University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Introducing our new Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) and Acute Assessment Unit (AAU).
We are thrilled to announce the opening our new purpose built SDEC unit in April 2025, alongside the rebranding of our Emergency Floor as an AAU.
These units are designed to enhance patient care and streamline emergency services. Their function is to provide quick, efficient and effective care to patients in urgent need of medical attention.
Same Day Emergency Care: Our SDEC allows patients to be assessed, diagnosed and treated all within the same day, minimizing hospital admissions and ensuring fast, high quality care.
Acute Assessment Unit: currently known as the Emergency Floor, the AAU offers an immediate and thorough evaluation of acutely ill patients, allowing us to quickly identify needs and create an individual plan of care.
Why choose to join our team?
Are you passionate about delivering high quality care? We are looking for dedicated people to be a part of our innovative and dynamic team that redefines acute patient care.
As a member of the SDEC/AAU team, you'll have the opportunity to rotate between both units providing essential care to patients. Join us and become part of progressive units designed to provide SDEC, swift assessments and tailored treatment plans for acutely ill patients.
Ready to make a difference?
If you are ready to help us bring compassionate, efficient care to those who need it most, and be part of the future of healthcare, apply today to join our family.
Main duties of the job
The main duties of a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) in SDEC and AAU involve providing direct patient support, assisting with clinical tasks, and supporting the healthcare team to ensure smooth patient flow. HCSW's in these units play a vital role in patient comfort, assessment preparation and performing clinical tasks that their competence and training allows, under the supervision of the registered nursing team.
Job responsibilities
Main duties of a HCSW in SDEC/AAU
Patient admission and initial observation
1. Welcome patients to the unit, assisting with admission procedures and preparing them for initial assessment.
2. Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate, as instructed by the nursing team.
3. Measure and record other observations, such as height, weight and oxygen saturation, and report any abnormalities to the nursing or medical staff.
Assisting with Patient Care
1. Provide personal care for patients, including assistance with toileting, bathing, dressing and feeding as required.
2. Help with patient mobility, such as repositioning patients in bed, assisting them to sit or stand, and ensuring they are comfortable.
3. Monitor patients' wellbeing, looking out for any signs of distress or discomfort and promptly reporting these to the nursing team.
4. Ensure that patients are comfortable, providing blankets etc, and any other item they may need.
5. Provide reassurance and support to patients who may be anxious or in discomfort.
6. Support patients' nutritional needs by offering drinks or snacks where appropriate and assisting with meals.
Supporting Clinical Procedures
1. Assist nurses and doctors (and undertake if competent) with clinical tasks such as venepuncture, cannulation, simple wound dressings.
2. Clean and maintain equipment after use, ensuring the units environments are clean, organised and fully stocked.
Documentation and Communication
1. Accurately document patient observations, personal care, and any other care related information provided.
2. Report any concerns, changes in a patients' condition, or unusual findings to the nursing team promptly.
3. Communicate effectively with the MDT, ensuring information about patient needs is shared accurately and in confidence.
4. Assist with the discharge process by helping patients gather their belongings and assists with transportation needs if required.
5. Escort or transfer patients to other wards or departments when required.
Person Specification
Experience/Qualifications
* Experience of working in a care support role
* Care certificate
* Knowledge of the role
* Awareness of NHS policies
* Experience of working in an acute NHS trust
* Experience of working in an AAU/Emergency Department/SDEC
Skills
* Ability to work under pressure
* Able to prioritise workload
* Awareness of the Trusts applications
* Experience in utilising patient administration systems (PAS)
* Training in Careflow
* Able to accurately undertake and record observations
People Management and Development
* Able to share knowledge
* Supportive to members of the MDT
* Compassionate and empathetic
* Evidence of having championed diversity
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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.
Employer name
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
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