Health Care Assistant (Days)

JOB TITLE Health Care Assistant REPORTS TO Hospice at Home Team sister MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES To work as part of a team assisting to provide high quality care to people with palliative care needs, their families and carers in their own home. To support and contribute to an environment of continuous quality improvement and learning. Clinical: Ensure that hospice policies, procedures and standards are adhered to at all times particularly those concerning confidentiality, information governance, health and safety and infection control. Work independently and with nursing colleagues to deliver individualised, quality and skilled care to patients and their carers, reporting and documenting changes in condition to an appropriate health care colleague, to enable re assessment and adaptation of care according to changes identified. Effectively prioritise and plan workload according to individual need and in partnership with others in the team and multi-disciplinary teams. Work autonomously with a defined work load with indirect supervision from the hospice at home shift coordinator or registered nurse. To implement and review patient care plans according to Hospice policies and procedures. To provide family and bereavement support to relatives and carers demonstrating a realistic attitude towards people facing a life limiting diagnosis. To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with members of the multi disciplinary team (MDT) ensuring the delivery of coordinated service and the maintenance of positive inter-personal working relationships with all members of the MDT. Deal with questions, concerns and complaints, from patients, their families and carers as appropriate according to Hospice policies and procedures. To maintain up to date accurate patient records in accordance with Hospice policies, procedures and guidelines. Maintain the effective health and safety procedures that have been implemented, and that any risks to patients/staff safety are highlighted for action. Maintain infection control measures that are implemented ensuring that any risk associated with the prevention and control of infections are reported immediately to a senior colleague. Record and report all accidents, complaints and untoward incidents according to Hospice policies and procedures. Ensure that standards relating to patient assessment, admission and discharge are applied consistently. To ensure that patient documentation is completed accurately and fully in line with the Hospice record keeping policy. Monitor the patients clinical condition, identify any significant changes and adapt according to service user need; incorporating high standards of individualised care. Report any significant changes to the relevant health care professionals e.g. Hospice Physician, patients GP. Utilise IT skills, including the use of Microsoft office, email, internet and the hospice patient record (EMIS). Communication Skills - To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with members of the multi disciplinary team (MDT) ensuring the delivery of a coordinated service and the maintenance of good working relationships with all members of the MDT. Foster good working relationships with all Hospice departments and members of the multidisciplinary team. Communicate effectively with patients and families ensuring they contribute and consent to treatment and care plans. Give clear, concise reports on patients progress and concerns to the multi-disciplinary team and facilitate others to do so. Ensure accurate, contemporaneous documentation of patient care, both personally and by others using electronic systems. Communicate information to distressed and/or bereaved people in a sensitive manner. Manage situations where people are distressed or angry in an effective, safe manner. Be able to communicate effectively with people exhibiting challenging behaviours, ensuring they are respected but expectations are made as clear as possible. Have excellent telephone communication skills, taking calls from patients, carers and professionals managing their concerns effectively and sensitively. Manage complaints in a sensitive manner ensuring that the Hospice policy and procedure is adhered to. Identify problems in communication with both the hospice and in dealings with external agencies, reporting these to the appropriate healthcare professional promptly. Advocate for service users ensuring their views are known to the team including supporting advance care planning discussions and documentation. Work in accordance with the Hospice policies to ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times. Personal and People Development - Develop and maintain relevant knowledge and skills and be responsible for own continuing professional development. Attend and complete mandatory training and any other essential training relevant to the job role. Provide mentor support to new staff, apprentices, students and volunteers To identify and participate in the development of teaching and educational programmes (appropriate to your role). To participate in one to one supervision with own line manager Quality and Service Improvement - Be aware of organisational strategic direction and future issues pertaining to the provision of specialist palliative and supportive care, and contribute to and participate in organisational service development. Contribute to the identification of practices that could improve service delivery outcomes and participate in the development of appropriate action plans through: audit, research, evaluation, education/training, user involvement. Participate in the implementation and review of subsequent action plans. Take an active role in unit meetings, highlighting areas requiring quality improvement. Use and maintain resources efficiently and effectively and encourage others to do so. Health, Safety and Security - Identify risks as they arise and carry out risk assessments, taking immediate remedial action as required and updating risk assessments regularly. Adhere to the adverse event and serious incident reporting policy and take appropriate action. Be familiar with and support implementation of safeguarding policies, the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Promote an environment that supports infection prevention and control policies and procedures, ensuring staff practice accordingly. Use equipment safely and in accordance with instructions and departmental procedures, reporting faults as necessary. Governance - Ensure that Hospice policies, procedures and standards are adhered to at all times with particular regard to those concerning complementary therapy, confidentiality, information governance, health and safety, prevention and control infection and medicines management. Ensure the effective utilisation of the Hospices computer based patient record system, promoting the use of information technology for recording patient information, communication and information sharing; implementing procedural change as necessary. Ensure that the department is compliant with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and contribute to the Care Quality Commission inspection process. Contribute to effective outcome monitoring of service delivery in line with the above regulation.

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