JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: / NURSING ASSISTANT
Reference Number 111 Band 5
Department: / Inpatient Unit
Location: / St Barnabas House
Reporting to: / Ward Sister/Team Leader (Nursing)
Job Purpose: / To support the Registered Nurses in providing evidence based, individualized specialist palliative nursing care to inpatients adhering to statutory regulations and Hospice policies.
Direct Reports: / None
Position in Organisation
Contact with others
Internal: Patients, carers and relatives, All Hospice staff and volunteers
External: NHS Trusts, Primary Health Care Teams, other Hospices and Charitable organisations, Nursing Homes, Social Services, Emergency Services, Funeral Directors, Registrar for Births, Deaths and Marriages, West Sussex County Council, Coroner.
Main areas of responsibility

Key Accountabilities &

% Importance /

Tasks

Clinical
40% /
  • To work collaboratively with Registered Nurses in the delivery of quality holistic nursing care for patients.
  • To be responsive and available to the patients needs as appropriate.
  • To report changes in condition noticed in patients and work with the multi-professional team to adapt care appropriately.
  • To contribute to the keeping of accurate and relevant records by recording the care provided.
  • To provide a comfortable, safe and welcoming environment for patients, ensuring privacy and dignity are maintained at all times.
  • To ensure the patients dietary needs are met by helping patients with their meal choices, issuing meals and feeding patients as appropriate.
  • To care for the deceased patient by administering last offices and ensuring the safe and timely removal of the body from the hospice.

Communication
40% /
  • To establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with multi-disciplinary teams within the Hospice and in the community.
  • To communicate effectively with patients, carers and the bereaved to establish and maintain trusting relationships.
  • To offer a high level of emotional support to patients and/or carers particularly during admission, breaking of bad news and time of death, recognising own limitations and referring to the Registered Nurses as appropriate.
  • To contribute to bereavement care offered to families by occasionally taking part in bereavement interviews and reporting any concerns related to risk assessment to the Registered Nurses.

Health & Safety
10% /
  • To act at all times to promote the safety and wellbeing of patients.
  • To ensure the Ward environment is free from hazards and all nursing equipment is safely and appropriately stored.
  • To attend mandatory training.
  • To ensure the safe storage and use of hazardous substances according to COSHH regulations.
  • To contribute to Health and Safety risk assessments and actions required as a result, as appropriate.

Education
10% /
  • To attend mandatory training.
  • To develop and maintain own knowledge and skills in palliative care.
  • To act as a mentor for Ward Volunteers and visiting Nursing Assistants.
  • To take part in formal educational activities under the guidance of Ward Sisters and the Head of Education.
  • To contribute to the in-patient unit resource files.

Decisions / Recommendations
Decisions are made each shift as to the appropriateness of nursing interventions and the need for Registered Nurse input.
The job involves contribution to procedures.
Dimensions and limits of authority / influence
Delegated responsibility for allocated patients’ care.
Responsibility to report any concerns/changes in the patient’s condition as much of job involves working without direct supervision.
Responsible for knowing own limitations and when to seek advice/help
Responsible for the handling of patient’s valuables and property.
Allocation / checking of work
Job involves initiating own activities.
Working under the direction of the Registered Nurses.
Activity recorded as part of the patient records.
Physical effort
Work is physically labour intensive, on feet for most of the shift and sometimes continuously.
Regular safe manual handling of patients and equipment, including beds, mattresses, chairs and deceased bodies necessary - significant risk with the manual handling of some patients who can be unpredictable.
Regular bending and stretching involved, at times in awkward/difficult positions.
Mentally tiring due to prolonged episodes of listening and support for patients/carers
Working conditions / environment
Routinely exposed to patients with infections, infected linen and body fluids.
Regular exposure to hazardous substances including chemicals, medical gases and medications.
Recognised protective clothing including aprons and gloves to be worn as required.
Daily contact with distressed patients, carers and relatives requiring a high level of emotional support.
Constant involvement with the dying process and death.
Regular exposure to distressing scenes, and occasionally verbal abuse from patients or relatives.
The Inpatient Unit lacking air-conditioning can become very hot in summer.
Due to building structure this may at times necessitate the moving of patients to different rooms.
Qualifications, skills and knowledge required
Qualifications and/or Experience
Experience working as a Nursing Assistant in other settings – preferably Hospital
Desirable
Willingness to study for NVQ Level 3.
Skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work within a large team.
Ability to use own initiative
Ability to respond to changing situations
Able to identify personal coping strategies
Personal grief resolved sufficiently to cope with working in palliative care setting
Knowledge
Able to demonstrate a good insight into palliative care principles and philosophy

OTHER DUTIES

To undertake any other duty within your ability and within reason, as may be required from time to time, at the direction of your line manager.

ASSISTANCE

The Hospice has the advantage of being supported by a number of volunteers. If a volunteer is assigned to assist you at any time, you will still retain responsibility for the requirements of this job in terms of accuracy, efficiency and standards of completion. You will also ensure good communication and be mindful of your responsibility towards that volunteer in terms of Health and Safety.

CONFIDENTIALITY

You should be aware of the confidential nature of the Hospice environment and/or your role. Any matters of a confidential nature, relating to patients, carers, relatives, staff or volunteers must not be divulged to any unauthorised person.Ensuring patient confidentiality is maintained in accordance with the Caldicott principal and Data Protection Act.

DATA PROTECTION

You should make yourself aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act and follow local codes of practice to ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard confidential information.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

You are required to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your acts or omissions and you should ensure that statutory regulations, policies, codes of practice and safety and good house-keeping rules are adhered to, attending safety and fire lectures as required.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This Job Description is not intended to be restrictive and should be taken as the current representation of the nature of the duties involved in your job and needs to be flexible to cope with the changing needs of the job and the Hospice.

Nursing Assistant STBHPage 1

Updated Jun 07