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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As an important member of the team, the post holder will provide support to nursing, midwifery and medical staff in the direct provision of patient care.

To provide a range of healthcare and non-nursing duties, ensuring an efficient and effective service to the ward/department at all times.

To enable patients to maintain their personal hygiene and appearance by:-

• Assisting patients with bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, bed making etc.
• Enabling/facilitating patients to meet their own hygiene needs.

Contribute to the movement and comfort of patients by :- 

• Encouraging and assisting patients' mobility.
• Assisting with the movement of patients, for which instruction has been given, taking into consideration patient comfort and safety.
• Using equipment, for which instruction has been given, to mobilise/move patients.
• Assisting patients to achieve physical comfort.
• Recognising the risks to patients who are not able to change their own position.
• Identifying and reporting possible problems and changes in a patient’s condition.

Enable patients to eat and drink by :-

• Assisting in menu selection, liaising with trained staff regarding special diets, and being sensitive to cultural requirements.
• Helping patients who require assistance, to eat and drink.
• Serving patients meals and beverages, removing all dirty utensils from patient areas.

Contribute to the management of patient continence by:-

• Encouraging patients to maintain continence.
• Supporting patients in the management of continence.
• Emptying catheter and stoma bags as directed.

Receive, transmit, store and receive information relating to the delivery of a care service by:-

• Keeping the team leader informed of all changes in a patient's condition.
• Ensuring that all relevant paperwork is ready prior to patient discharge.
• Utilising the EPIC system as appropriate.
• Answering the department telephone and record/deliver messages accurately.
• Providing clerical support where required.

Ensure that ward stores/stock supply is maintained by:-

• Assisting with the ordering of supplies and recording the receipt of stock.
• Monitoring the efficient storage of supplies and the maintenance of appropriate stock levels.

Contribute to the health, safety and security of patients and their environment by:-

• Ensuring the tidiness and cleanliness of patient bed areas and associated equipment.   
• Stripping, cleaning and making beds/couches/trolleys, after a patient's discharge.
• Dealing with the disposal of soiled linen and refuse as per hospital policy.        
• Following hospital policies with regard to the control of infection.
• Monitoring and checking all ward equipment and ensuring that the appropriate requisition for any repairs [to Estates Office] are completed, and that the team leader is informed.
• Ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of the patient during escort duties; such as transferring from one area to another; or when undertaking a messenger service to other parts of the Trust.
• Assisting the rehabilitation of patients, utilising physical and psychological stimulus and appropriate resources.

Assist in maintaining the high standards of the department by:- 

• Contributing towards individual and team objectives.
• Carrying out other duties required by the Unit Manager commensurate with the grade.