Role Profile - Healthcare Assistant
Reports to:
Deputy Sister / Day Services Sister
Accountable to:
Sister / Day Services Sister
Main Purpose of Post

To provide the highest standard of care for patients, their relatives, carers and friends taking
into account diversity and culture, treating each person as an individual.

To work as a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) under the supervision of the
Registered Nurse (RN).

To provide support to the RN to allow them to maximise their expertise.

Promote and support the individual’s rights and choice within the care environment.
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Clinical Responsibilities
1.1
Be aware of the Positive Patient Identity policy and implement this in practice.
1.2
Assist the RN in welcoming and orientating patient’s relatives and visitors to the clinical area.
1.3
Carry out tasks in delivering and supporting direct patient care under the supervision of the
RN.
1.4
Assist the team in maintaining a safe and comfortable ward environment.
1.5
Be fully aware of infection control requirements and correct hand washing techniques.
1.6
Promote independence of the patient where possible.
1.7
To assist patients in meeting their hygiene needs assuring privacy and dignity at all times.
1.8
To assist the RN in providing pressure area care as required.
1.9
Assist patients with mobility problems as requested by the Physiotherapist, Occupational
Therapist or RN.
1.10 Contribute to the care of patients with stomas and urinary catheters.
1.11 Contribute to patient well-being through being present, simple massage, sensitive
communication and referral to therapists agreed by the RN.
1.12 Maximise patient comfort by careful positioning and reflecting the Hospice Safer Handling
and Moving policy.
1.13 To assist patients in meal choice liaising with RN’s to ensure appropriate dietary
requirements are met.
1.14 To support delivery of meal to the patient ensuring the meal is of the correct temperature and
it is suitably presented and that the patient is offered the opportunity to wash their hands
prior to their meal.
1.15 Support patients with feeding difficulties in maintaining adequate and appropriate dietary
intake and participate in feeding those who need assistance.
1.16 To escort patients who require social support to external appointments eg OPA appointments
or home visits, as requested by the RN. See Transport policy (escort section).
1.17 Under the supervision of the RN, measure and record temperature, pulse, respiratory rate,
blood pressure and blood glucose level of non-acute patients following completion of training
and competency assessment.
1.18 Report all changes noted in a patient’s condition to the RN.
1.19 Record clinical information, when deemed competent, on the patient’s record (paper/
electronic).
1.20 Obtain urine samples, test and document the results as requested by the RN, reporting any
irregularities.
1.21 Assist in obtaining and appropriately labelling specimens under the direction of the RN.
1.22 Undertake phlebotomy training and competencies according to the needs of the service.
1.23 Support patients/carers in completing surveys of their experience.
1.24 Contribute to the care of patients undergoing blood transfusions following completion of
competencies.
1.25 Assist with the administration of specific medicines as outlined in the HCA competency
framework.
1.26 To help with the cleaning and maintenance of equipment, reporting any damaged or faulty
equipment to the nurse in charge of the clinical area.
1.27 Demonstrate awareness of emergency procedures as appropriate eg fire, security,
cardiac/respiratory arrest.
1.28 To complete and undertake all core tasks as outlined in the HCA competency framework and
in conjunction with line manager extend practice as requested in line with the additional
competencies.
Area Specific Requirements:
In-Patient Unit
1.29 To prepare beds for admission ensuring the correct equipment requested by the RN is in
place.
1.30 Ensure the bed area is appropriately cleared on patient discharge or death and equipment is
cleaned as per policy
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1.31 To assist the RN in the care of deceased patients.
Day Hospice
1.32 To prepare the Day Hospice to receive patients and ensure areas are tidied after each day to
allow cleaning staff to complete their duties.
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Communication Responsibilities
2.1
Support patients, families and carers through good communication and acknowledgement of
the individual’s personal beliefs and identity.
2.2
Facilitate patients to communicate with the use of any aids required.
2.3
Demonstrate empathy and compassion when dealing with bereaved relatives.
2.4
To ensure that all telephone enquiries are dealt with courteously and efficiently referring to
the appropriate team members as required.
2.5
Report all conversations to the RN and ensure any entries made in the MDT notes are
countersigned.
2.6
Maintain confidentiality of information at all times.
2.7
Communicate and direct volunteers within their roles.
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Non- Clinical Responsibilities
3.1
To support the RN in orientating new staff members and students to the clinical environment.
3.2
Support nursing students on placement at St Gemma’s.
3.3
Assist in audit work being undertaken to ensure service delivery improvement.
3.4
Contribute to clinical groups to ensure care is evidence based.
3.5
Attend and contribute to meetings.
3.6
To participate in stocking up/ monitoring of supplies.
3.7
Contribute to keeping all areas of the clinical environment tidy and free from risk.
3.8
Assist with the safe-keeping of property and valuables, completing the relevant forms and
following the policy.
3.9
Participate in the Hospice performance review process identifying own developmental needs
and identify how these might be met.
3.10 Attend and participate in group clinical supervision.
3.11 Work closely with the RN’s and Senior Nurses in completing and evaluating the competency
framework.
3.12 Support team members through effective communication.
3.13 To be prepared to undertake involvement in group work on health issues and health
promotion.
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General Duties and Responsibilities
All St Gemma’s employees are required to abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act,
attend annual mandatory training sessions and ensure that they comply with Hospice policies
and procedures at all times.
Employees must demonstrate commitment to their own personal development and are
required to make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice
locally and nationally.
Strict confidentiality applying to all aspects of Hospice business must be observed at all
times.
This Role Profile is not exhaustive. It will be subject to periodic review and may be
amended following discussion between the post holder and employer.
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