treatment than another does on the grounds of sex, marital
status, race, religion, creed, colour, nationality, ethnic or national or sexual
orientation.
6.3 To comply with the Trust’s No Smoking Policy
6.4 To be clean, tidy, and smart in appearance by wearing the correct uniform at all
times as per Trust policy.
6.5 To perform any duties as may be required from time to time that are
consistent with the responsibilities of the role and the needs of the service. .
6.6 To work at all times within the policies and procedures of St George’s
Healthcare NHS Trust.
6.7 To be familiar with the Patient Administration System (PAS) and Electronic
Patient Record (EPR) and any other computerized system integral to the
running of the ward or clinical area.
6.8 To report all accidents, incidents, and complaints as per Trust policy and to
participate in their investigation and management.
6.9 To attend annual mandatory training in:
6.9.1
6.9.2
6.9.3
basic life support
fire
manual handling.
7.0 To attend mandatory training in:
- Food handling
- Blood products
- Blood glucose monitoring (where appropriate)
The HCSW works under the direct supervision of a qualified nurse at all times and
must acknowledge when a particular task is outside of her/his role or competence.
