10. Key Result Areas

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. / DEPARTMENT / Orkney Macmillan House
2. / SERVICE DIRECTORATE / Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals
3. / JOB TITLE / Auxiliary Nurse
4. / GRADE / Band 2
5. / LOCATION / Balfour Hospital
6. / REPORTING TO / Macmillan Senior Charge Nurse

7. JOB PURPOSE

·  The post holder will work as part of the multi-disciplinary team in Orkney Macmillan House.
·  The post holder will carry out assigned tasks, including direct patient care in support of and supervised by a registered nurse.
·  Additionally, the post holder will participate and give support in the organisation of the clinical activities of the Macmillan services.
·  The post holder will work in partnership with the multidisciplinary team to deliver to all patients, their relatives and carers a high standard of care which is research based and in accordance with the Mandatory Induction Standards for Health Care Support Workers as well as local and national health and safety legislation.
8. DIMENSIONS (Job Facts and Figures)
NHS Orkney Board employs approximately 600 staff
·  The post-holder is based in a 4 bedded cancer and palliative care unit with out-patient provision that provides a cancer and palliative care service to the population of Orkney. The unit is geographically remote from the cancer centre has medical support and is supported by video conference links with Grampian services. There is 24 hour access and care.
·  The post holder will also be expected to work in other clinical areas in NHS Orkney, as service demands indicates and or requested by the Senior Charge Nurse / Senior Management Team.
9. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION

10. KEY RESULT AREAS

CLINICAL
·  Assist patients with personal hygiene and dressing including oral care and dealing with body fluids
·  Assist patients with eating and drinking , being aware of their dietary needs
·  Assist in patients comfort and mobility in accordance with NHS Moving and Handling policy Assist with the reception, admission and discharge of patients, and transfers to other wards.
·  Observe patients and report to registered staff on all aspects of care, including the recording of vital signs, urinalysis, blood sugar, fluid balance, nutrition, bowel charts, and care of urinary catheters and colostomies.
·  Support and be with confused, agitated or dying patients with or without relatives present for long periods of time.
·  Communicates to an optimum level to empathetically and sensitively support patients, families, carers and the multidisciplinary team with support from registered staff.
·  Assist with last offices, and transfer to mortuary as required.
·  Provide, with supervision and collaboration, a safe working environment for all patients, staff, visitors and others on-site in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
·  Participate in NHS Orkney’s staff appraisal policy
·  Assist with nursing care of patients following standing orders or specific direction
·  Participate in the implementation of national and local clinical guidelines and best practice initiatives
·  Be prepared to work in other areas in the Balfour Hospital, as the need arises.
·  Participate in quality assurance and audit activity

ORGANISATIONAL

·  Fulfil delegated link nurse roles e.g. nutrition champion
·  Practices and promotes confidentiality at all times in accordance with the Code of Confidentiality and Data Protection Act 1984.
·  Communicates with all colleagues in a professional manner.
·  Demonstrates knowledge and proficiency in adhering to NHS Orkney/local policies and procedures.
·  Ensures written communications are accurate, appropriate and neatly recorded, adhering to NHS Orkney/local policies at all times.
·  Demonstrates ability to address issues arising in a professional and discreet manner whilst acknowledging own limitations.
·  With support from Registered Nurse prioritise, organises and takes responsibility for own workload
·  Provides support to others within the team.
·  Demonstrates an understanding of and adherence to local and National Health and Safety policies and procedures
·  Attend and participate in ward meetings
·  Be familiar with emergency evacuation and fire procedures
·  Ensure, with appropriate supervision that equipment is used safely, according to procedures, and when necessary is maintained and monitored.
·  Assist with basic administration / clerical tasks at ward level, answering telephone taking and relying of messages

MANAGERIAL

·  Actively participate in the maintenance and ordering of ward stores.
·  Demonstrates an awareness of available resources, how they should be most effectively used, and economy in the use of supplies and an awareness of stock control systems.
·  Actively participates in the care and maintenance of ward stock/equipment.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

·  Assess, in conjunction with line manager, educational needs through Personal Development Plan and appraisals
·  Take responsibility for attending mandatory/statutory education and training sessions.
·  Actively Acts as a positive role model for all disciplines of staff.
·  Maintains responsibility for own personal development.
·  Participates in the orientation of new staff.

