AGENDA FOR CHANGE

NHS JOB EVALUATION SCHEME

JOB DESCRIPTION

1.  JOB IDENTIFICATION

Job Title: Health Care Assistant
Reports to (insert job title): Ward Manager/Charge Nurse
Department, Ward or Section:Diagnostics/Interventional
CHP, Directorate or Corporate Department: Medical and Diagnostics
Job Reference: SSMEDRAIGDIAG 09
No of Job Holders:10
Last Update (insert date):31st August 2015

2. JOB PURPOSE

As part of the multidisciplinary team the post holder will be required to assist registered nurses and sonographers in the delivery of direct and indirect patient care, with or without direct supervision.
3.  DIMENSIONS
1.  Assisting in the nursing care of patients attending the Diagnostic/Interventional Area for investigative tests or interventional procedures.
2.  The Diagnostic Area incorporates Nuclear Medicine, Clinical Measurement, Ultrasound and Radiology. Nursing Assistants also work in the Cath Lab bedded area in support of trained staff.
3.  The patient population covers all ages from infancy onwards; in-patients, outpatients, surgical, medical and emergencies.
4.  Assisting in the care of patients attending from other hospitals
5.  Infection control
6.  Ordering supplies, sundries and disposables

4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION – MEDICAL DIRECTORATE

Directorate General Manager

Directorate Nurse Manager

Clinical Ward Manager

Deputy Ward Manager


Staff Nurses Auxiliary Nurses (post holder) Colleagues

5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT

The Diagnostic Area comprises the following departments: Radiology, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Management, the Cath Lab and bedded area. The role of the department is to perform diagnostic tests and interventional procedures on both in-patients and outpatients.

6. MAIN TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  All nursing assistants will undertake training to enable them to attain knowledge of the role and the standards of patient care expected.

2.  Provide physical care for patients attending the department; assists patients to dress/undress, assists patients with toileting, washes patients as required.
3.  Works within the limits of the Local Rules – radiation protection – and has an understanding of the risks of radiation, the warning signs on display and the safe handling and disposal of radioisotopes in the appropriate sharps bins.
4.  Assists patients with mobility problems; getting in and out of chairs, on and off imaging tables of fixed height, on and off trolleys.
5.  Assists the Nurse Practitioner who is inserting PICC lines
6.  Responsible for ensuring that they communicate well with other members of the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives/carers. Ensures confidentiality is observed.
7.  Listening to patients and relatives/carers and reporting concerns to the registered nurse.
8.  Communicates with other departments as required e.g. diet kitchen, porters etc.
9.  Organises the ultrasound lists, liaising with the wards and portering staff re. mode of transport for patients. Ensures the correct requests and notes are available. Enters patient details into the ultrasound machine. Ensures that the appropriate transducers are available. Completes correct paper work for the sonographers. Checks and cleans the room and Ultrasound machine. Ensures that RIS is accurately completed.
10.  Participate in team meetings
11.  Answers the telephone and takes and gives accurate messages
12.  Assist and provide nursing care to terminally ill patients attending the department
13.  Prepares trolleys/equipment for specific procedures
14.  Removal of Venflons after training
15.  Works with Consultant Radiologists who are doing both outpatient lists and in patient lists.
16.  Works with the Sonographers who are running in patient lists.
17.  Maintain optimum stock levels and order stock as required
18.  Cleans equipment/beds etc.
19.  Helps to maintain a clean and tidy department
20.  Reports faulty equipment to nurse in charge
21.  Adhere to ward and unit procedures for the use of supplies and equipment in order to provide the effective and efficient use of resources
22.  Participate in personal career development plan to maximise skills and develop personal growth
23.  Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
24.  Photocopies and replenishes necessary paperwork
25.  Assists trained staff with patients who are having a biopsy/drainage. After training will record, and report to trained staff, the baseline observations (pulse and BP) for patients attending for biopsies.
26.  Very occasionally carries out a urine sample pregnancy test.
27.  Attaches ECG electrodes to patients undergoing cardiac stress tests in Nuclear Medicine and those attending for echocardiography.
28.  In Nuclear Medicine, will record patient details in the register, take and record height and weight of patients, assist when radioisotope injections are being administered, ensure that the correct radiation protection slip accompanies in-patients back to the ward, make tea/coffee and organise sandwiches as required for patients. Sets out injection trays in preparation for the next day. Disposes of sharps from isotope injections appropriately and ensures that contaminated waste is dealt with as per radiation protection instructions. Changes sharps bins containing radioactive waste once a week. Monitors waste bags with Geiger counter for radioactive contamination, and disposes of waste as per departmental guidelines.
29.  Assists the echocardiographer with outpatient lists i.e. attaching ECG electrodes, checking patient details, assisting patients on and off the bed.
30.  Assists with or begins cardiac arrest procedure until the arrival of trained staff.
31.  Works in the bedded area attached to the cath lab. The N/A assists the trained staff in the admission of patients for cardiac catheterisation. Is involved in the monitoring of patients post cardiac cath or PCI. Ensures that patients are supplied with food and drink as appropriate. Helps to clear the ward at the end of the day and prepare the area for the next day. Keeps the bedded area clean and tidy.
32.  Escorts patients to x ray post pacemaker insertion.
33.  May be trained to perform 12 lead ECGs for patients attending the cath lab.
34.  May be trained in, and undertake venepuncture.
35.  May assist the Consultant Radiologist during back lists in radiology. Assists by opening sterile packs using an aseptic technique for the Consultant, helping position the patient on the bed and assisting them afterwards. Cleaning and tidying the theatre to an acceptable standard.

7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

Utilise technical clinical equipment, calibrating when required, checking for faults and ensuring regular maintenance.

