Job summary
TB Clinical Support Worker - Band 3
Contract : Permanent - Full time 37 hours per week
North Central London TB Network is a well established service providing world class care to patients and their carers across the five north central London boroughs. We are a nationally recognised, innovative team of nurse specialists, outreach staff and administrators who work closely with the respiratory and infectious diseases teams at the Whittington, North Middlesex, Royal Free and University College London, hospitals. We are based in the outpatient setting at the North Middlesex, Royal Free and Whittington Hospital sites. This post is an exciting opportunity to work as a TB Clinical Support Worker alongside the wider TB multi-disciplinary team. You will be employed by Whittington Health but will work across hospital sites. You will be a motivated , innovative individual who works efficiently and enjoys working with a diverse patient group. You will be comfortable working across hospital sites in order to meet service needs and as part of your training and development. You will be well supported by the clinical a team and the wider MDT. You will receive a comprehensive induction and your training and development needs will be discussed and supported where appropriate.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as part of the multi-disciplinary North Central London (NCL) TB team to provide a flexible and responsive high quality TB service to ensure effective patient management and protection of public health.
The post holder will work under the supervision of the TB Nurse Specialists. A key function of the role will be to support clinic activities and undertake assigned tasks in direct and indirect patient care as designated by the clinical team.
The post holder will be required to carry out some administrative and housekeeping duties.
The post holder will primarily be based at the Royal Free site but may be required to undertake other assigned tasks to patients within the network as designated by the clinical team in order to provide an effective and responsive service.
About us
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
Carry out nursing care under the direction of the TB Nurse Specialists.
Provide clinic support, ensuring the patient pathway during their outpatient appointment in Doctor and Nurse led clinic is a positive experience. This will involve being welcoming, maintaining a safe, comfortable environment, keeping patients informed on waiting times, liaising with pharmacy and other hospital departments, escorting patients, and undertaking any other activity commensurate with the band of the role as requested by the clinical team.
Ensure clinic rooms are adequately always stocked and prepared for clinic.
Effectively communicate with all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Take observations such as vital signs, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and oxygen saturation. Weigh patients. Document findings and report any abnormalities to the nursing team.
Undertake ECGs and Spirometry as directed by the clinical team.
Sign post patients to other services as required - Smoking Cessation
Undertake routine phlebotomy including IGRA testing as requested by the clinical team.
Maintain the comfort and dignity of all patients.
Collecting and labelling of specimens e.g. urine, sputum
Undertake urinalysis and blood glucose testing as directed by nursing team.
Be aware of the needs of patients and carers.
Follow infection control procedures and take steps to avoid cross infection.
Report immediately any untoward incidents and any other relevant information to the TB Nursing team.
Report any change in social/lifestyle circumstances i.e. increased alcohol intake, which may affect ability to adhere to TB treatment.
Ensure a courteous and helpful approach to patients and their relatives/carers in the community, adopting a sensitive approach whilst in patients home environment.
Work with a difficult and sometimes challenging client group.
Be aware of own limitations and make these known if asked to perform beyond own sphere of competence.
Participate in or contribute to other activities such as observing clinic Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), community DOT/Phlebotomy, escorting patients to appointments, locating and encouraging patients to return to service, gathering information, mantoux readings, basic administrative tasks, or any other activity requested by the clinical team and deemed within the expectations of the role.
Check resuscitation equipment daily in line with Trust policy and taking appropriate action where necessary.
Check and record the temperature of the drugs fridge daily, informing the nursing team of unsafe readings or concerns.
Monitor and maintain stock levels of supplies, including timely ordering.
Undertake basic reception and administrative duties in the absence of TB administration team.
Promoting health and preventing ill health
Assist in the delivery of public TB awareness campaigns.
Challenge prejudice and stigma associated with TB.
Work within the Safety at Work Act. Ensure that professional duties are undertaken in such a manner that protects patients, visitors, and colleagues from hazards (which involves reporting such hazards should they arise).
To provide TB information to patients, carers, and relatives on a one-to-one basis.
Partnership working
Attend and contribute to meetings, forums, and case conferences, as appropriate, i.e. case review and team meetings.
Be flexible in the delivery of the role across the network.
Undertake other TB service roles that fall within the skills and competence.
Professional practice
The post holder will identify their own training needs with their line manager through reflection and appraisal.
Maintain and update personal knowledge of TB and associated health issues.
Audit
Ensure timely and accurate data collection as required.
Maintain patient records, both written and electronic.
Participate in TB audit alongside the clinical team.
Participate in cohort review.
Management of resources
Be responsible for the safekeeping and use of equipment.
Assist with the distribution of patient information.
Research and Development
Participates in patient experience surveys.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE levels A to C in English and Maths or equivalent
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- Evidence of further study in a relevant area
Whittington Health Core Values
Essential
- Demonstrates ability to meet core values: Innovation, compassion, accountability, respect, excellence
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Good standard of literacy - able to write clear reports
- Basic I.T skills, including word processing and use of internet.
- Good communication skills.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Enthusiastic and well motivated
- Ability to use initiative to recognise own limitations.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable voluntary/work experience in a health or social care environment
- Experience of face-to-face contact with the public
- Experience of working in a team
- Ability to manage own time and demonstrate high quality organisational skills
Desirable
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Personable, approachable, resourceful
- Team-player
Other
Essential
- Comfortable travelling on public transport.
- Ability to manage moderate to high level of physical effort daily.
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 details
Employer name
Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
Address
Whittington Hospital
Magdala Avenue
London
N19 5NF