Nursing Assistant

Rosemary Ward is a 33 bedded MDT led inpatient unit at Newmarket Community Hospital providing a period of assessment for patients no longer needing an acute bed. We also provide end of life care for patients. It has the benefit of being a small friendly hospital, while being part of the larger West Suffolk Foundation Trust.

We pride ourselves on providing compassionate holistic care to all our patients, putting our patients needs and wishes at the heart of everything we do.

We provide in-patient facilities in a non-acute environment offering re-ablement and further assessment. Our aim is to promote and return our patients to independence after an acute illness, to ensure successful discharge with the appropriate support for them to continue to live as independently as they are able for as long as they are able.

No formal qualification is required but a genuine interest in caring and communication is essential and the ability to work a combination of long days, nights and weekends.

As a new member of the team you will receive a comprehensive induction supported by the Matron, Ward Sisters, as well as the rest of the team.

You will assist patients with all aspects of personal hygiene, toileting needs and general activities of daily living. You may be required to provide Stoma and Catheter care. You will be required to assist patients with mobility, using equipment to assist where required.

It may be necessary to assist patients with eating and drinking and documenting intake. It is an essential part of the role to measure patient observations accurately e.g. BP, Pulse, Temp, Resp Rate, O2 saturation levels, Weight, NEWS score. It may also be required to obtain patient samples and perform simple testing and report findings to senior staff.

You will need to adhere to principles of infection control, effective hand hygiene and be aware of potential for cross infection. Demonstrate basic cleaning and decontamination of communal equipment between patient use and/or storage.

It is essential to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, relatives and colleagues, referring to senior staff as necessary.

Work effectively as a member of the ward team, offering support to colleagues and requesting assistance as necessary.

Record care given accurately, legibly, completely and concisely.

Patient confidentiality must be maintained at all times.

Enter data into computerised systems as required (e.g. eCare).

BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Please see the full job description for more information
Job responsibilities

To assist in the delivery of a high standard of patient care in all activities of daily living, as directed in the individual plan of care needs, observing and reporting specific changes to senior staff and documenting care given.

Hygiene

Assist patients with the maintenance of their personal and oral hygiene, including: Washing and bathing

Mouth and dental care Hair-washing

Nail care Shaving

Dressing and undressing

Observe and report any changes/damage to patient’s skin to identify pressure ulcer risk.

Elimination

Assist patients to use toilet facilities.

Record and monitor output; identify and report any abnormalities in body waste. Undertake established stoma care and long term catheter care.

Mobility

Assist patients with mobility using manual handling risk assessment and safe manual handling.

Contribute to the movement and positioning of patients (using safe moving and handling techniques), to maximise their physical comfort and prevent the adverse effects of pressure.

Be aware of how equipment works and report any faults.

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