Health Care Assistant - Neurological Specialist Services

Job Description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will:

• Under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals/associate practitioner, within a delegated framework for agreed tasks, seek support as and when necessary, in the delivery of physical care to a defined group of people.
• Have the flexibility and skill set, with appropriate training, to work across planned and crisis pathways supporting patients to remain well in their own homes, or long-term place of residence and / or prevent hospital admission.
• As part of a healthcare team, provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.
• Develop and maintain meaningful therapeutic relationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive and empathetic approach, communicating effectively and informatively.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes of a designated group of service users to enable you to instruct, advise & guide service users, family and carers. To make the appropriate adjustments independently within own level of competence and be able to communicate any changes to service users and registered health care professionals.
• Be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan e.g., following the observation policy, taking, recording of physical observations etc, and responding to issues of concern appropriately. This may include areas of work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, health & safety.
• Exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks. Assess situations, identify and resolve potential problems, within own levels of competence.
• Ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone e.g., service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.
• Contribute to the care planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning e.g., enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/ independence/recovery.
• Implement care within well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans. Organise a range of activities e.g., facilitate meaningful activities for individuals or small groups.
• Apply knowledge of longer-term health conditions e.g., Diabetes, Obesity, smoking cessation etc, providing advice and support.
• Undertake the physical aspects of care e.g., moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care e.g., hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.
• Assist in dealing with verbal/physical aggression using de-escalation techniques, this may include the need for restraint and/or seclusion (as appropriate to the role).
• Attend to the service users personal care needs as required.
• Participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing 24-hour/7-day care (as appropriate to the role).
• Work in an integrated and partnership way with primary, secondary, social care, the independent and voluntary sector and others to improve the health and care of individuals, families and communities, particularly the most vulnerable;

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1.1 Care provision:

• To deliver excellent levels of customer services to people. Assess, problem solve or report, in a timely and proactive manner, when these standards have not been met.
• Work with a degree of independence within defined parameters, as directed by a registered health care professional (or associate practitioner if part of the team).
• Prioritise own tasks, exercising initiative and judgement in response to peoples needs. Refer and seek guidance/supervision on issues outside of post holders level of competency or authority to more senior health care professionals.
• Contribute to the initial assessment/admission/discharge process and formulation/implementation of individualised packages of care to help maximise service user recovery/rehabilitation potential.
• Act as a link or associate link for a specific area of practice.
• Clearly, accurately and contemporaneously, contribute to care documents, report observations and other service user information, in written and electronic format. Demonstrate competent IT skills, accurate data inputting and use of the internet.
• Accurately record clinical measurements and physical observations, which may include: monitoring of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, weight etc, and handle specimens of bodily fluids. Identify potential risks and respond appropriately.
• Contribute to ensuring service user needs are met e.g., emotional, personal, basic wound care, dietary, environmental etc, ensuring their privacy, dignity, rights and choices are maintained at all times. Support individuals to self-manage their own health and social wellbeing and promote individuals positive self-esteem and sense of identity.
• Participate in the management and support of individuals who exhibit challenging behaviour or present a significant imminent risk to themselves or others. Recognise and respond to changes in their presentation, including reporting the issue to a registered health care practitioner/associate practitioner as required. Respond appropriately to any emergency situation.
• Participate in supportive observation/interventions minimising the negative effects of disruptive/abusive behaviour, or in the prevention and management of violence and aggression (PMVA). Utilise de-escalation and physical control techniques as necessary. Taking reasonable steps to protect themselves from the risk of violence.
• If appropriate to the role, when directed and risk assessed by a health care practitioner, accompany/escort service users within/outside Trust grounds. Apply care principles to enable service user to meet maximum level of independence.
• Ensure action to reduce risks to health and safety and all possible steps are taken in identifying, managing and reporting risks, to help safeguard the welfare, safety and security of people, e.g., children, service users, visitors and staff. Contribute to the reduction of hazards in the environment, considering safety, security, theft or damage.
• Use effective verbal/written communication at all times, incorporating tact, empathy, consideration, courtesy and confidentiality. Adapt style of communication to respond to service user communication difficulties and psychological, social, physical and spiritual needs.
• Work with sensitivity and an understanding of the issues experienced by service users.
• Ensure moving and handling of people/loads is carried out in a safe and effective manner, in accordance with policy and training, as directed by a registered health care professional/associate practitioner.
• Work in