Healthcare Support Worker

Job summary
*** This vacancy is currently only open to internal applicants at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust ***

An exciting opportunity is awaiting you if you are a highly motivated, enthusiastic healthcare assistant with excellent communication skills. We want you to join our team in our chemotherapy unit at the Alexandra Hospital. You will have the opportunity to be part of this service and our innovative ways of working as we grasp this opportunity to influence, shape and develop the changing face of cancer care and service provision in our Trust.

The 14 chaired day unit cares for patients with a range of cancers who are receiving chemotherapy and other types of treatments. We aim to provide an individualised and supportive environment for patients in which to deliver this specialised high standard care.

The ability to communicate effectively with the patients and all members of the team is essential. You will be supported in this post by the unit manager and team, Matron for oncology/Haematology and the Lead Chemotherapy Nurse.

For further information , please contact the Rowan Suite

The unit opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturdays 9am to 5pm.

Main duties of the job

• Ensure the Chemotherapy unit is adequately prepared at the start of the day and re-stocked as necessary, including cleaning recliner chairs and trolleys etc.
• To welcome patients onto the unit and undertake observations this includes temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, weight, body mass index, urinalysis and blood sugars. Any variations must be reported immediately to trained staff to maintain patient safety.
• To assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean clinical environment to reduce the risk of infection
• To answer telephone calls bleeps, etc. and to take messages informing appropriate persons of the call or bleep received.
• To assist with the ordering and monitoring of stock items to ensure efficient use of department resources.
• To chaperone patients during physical examinations and procedures.
• To undertake clinical procedures as defined by Trust protocol and procedures (phlebotomy, PICC line care)
• To report immediately to the nurse in charge any observed change in a patients condition or any concern expressed by a patient about nursing or medical treatment to maintain patient safety and improve communication.
• To respond appropriately to clinical emergencies to ensure the patient receives appropriate care.
• To ensure patients are kept fully informed of their situation.
• To carry out reception, clerical and housekeeping duties as required improving department efficiency.

About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Job responsibilities

• Ensure the Chemotherapy unit is adequately prepared at the start of the day and re-stocked as necessary, including cleaning recliner chairs and trolleys etc.
• To welcome patients onto the unit and undertake observations this includes temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, weight, body mass index, urinalysis and blood sugars. Any variations must be reported immediately to trained staff to maintain patient safety.
• To assist in the maintenance of a safe and clean clinical environment to reduce the risk of infection.
• To ensure all patient records whether electronic or written are updated as required.
• To answer telephone calls bleeps, etc. and to take messages informing appropriate persons of the call or bleep received.
• To assist with the ordering and monitoring of stock items to ensure efficient use of department resources.
• To chaperone patients during physical examinations and procedures.
• To undertake clinical procedures as defined by Trust protocol and procedures (phlebotomy, PICC line care)
• To assess patients wellbeing and seek support if required from other healthcare professionals.
• To report immediately to the nurse in charge any observed change in a patients condition or any concern expressed by a patient about nursing or medical treatment to maintain patient safety and improve communication.
• To respond appropriately to clinical emergencies to ensure the patient receives appropriate care.
• To ensure patients are kept fully informed of their situation.
• To respond to patient requests for non-clinical information to improve communication.
• To carry out reception, clerical and housekeeping duties as required improving department efficiency.

Person Specification
other
Essential

• A Disclosures and Barring Service check will be carried out where the position is eligible for a Disclosures and Barring Service Check in accordance with the 2012 Protection of Freedom Act and the guidance issued by the DBS. All posts working with children or vulnerable adults are required to have an Enhanced DBS checked including checking against DBS / ISA Vetting and barring lists.

skills/knowledge
Essential

• Good verbal and non-verbal communication skills Good written communication skills

Desirable

• Use of IT systems to record information

Qualifications
Essential

• Basic education

Desirable

• First Aid qualification Recognised qualification in English Venepuncture and cannulation

Experience
Essential

• Previous experience working as a healthcare assistant

Desirable

• Experience of working with people who have had a cancer or haematological condition

personal qualities
Essential

• Good interpersonal skills

Desirable

• Keyboard/computer skills and knowledge

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 Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Address Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR5 1DD, United Kingdom
Employer's website Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: rowan suite unit manager, deborah roadknight, View email address on meeveem.com, View phone number on meeveem.com

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.