Healthcare assistant

An exciting position has arisen to join the Medical Outpatient department for Northampton General Hospital based at Danetre Hospital, Daventry. This is a part time post 30 hours. The hours of work are generally Monday to Friday in Northampton Medical Outpatients 8.30am–variable finishing times.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, innovative Healthcare Assistant to work in this busy clinic area to support the senior nurses and general medical clinicians in providing high quality care to patients in MOPD. There is the opportunity to work in other outpatient areas under medicine e.g., Rheumatology, Diabetes, Elderly, Medical day care unit and Dantre Hospital

You must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrate the ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a multidisciplinary team. You must also be able to support the effective running of a busy outpatients department.

Supporting Clinical & Patient Excellence

Main duties and Responsibilities include:
Running and coordinating busy clinics, this can be up to 10 clinics running at one time.

Setting up clinic rooms, ensuring they are clean and fully equipped with all the necessary equipment for that clinician.

Clerking patients in on arrival

Taking observations: Blood pressure, temperature, pulse, oxygen saturations, weight, height, and BMI

The HCA needs to be able to perform Urine analysis and Electrocardiography (ECGS) if requested.

Checking stock levels and order when required.

Act upon any abnormal observations/results immediately

Provide clear and concise written documentation of results and observations as per Trust guidance.

Report any concerns/incidents relating to patient or environment health and safety to a registered nurse/healthcare practitioner.

Recognising the Equality and Diversity of patients, clients, relatives, and multi-disciplinary groups by supporting non-discriminatory practice & acknowledging the patient’s personal beliefs and identity.

Maintaining a clean and tidy environment, including bed areas, store cupboards, sluice, treatment room and equipment used for procedures.

Undertaking the cleaning of clinic equipment, according to policy and procedure. Make effective use of the infection control policy.

Provide clear and concise verbal communication to patients, clients, and multidisciplinary teams.

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Communication:
Recognise and maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients/clients and their records

Ensure clarity in communicating with patients/clients and their relatives as well as other team members and in answering questions within the sphere of one’s own knowledge.

Report changes in patients’ condition to the registered nurse on duty

Contribute to the on-going support of patients/clients and others significant to them, enabling patients/clients to maintain their interests, identity, and emotional well-being.

Welcome patients/clients, their families, and other visitors to the department. Introduce them to the facilities and services provided.

Answer the telephone in a clear, friendly, helpful, and professional manner. Take any Messages accurately and refer to a registered nurse as necessary.

Demonstrate a caring approach to patients/clients, their families, and visitors and to have good verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Leadership

Lead by example with drive and enthusiasm, responding appropriately to the needs of patients, families, and carers.

Set high standards of care for the department, including clinic cleanliness etc., ensuring these are maintained so that the patients experience is excellent.

Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and/or staff wellbeing.

People/Management Excellence

Have the ability and knowledge to competently deal with an emergency.

Manage his/her time effectively and perform allocated tasks within a reasonable time

Frame, knowing when to seek support, assistance, and advice from other team members.

Undertake general clerical duties that may be associated with the smooth running of the department.

Assist in the maintenance of department equipment and stock levels.

Professional Responsibilities

At all times to adhere to statutory, mandatory, Trust guidance and the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England (2013). Adopted and adapted for use at NGH January 2014.

Maintain own statutory, mandatory training, and divisional/directorate specific essential training.

Be self-motivated and seek ways to flexibly extend own knowledge skills

To have an awareness of nursing policies and procedures

Identify learning needs in self

Understand own limitations and know where to find advice and assistance.

Act as a role model for new starters in the area.