Support Worker

Job responsibilities

Job Description

PositionSupport Worker

Responsible to Inpatient Ward Manager

Hours 37.5 hours per week (Full time)

Part time hours considered

Salary Band 2

Role Summary To work as a support worker, primarily responsible for carrying out assigned tasks involving direct patient care, in support and supervised by a Registered Health Care Professional.

Role

• As part of the support worker team you will be expected to have knowledge and be able to undertake the role below.
• To be responsible for carrying out assigned tasks involving direct patient care, in support and supervised by a registered Health Care Professional.
• To maintain a high standard of direct patient care and staff morale, through personal example, good conduct and appearance.
• To always act in a manner consistent with recognised Health Care Codes of Conduct and professional standards as well as Hospice Vales and policies.

Responsibilities

• Participate frequently in tasks requiring physical effort for short periods.
• Maintain good standards of tidiness in all environments under the direction of the staff member in charge, including cleaning of equipment used in the care of the patients, cleaning of storage shelves and cupboards, safe disposal of linen and soiled linen, and assisting with the maintenance of stock levels.
• Participate in audits of practice and clinical effectiveness and practice developments.
• Medicines Management assist in maintaining custody of controlled drugs, checking and witnessing of administration of drugs according to Hospice Policy and in line with the NMC Standards for the Administration of Medicine.
• Actively manage risk within the clinical area.
• Liaise with other members of MDT by attending MDT meetings at directions of the staff member in charge.
• Assist and support qualified staff, and ascertain which treatments are to be carried out at each shift.
• Maintain accurate records of patient care in accordance with professional standards of record keeping
• Verbally report on general condition or appearance of patients to the staff member in charge and report changes.
• Deal with bodily fluids on a daily basis.
• Able to deal sensitively with terminally ill patients and their relatives
• Frequently manage and participate in distressing situations.
• Concentrate for long periods and respond to unpredictable patient and staff demands.
• Responsible for the safe handling and storage of patients valuables.
• Ensure admission and discharge policies adhere to Hospice policies.
• Support clinical governance systems and ensure care is delivered appropriately.
• Provide support for new members of staff as part of their induction.
• Ordering of supplies when necessary, promoting cost effectiveness and efficiency.
• Assist and promote good staff morale, supporting staff.
• Being responsible for own personal and professional development
• Ensure confidentiality is adhered to at all times.
• To provide cover for colleagues within the clinical areas as directed by your manager.

• To co-operate actively in achieving the aims of the Hospices Health & Safety Policy and to ensure the observance of all Health & Safety Rules and Procedures.

Willow Wood Hospice is a registered charity, not part of the NHS and it costs over £3.3 million to run the Hospice every year. We rely on support from the community of Tameside and Glossop, both through volunteering time and donating money to enable us to continue our existing services.

For this reason, it is expected that all members of staff will also support the fundraising activities of the Hospice. We encourage every staff member to help at, participate in, or support at least two fundraising activities every year. Opportunities to support fundraising activities vary and could include helping at fundraising and shop events, taking part in an event and raising sponsorship or attending cheque presentations. Staff members will be asked as part of their annual appraisal which events they have supported.

Person Specification

Personal and other qualities

Essential

• Competent IT skills
• Ability to develop effective relationships with other organisations locally and nationally
• Understanding of roles within Multidisciplinary team
• Knowledge of a range of approaches to the care of people with life limiting illnesses
• Good time management and organisational skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills

Desirable

• A proven track record of helping others

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with patients with life limiting illnesses
• Effective communication skills
• Excellent report writing skills

Desirable

• Ability to demonstrate resilience when working in end of life care settings
• Experience of using EMIS or alternative electronic patient record system

Qualifications

Essential

• Experienced support worker

Desirable

• Care certificate
• NVQ level 2

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Willow Wood Hospice

Address

Willow Wood Close

Ashton under Lyne

Lancashire

OL6 6SL

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.willowwood.info/ (Opens in a new tab)