Equipment
Butterfly devices, venflons syringes, needles
Monitoring equipment for –
Blood pressure, temperature, pulse, oxygen saturations
Oxygen equipment – flowmeters, masks, nasal cannulae
Various suction devices
Drains – Chest, paracentesis, Various devices
Urinary Catheters – suprapubic, urethral
Various hoists, slide sheets, “PAT” slide, turn table, slide board, blocks
Wheelchairs
Resuscitation equipment including
Defibrillator
Ultrasound machines – superficial checks, cleaning of filters, care of transducers. Arranges transport to/ from ITU
Use of syringe shields , lead boxes for isotope injections.
Patient trolleys with oxygen
Stress bike in Nuclear medicine
Geiger counter
Dynamap
Photocopier
Drip stands
Oxygen cylinders
Computers (Intranet, Internet, Word) Printers
Phone system / Disposes of sharps safely.
To measure and observe patients condition and act appropriately on changes in condition
To give correctly prescribed O2 concentration
To drain fluid/air from various parts of the body
To drain urine
To safely move patient
Safe movement of patients
To resuscitate and administer shock following cardiac arrest.
7b. SYSTEMS
1.  Maintains patient records in accordance with NHS Highland Policy and Procedures e.g. fluid charts, TPR and B/P, weight etc.
2.  Completes and provides information for personal development plans
3.  Orders ward routine stock
4.  Involved in Ward communications systems
5.  Maintains work requisition forms

8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

1.  The Nursing Assistant has access to trained nursing support at all times.
2.  Works within the NHS Highland policies, procedures and protocols and within the framework of the ward.
3.  Is able to prioritise own workload in order to cope with conflicting demands i.e. which patient to care for first etc.
4.  Assignment of work will be by senior staff on duty.
5.  Work review and formal appraisal or performance will be carried out by senior staff within ward
9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
1.  Within the team, plans and prioritises patient care e.g. who or what is attended to first dependant on
the investigations/patient movement required on the day.
2.  Recognises own limitations in the provision of clinical care and the urgency of patient needs referring
to a registered nurse as required.
3.  Has authority to undertake certain duties without referring to a registered nurse e.g. investigating wrong stock delivery, completing repair form for faulty equipment.

10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

1.  Managing daily the changing and competing demands of patients, relatives/carers and professional colleagues.
2.  Emotional and physical demands of the nature of the role
3.  Dealing with violent, aggressive and challenging behaviour both verbal and physical - occasional
4.  Ensuring patient safety at all times
5.  Working in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Ultrasound, Ante Natal and Echocardiography requires the Nursing Assistant to have some knowledge of a wide and diverse range of procedures.
6.  Working with 16 Consultants and 5 Sonographers means that the Nursing Assistant must keep track of different methods of working and requirements.
11.  COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
1.  Establish and maintain professional relationships with nursing colleagues and members of the multidisciplinary team as appropriate to benefit patients
2.  Attends ward/staff meetings as a participating member of the health care team
3.  Contributes to policy changes, patient care delivery through team meetings
4.  Relays information given to them by relatives or patients which might be significant and within the boundaries of confidentiality
5.  Communicates with other wards or departments as required, i.e., catering, laundry, estates, supplies
12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
PHYSICAL
1.  Frequent moving and handling of patients – in bed, onto trolleys, from bed to chair, assist with walking etc.
2.  Risk assess department area and be inventive in creating a safe working environment for all staff whilst being sensitive to patients environment.
3.  Fine motor skills and dexterity to carry out wound dressings etc.
4.  Frequent need to walk stand and bend during shift to provide patient care
5.  Frequent transferring of patients and belongings from/to other wards
6.  Hand washing/cleansing in between patients
7.  Washing and cleaning patients
8.  Use of moving and handling aids e.g. hoists
9.  Lifting of stock/supplies, linen bags, mattresses
10.  Coping with unpleasant materials and smells – bodily fluids, infected wounds, vomit etc., frequently.
11.  Keyboard skills
12.  Shifts waste bags and puts out linen bags
13.  Transport patients on chairs or trolleys, with assistance, between departments e.g. Nuclear Medicine to X-ray.
14.  Receives and stores disposables – can involve heavy moving.
15.  Occasionally moving Ultrasound machines between scan rooms
16.  Occasionally wears heavy lead apron and collar
MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
1.  Concentration, decision making and problem solving skills to cope with the competing demands of patient needs
2.  Reacting to and evaluating constant environmental/clinical changes
3.  Negotiation skills to deal with patients, relatives and other health care colleagues competing for time priorities
4.  Emotional demands in caring for people in distress/crisis
5.  Working in areas with high noise levels e.g. phones ringing and people talking.
6.  Working in very hot conditions on the ward/department
7.  Working in areas lit by electric lights
8.  Recognising and dealing with violent/aggressive and challenging behaviour - occasionally
9.  Exposure to radiation
10.  Working all day in rooms that lack natural light, air conditioning or good ventilation
11.  Working in very low light in the Ultrasound rooms

13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

1.  Completion of a Programme of Preparation for this role
2.  Possession of or willingness to undertake a recognised national programme of competency based training for healthcare support workers e.g. Glasgow Caledonian NICHE Programme, N/SVQ level 2
3.  Demonstrate evidence of participation in further development programmes
4.  Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
5.  Effective written and verbal communication skills
6.  Ability to carry out assigned tasks effectively in a busy environment
7.  Previous hospital experience
8.  Understanding of the hazards of radiation exposure and the necessity of following the Local Rules on radiation protection.
9.  Venepuncture training
10.  Understanding of asepsis
11.  Training in taking a 12 lead ECG.
14. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
I agree that the above Job Description is an accurate reflection of my duties and responsibilities at the date of signing.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Manager’s Signature: / Date:
Date:

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