Band 2 Health Care Assistant Ophthalmology OPD

Job summary

The Ophthalmology Directorate at University Hospitals Birmingham is an innovative service working in collaboration with independent providers, commissioners and external agencies to deliver a robust strategy for the future to ensure sustainable access to eye services for the local population. The introduction of diagnostic hub and spoke models in 2021 in conjunction with telemedicine is part of an exciting and innovative approach that will transform the service for future generations.
The Ophthalmology Unit sees patients from a range of sub specialties such as corneal, cataracts, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, medical retina and uveitis. We offer nurse-led clinics for cataract, uveitis and medical retina 

Main duties, tasks & skills required

We are looking for a dynamic highly motivated Healthcare Assistant to join the forward thinking ophthalmology teams at Solihull and Good Hope Hospitals. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that the Trust provides high quality, patient focused care within the Ophthalmology department; providing advice and support to patients, families and health care professionals using best evidence based practice

Working collaboratively with other health care professionals, you will provide clinically excellent care and ensure that the Trust Values of, Collaborative, Honest, Accountable, Innovative and Respectful are upheld within the area. Skills in counselling, liaising and organizing will be essential.

We require an innovative flexible person with excellent communication skills. The ability to work autonomously, and as part of the multidisciplinary team, is essential, with the ability to motivate on all levels.

About us

We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.

Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:

Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;
Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.

UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.

Job description

1.Communication:

• Build partnerships and therapeutic relationships through safe, effective and non-discriminatory communication taking account of differences, capability and needs of individuals.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising there may be a need to utilise alternative methods of communication. Where there are barriers to understanding, as required arrange/ access to information, support and other services to aid effective communication.
• Use paper and electronic systems to retrieve and record patient information in line with Trust documentation standards and operational systems
• Apply the principles of information governance and patient confidentiality to all aspects of your role
• Obtain verbal consent from the patient before any clinical intervention is undertaken, where this is not given report this to a registered nurse prior to undertaking the intervention
• Answer the telephone / greet visitors promptly in a polite and professional manner and deal with enquiries as appropriate
• In instances when a patient/ visitor feels the need to raise concern or complain attempt to deal with this locally initially, but always inform a registered nurse.
• Observe and report to the registered nurse all changes in a patient's physical and psychological condition.
• Support families and carers following a patient bereavement or when bad news has been shared
• Accept constructive feedback
• Maintain professional boundaries and working relationships with patients and colleagues

2.Personal and people development:

• Take personal and collective responsibility to do the best you can, working towards your agreed individual and Trust-wide goals. You are expected to be held accountable and to challenge/ highlight to the line manager poor performance , attitude and behaviour
• Support and participate in induction, orientation of newly appointed staff and students to their area
• Recognise the limits of your competence and knowledge and reflect on these limits and seek advice on and refer to other health professionals were necessary.
• Recognise signs of stress in self and others and take appropriate action by informing Line Manager

3.Health, Safety and Security:

• Be aware of and comply with all Trust Policies and Procedures which govern Health and Safety and clinical practice.
• Actively promote the prevention of cross infection to and from all patients, visitors' staff and the environment, by encouraging and educating others in the use of standard precautions
• Handle, check and store patient's cash and valuables in accordance with Trust policy as required undertake equipment checks and update records and restock items as required
• In line with the Trust's Incident Reporting system, report any accidents, incidents, near misses and defects to a registered nurse. Remove any hazards which could potentially cause injury to staff, patients or visitors.
• Ensure that visitors to the department have authority to be there, carry out necessary checks on identity if needed
• Should a threatening situation occur, deal with the situation in accordance with the principles of conflict resolution. Take appropriate steps to protect the safety of self and others.
• Manage own time effectively, ensure good time keeping in relation to shift commencement and breaks
• Prepare bed spaces/ clinic and treatment rooms for new patients and orientate patients and their relatives and carers to the department and demonstrate bedside facilities

4.Innovation and Service Improvement:

• Liaise with Ward Housekeeper or stock controller and in their absence take steps necessary to maintain stock levels and clinical supplies in the area and take action to replenish when stocks/supplies are low.
• Be alert to any possible improvement to service and make suggestions as appropriate

5.Quality:

• Following direction and delegation from a registered nurse undertake aspects of care for a patient / group of patients
• Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care within your level of competence.
• Assist in audits and research as required

6.Respect, Equality and Diversity:

• Always recognise and respect people with regard to age, disability, gender, position, race, religion and sexual orientation through professionalism and courtesy, treating all patients, colleagues, visitors, carers, communities and others as they would wish to be treated.
• Chaperone and act as an advocate for patients during examination by clinical staff.
• Ensure privacy and dignity for all patients is maintained
• Always act in a non-discriminatory manner being mindful of the requirements of each individual patient.

7.Provision of Care to Meet Health and Wellbeing Needs:

• Recognise possible signs and symptoms of dementia and other cognitive issues of patients. Escalate any concerns to a registered Nurse.
• Demonstrate an understanding of your role and responsibilities relating to Safeguarding. Recognise the signs and symptoms that may be indicative of abuse and escalate any concerns to a registered Nurse.
• Respond swiftly to individuals, who require assistance, are in pain or distressed or using their call bell, where required report this to a registered nurse
• Recognise where a patient is becoming agitated, confused or is non-compliant with their care or treatment, support colleagues when dealing with such patients
• Obtain specimens ensuring accurate documentation and transportation to appropriate department. Undertake infection control screening as requested
• Following the completion of training undertake a range of physical / clinical observations appropriate to the area of practice. Achieve and maintain competence in using a range of equipment to undertake these, record the outcome and report and escalate exceptions to the registered nurse who delegated the tasks to you.
• Measuring and recording may include:

• Blood pressure, using electronic equipment
• Pulse rate and rhythm, manually and using electronic equipment
• Temperature
• Height and weight
• Fluid balance
• Stool charts
• Food diary
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Urine testing / Urinalysis
• Peak flow
• Respiratory rate
• Oxygen saturations

• Obtain prompt assistance during an emergency as requested or using the agreed practice, e.g., emergency call bell.
• Daily assist and support patients of all genders when mobilising, repositioning in bed or chair whilst promoting patient independence using aids as appropriate
• Recognise and understand the importance of adequate nutrition and hydration of the patients by serving food and drinks and assisting patients with feeding and drinking when necessary
• Recognise where a patient may display problems with swallowing and require further assessment and report this to a registered nurse.
• Demonstrate awareness of wound / skin changes associated with damage caused by incontinence and pressure / friction

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

N/A 

Desirable

* Functional skills Level 2 English Language and Maths Qualification or GCSE Grade C or above in Maths and English Language

* Care Certificate or evidence or Training & Development associated with Health Care Support Worker role

* Level 2/3 NVQ/ Diploma in Health

Experience

Essential

* Experience of working / participating as part of a team.

* Evidence of ability to work using own initiative and under minimal supervision

* Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the role and tasks involved

* Can articulate the reasons for training/ standards of practice and behaviour and how these may be demonstrated / relate to patient care and safety

Desirable

* Minimum of 6 months experience in a care environment in the last 12 months 

Additional Criteria

Essential

* Good standard of spoken and written English

* Basic computer skills

* Good communication skills -- written and oral

* Good time keeping

* Ability to work with competing priorities

* Flexible approach to shift patterns and place of work this may include working in different practice settings in different locations dependent upon service need

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

For help with your application, contact: 

Thersha Maharaj 

thersha.maharaj@uhb.nhs.uk 

01214245015