SERVICE DELIVERY

·  Actively contributes to the provision of continuity of care for all patients in the service
·  Supports the Senior Charge Nurse in contributing toward the future development of the service
·  Demonstrates positive attitude to suggested changes in practice through the introduction of evidence based care

11a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

·  The Post Holder will be familiar with and use and the following:
vital signs monitoring equipment
A variety of clinical equipment (including moving and handling / pressure relieving equipment) (It is expected that staff become proficient in over 30 different pieces of clinical equipment).
·  The post-holder is also required to participate in clinical record keeping (paper based or electronic) with supervision.
11b. SYSTEMS
·  Local and national systems to record patient and staff information within the boundaries of local and national policies and legislation e.g. epayroll, TRAKCARE, RIM, outlook
·  The post holder is required to be computer literate, be able to access current research and
development and be competent in the skills required within the service area E.g. intra/internet skills.
·  The post holder is required to report and investigate any incidents according to the Datix Reporting System

12. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

·  This Job Description will be used as a basis for individual performance review between the post holder and the manager. Regular 1:1 meetings will ensure a regular review of work.
·  The Job Description covers only the key result areas and, as such, does not intend to provide a comprehensive list of objectives. Specific objectives will be reviewed each year and may develop to meet the changing needs of the service. The post holder will need to take due account, in the way they achieve the key result areas, of Board policies and procedures.
·  During / prior to employment the post holder will be required to demonstrate the following:
·  Extensive knowledge and participation of NHS Orkney policies and procedures relevant to the area.
·  Evidence of well established developed written and verbal communication skills
·  Commitment to lifelong learning and personal development plan
·  It is desirable that the nurse at this level should also have skills and knowledge that at all times employees carry out their duties in accordance with the Board’s Equal Opportunities Policy, respecting the differing backgrounds of colleagues and clients.
13. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
·  The post-holder will be expected to work with minimal supervision during the carrying out of the above detailed tasks.
·  The post holder will be expected to liaise closely with the registered nurse at all times during their shifts.
·  The post holder will be required to use their own initiative and be able to make sound and rational decisions and remain focused and directed throughout the process.

14. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

·  The most challenging part of this job will be constant exposure to emotional and psychological distress associated with palliative and terminal care.
·  Although the post holder will be given opportunities for personal support and supervision, inevitably this role will present frequent exposure to highly emotional or highly distressing circumstances.
·  The post holder will communicate effectively and professionally at all times.
·  Promoting a happy and safe work environment to minimise stress levels.
·  The post holder should have the ability to adapt to a variety of situations that they will be presented with as the patients conditions can change rapidly. The ability to constantly change priorities as the demands of the workload dictates.
15. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
·  The main focus of communication for the post holder is to be the central point of contact and knowledge for all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure that the optimum care is delivered to the patient. The post holder must therefore possess effective interpersonal skills and participate in multi- disciplinary working.
Internal
·  Post holder is required to communicate verbally and in writing with Senior Charge Nurse, patients, carers, members of the multi-disciplinary team: in particular the Intermediate Care Team, Community Nursing team, all Allied Health Professionals.

External

·  Post holder is required to communicate verbally with relatives/visitors. Also other hospitals and external organisations in particular Oncology Services and Palliative Care specialist nurses ARI, Roxburgh House, Grampian when taking telephone calls/messages.
·  The post holder will play a supportive role in dealing with distressed, upset, angry or anxious patients, carers, relatives and staff. The role of the auxiliary nurse is to use communication skills to de-escalate as many situations as possible but to then ensure the safety of the post holder and any other patients and staff by managing the situation appropriately. This can be very demanding both emotionally and physically
16. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
·  A portion of the job entails physical work and post holder would require moving and handling skills, which should be kept up to date yearly or more frequently if required.
·  At times the post holder would be required to assist less mobile patients moving from one area to another.
·  Can work within confined spaces as other medical equipment maybe required for monitoring and supporting the patient’s condition.
·  The post holder will be required to be able to initiate and maintain appropriate emergency care.
·  Ensuring that BLS training is updated at least yearly.
·  The post holder will be able to adapt to the shift pattern required and may be required to work a variety of shifts e.g. 12 hour shifts, day/night rotation.
·  The post holder frequently comes into contact with and is exposed to bodily fluids and other clinical waste
Emotional demands ;
·  The post holder will be required to deal effectively with limited resources, whilst also being required to prioritise own workload and adapt flexibly to competing demands from various people. At times there are occasions when violent/aggressive incidents may occur.
·  Regular sustained effort or sudden intense effort in the management of violent incidents for short or long periods of time may be required.
18. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
A separate job description will need to be signed off by each jobholder to whom the job description applies.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Head of Department Signature: / Date:
Date:

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: / Band 2 Nursing Auxiliary
Department: / Macmillan
Location: / Balfour Hospital
FACTOR / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS
TRAINING
RESEARCH
PUBLICATIONS / Basic life Support
SVQ 2 in health and social care or demonstrate a willingness to work towards that / Cleanliness Champion or equivalent
SVQ3 in health and social care
EXPERIENCE / Experience working in Health and Social Care
Evidence of an ability to manage time effectively
The post holder will be expected to attend NHS Orkney statutory training and education.
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to cope with emotional or distressing circumstances
Excellent communication skills
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS / Good standard of education
Awareness of importance of confidentiality
Ability to work in situations where there is frequent exposure to highly emotional or highly distressing circumstances
Can demonstrate IT literacy
Able to prioritise workload
Ability to use own initiative in emergency situations
Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships and excellent communication with colleagues, patients and staff from other agencies / Communication or counselling qualification

Reviewed by SCN Linda Merriman January 2018