HealthJobsUK

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We are a specialist Foundation Trust with a global reputation for innovation and, most importantly, excellent patient care. Giving our colleagues the time to work with compassion, and giving our patients the first class care they deserve is our top priority. Professional development within our friendly and supportive teams is also a high priority, and we can help you grow a successful career.

Our Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) is one of 11 in the UK designated to receive and treat spinal cord injured patients. Our Centre is one of excellence and serves a catchment of 10 million from North Wales, Mid Wales, South Mersey, Cheshire and The West Midlands and provides a lifelong service to a current population of 3,500 patients. MCSI, which comprises of Gladstone Ward and Wrekin Ward and an Outpatients unit. We work closely with our therapy teams, psychology teams and resettlement teams. 

MCSI recently received 'Outstanding' rating by CQC for caring. Please check out our recruitment video and CQC report in the additional information to learn more about the great opportunities and support available in RJAH.

• To assist patients in increasing their independence in all activities of daily living, under the direct/indirect supervision of trained staff (nurse or therapist).

• Assist and perform defined aspects of patient care related to the needs of SCI patients at the MCSI, following Local Procedural Guidelines and Protocols, maintaining competence and skills
  as required.

• Frequently assist patients to maintain and improve their mobility to their full potential. Assist with dressing, promoting independence as much as possible within the boundaries of the patients functional ability.

• Frequently assist patients when transferring from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to bed, and during car transfers whilst encouraging their independence. Regularly use tracking and mobile hoists for patients who are unable to transfer independently whilst encouraging verbal independence. Use other mechanical handling equipment e.g. sliding boards/slide sheets to comply with manual handling regulations with patients who are competent and safe to carry out the manoeuvre with some assistance.

• To ensure regular pressure relieving for patients whilst in bed or in the wheelchair. To carry out manual/profiling bed turns, or to assist in trained turns, following MCSI policies/competencies. Patients should be encouraged to participate in achieving turns if safely able to do so.

• Assist other team members to maintain skin integrity of all the patients and have a working knowledge of all aids that are available to support this practice. Have a basic knowledge and understanding of the importance of skin care in SCI patients, and perform with the support of the qualified nurse preventative interventions to avoid potential skin damage.

• Using knowledge of aseptic technique and principles of wound care including use of products, perform basic aseptic technique dressing procedures in line with agreed protocols and having completed necessary appropriate training. This task will be requested by the senior qualified nurse.

• Act as the patient’s advocate, chaperoning and assisting the medical staff as needed during examinations. If necessary reporting verbal information to the qualified nurse.

• To carry out venepuncture and electrocardiographs (ECG) as directed by the nurse in charge/medical staff within the agreed protocols and guidelines. Maintain competence by regularly carrying out the procedure, and attend relevant training updates.

• Collect specimens using the appropriate technique and equipment, and ensure the safe and correct disposal of bodily waste is carried out following the Trust infection control policy.

• Administer suppositories and enemas as indicated within the local protocol and following appropriate competency based training. Perform manual bowel evacuations on a regular basis on patients who are unable to defecate normally. Assist the patient to ensure that dignity and privacy is maintained at all times. Report results verbally, and written relaying any changes to the qualified nurse.

• Assist patients who are undergoing their rehabilitation programme on how to conduct their own bowel care and the importance of retraining the neurogenic bowel. This will involve teaching and assisting the patient to enable them to carry out this task independently.

• To teach patients self-catheterisation using the correct, safe technique and assist patients until they are able to carry out the task independently by developing the patients knowledge and skills in this area. To demonstrate and teach the patient safe disposal of bodily waste, following correct procedures and Trust policy.

• To perform male and female catheterisations demonstrating developed dextrous skills on patients who require bladder management working within the centre’s local procedures, and
  protocols. To monitor and record in writing urinary output, reporting changes verbally to a qualified nurse. To apply urinary drainage systems, maintaining skin integrity and hygiene at all times.

• Provide range of movement to limbs as directed by the physiotherapist. Ensure proper positioning techniques are carried out using pillows and splints to prevent contractures occurring as directed by the therapists or qualified nursing staff.

• Under the direct/indirect supervision of the qualified nurse and therapy staff, provide assisted coughing on spinal injured patients in order to maintain a clear airway, and prevent secretions
  collecting.

• Assist patients to select meals. Have a working knowledge of available supplementary foods, which may be prescribed. Provide assistance and monitoring with eating and drinking as required, whilst still attempting to promote patients independence.

• To have an understanding of the safe use of wheelchairs, shower chairs and other equipment used on the unit. To have a safe competent working knowledge of therapy equipment based in the therapy departments/gym.

• Assist with chaperone duties and assist with providing rehabilitation during visits outside the MCSI, such as home visits as directed by the qualified nurse or therapist

• To be able to recognise when a patients condition deteriorates and have the ability to call for help and support the staff in the event of an emergency, and be competent in Basic life support by attending training in accordance with Trust training policy.

• Undertake patients observations, accurately record within the Trusts electronic system and escalate any abnormal results in a timely manner.

• Will be able to plan own work activities with supervision accessible as required.

• Checks mobility aids such as hoists and wheelchairs whilst ensuring they are safe for patients use and report any damage via appropriate trust policy and procedure.

• Can work independently with indirect supervision.

• Clinical procedures requiring frequent concentration i.e. catheterisation, bowel care management and patient observations.

• Frequent emotional or distressing circumstances with occasional highly distressing circumstances when supporting patients through life changing spinal cord injuries.

• Frequent exposure to handling of fouled linen, bodily fluids and occasional physical/verbally aggressive behaviour. 

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker Sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Job seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)