Healthcare Assistant - Blackpool, United Kingdom - Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Description

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated band 3 HCA to join the highly skilled/ dedicated ophthalmic surgical team. This will be a part time vacancy working in The Ophthalmic Surgical Unit. Working hours include Monday- Sunday pm over a 4- 5 day period covering on calls.

The Ophthalmic Surgical unit provides sight saving treatment for people across Lancashire/ Cumbria and beyond using state of the art facilities designed with high quality patient focused care at the forefront.

The Ophthalmic surgical unit is a specialised department which integrates The Medical Retina Unit, macular service, two theatres a recovery area and an ophthalmic day surgery ward offering a number of clinical settings within the unit. The department is considered one of Blackpool Victoria Hospitals greatest assets treating up to 11,000 patients annually.

This role is predominately working in a theatre/ clean room setting, assisting with Ophthalmic procedures.

Main duties of the job

To assist all members of the multi-disciplinary team to meet individual patient needs and maintain a healthy patient environment within the Ophthalmic Surgical Unit. Participate fully in the delivery of planned care, applying and evaluating advanced clinical skills as delegated by a registered nurse. Preparing a patient for theatre, initiating the WHO process and administering anaesthetic eye drops prior to the procedure. To work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of the patients and their families.

As an integral member of the team you would be involved in procedures such as:

Due to the high number of candidates applying for previous vacancies please apply as soon as possible as the post may close early if enough suitable candidates apply.

About us

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.

As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents - it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live . In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.

Job responsibilities

Please ensure that you have read the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application.

1. Communication and relationship skills

Initiate WHO process prior to ophthalmic procedures, liaise with engineers/ manufactures for surgical instruments.

Ability to communicate with patients of varying understanding, and members of the MDT including pharmacy.

Communication on a daily basis verbally, through written documentation in clinical records or to clinical staff, through email and also on the telephone.

Receiving handover from registered nurse and relaying this information through the WHO process to the injector.

Take handover from surgeon and scrub nurse, safely returning the patient to the ward area and relaying post-operative plan of care to registered nurse.

Collecting patient from the ophthalmic ward ahead of their procedure under local anaesthetic. Identifying the required appropriate information to cascade to the team before surgery.

Initiate the WHO process prior to administering topical anaesthetic drops to the eye.

2. Knowledge, training and experience

Specialist training in ophthalmic procedures/ treatments working under HCA competency package to administer medication topically.

Attending required course to develop clinical skills ensuring competency.

3. Analytical and Judgemental skills

Assessment of the patients eye prior to drop instillation, escalating possible infection, Identify contraindication prior to drop instillation.

Assess patients suitability for local anaesthetic or positioning during theatre escalating to surgeon and registered nurse formulating a plan of care.

Offer advice to reassure/ educate patients.

Admit and discharge patients attending for fundas fluorescein angiogram.

Admitting and discharging theatre patients following their procedure, providing full comprehensive guidance to the patients for their post-operative care.

4. Planning and Organisational skills

Arranging repairs/ setting up theatre baskets/ ordering essential stock before supplies run low, reducing the risk of cancellations.

Manage own time effectively when on task ensuring clinics run smoothly without delay.

Covering on call rota, ensuring all equipment/ medication that could potentially be required is available to support the scrub nurse.

Prepare theatre before, during and following cases. Complying with infection control policies and cleaning/ storing equipment as per manufacturers guidance.

5. Physical skills

Physical skills obtained through practice narrow margin for error venepuncture

Highly developed physical skills, accuracy important; manipulation of fine tools, materials

Hand eye coordination required when administering eye drops

Restraint of patients/clients

6. Responsibilities for patient/client care

Identifying patients needs on admission and escalating to the theatre team, initiating handover to ward nurse, theatre team and intravitreal injector prior to ophthalmic treatments.

Ensuring no contra-indications prior to topical administration of proxymetacaine anaesthetic drops

Assist doctor and nurse injector during intravitreal injection within a clean room environment.

Ensuring sterility is maintained throughout and supporting patients.

7. Responsibilities for policy and service development implementation

Taking an active role in unit meeting/ grand round sessions. Openly discussing issues on the unit and assisting with the problem solving process, to improve the service we deliver.

Adhering to trust policy and escalate concerns regarding non-compliance.

8. Responsibilities for financial and physical resources

Ordering of specialist stock within the department liaising with companies to source alternate products when supply issues arise and escalate to unit manager/ clinical lead.

Ordering specialist lenses and surgical equipment, using knowledge and contacts to support the surgeons with their requirements.

Liaise with manufacturer to arrange repairs of surgical instruments, ensuring we have safe supplies to maintain activity and patient safety.

Order theatre supplies/ essential equipment used throughout the unit. Identifying resources required in a timely manner and escalating to unit manager concerns to avoid patient harm/ risk.

9. Responsibilities for human resources

Involved in staff training when they initially start on the unit, supported by a registered nurse.

10. Responsibilities for information resources

Ordering patient documentation including patient information leaflets and trust pathways.

Ensuring patient information leaflets are ratified and approved for use in the trust, making sure they action arising issues in a timely manner to stop the service provide to patients from being interrupted.

Ensure clear documentation is inputted into patient record, that is legible and concise.

11. Responsibilities for research and development

Participate in audit within the department, including gathering information and submitting information.

12. Freedom to Act

Accountable for own actions, must work within clinical capability and identify gaps in training to maintain patient safety.

Working independently administering topical anaesthetic.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

Desirable

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Desirable

SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES

Essential

Desirable