Healthcare Assistant

Once trained and assessed as competent, the post-holder will undertake a range of clinical activities under the indirect supervision of registered nursing colleagues. These include: running Dermatology Minor Surgical Procedure lists, as lone assistant to the operating surgeon; dressing of surgical and non-surgical wounds; weekly forward-planning of operation lists; supporting Dermatology Outpatient clinic lists; monitoring and maintaining general and specialist stock levels.

The clinical work of the post-holder will be supported within a framework of professional guidelines. The post-holder will be required to provide high quality clinical /nursing care to patients as identified by senior staff, they are also needed to assess individual patient care needs and concerns, and to discuss these with medical or registered nurse colleagues. Maintain accurate records of the patient’s care in line with Trust, professional and departmental guidelines.

A degree of initiative will be required from the post-holder. However, the post-holder will report to and will be supported by registered nurse colleagues who remain accountable for patient care.

• The post-holder will share with registered nurse colleagues responsibility for the security of specialist equipment in the department, such as Lap tops, cameras, liquid nitrogen dispenser
• The post-holder will share with registered nurse colleagues responsibility for ordering routine and specialist consumable stock to appropriate levels
• The post-holder will be responsible for monitoring and restocking levels of dressings, skincare samples etc
• The post-holder will contribute to departmental Clinical Governance Meetings
• The post-holder will be responsible for maintaining and submitting departmental records of standards of cleaning, including Legionella/Pseudomonas preventive flushing
• The post-holder will help maintain a clean, safe environment, taking responsibility for tidying and cleaning at the start and end of clinics.
• The post-holder will be required to manage smooth running of Dermatology Minor Surgical Procedure lists
• The post-holder will be required to support medical and nursing colleagues in smooth running of Dermatology Outpatient lists

The Dermatology department is based at Arndale House. We have a dedicated team of Doctors and Nurses that all work closely together.

This is a small but friendly team, that supports each other. There are many opportunities to develop within the department.

The department has a light and airy feel to it, with a staff room that the team can enjoy having lunch together. we also have car spaces allocated.

The post-holder will have daily contact with many outpatients for whom they have a duty of care.

The post-holder will, once trained and assessed as competent, assist an operating surgeon (Dermatologist or GP with Special Interest in Dermatology) in Dermatology Minor Surgical Procedures.

Greeting patient (and companion), making introductions and assisting patient as needed

Ensuring procedures adhere to BSDS Surgical Safety Checklist (based on WHO Surgical Checklist)

Giving physical and psychological support to the patient throughout the appointment

The post-holder will, once trained and assessed as competent, be required at times to take down, clean and redress surgical and non-surgical wounds, including leg ulcer dressing, identifying the appropriate dressing and following aseptic wound dressing assessment.

The post-holder will be required to measure patients’ observations, including weight, pulse, respirations, Blood glucose monitoring and blood pressure and to carry out pregnancy and other routine urine tests.

The post holder will be required to communicate with individual and groups of outpatients to advise them of matters arising during a clinic session, for example, waiting times.

Once trained the post holder will be required to demonstrate competence in patient care specific to minor surgery:

Haemostasis

Surgical level hand hygiene

Aseptic non-touch technique

Aseptic dressing technique

Sharps safety