Guys and St Thomas is among the UKs busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.

Guys is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Marys Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Childrens Hospital.

Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions. 

Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.

In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.

We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of Kings Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with Kings College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities and a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre.

Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of good. Our adult community services achieved a rating of outstanding.

The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.

We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.

Job overview

Experienced Senior Nursing Assistant – for Haemodialysis Service Required For Camberwell Satellite Dialysis Unit 

We are a friendly, diverse and dynamic team in which to be part of, and we are looking for an experienced haemodialysis nursing assistant. Consideration will also be given to candidates with extensive clinical skills who wish to pursue a career in dialysis.

Main duties of the job

Role involves assisting the trained nurses in the safe management and nursing care of the patient before, during and after dialysis and ensure that all areas are clean and tidy and stocks are adequately maintained.

This role will allow you to develop and gain a wide range of additional skills which will enhance your own personal development whist contributing to our high standards of care. 

Working for our organisation

We promote best practice and clinical excellence, and you will become part of this dynamic team where you will have the opportunity to enhance your clinical skills with our comprehensive training package.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Responsibilities:

Maintains a high standard of personal behaviour, and ensures effective communication with other members of the team, staff and relatives, maintaining confidentiality at all times.

To ensure that all clinical areas are clean, safe, tidy and fully supplied with necessary equipment, paperwork and leaflets.

Performs and records accurately observations of temperature, pulse, blood pressure, blood glucose monitoring, intake and output and weight, demonstrating an understanding of normal results, and of the importance of reporting deviations from the normal. Reports abnormalities to nursing or medical staff.

To procure and safely send off clinical specimens as instructed by the nurse or doctor.

Perform basic nursing care for patients i.e. general hygiene, assisting patients if necessary.

Ensures that all Trust and Unit policies and procedures are followed. Acts according to the Health & Safety Act and manual handling practice.

Informs nurse in charge all accidents or incidents. Informs manager when changes in circumstances occur which affect safe and competent practice

To bring any patient who is unwell or who has a problem to the attention of qualified staff.

Understands the dietary requirements of patients and ensure the patient has appropriate food and drink.

Obtain blood samples from patients according to Trust policy when required

Obtain bodily samples from patients when requested and label and record accordingly.

Transfer and escort patients as required safely to areas within the Trust for operations, investigations and procedures, ensuring they are in a place of safety with adequate handover to the relevant staff.

In the context of own knowledge, experience and sphere of responsibility, assist colleagues and those less experience to develop competence in accordance with their needs. Acts as a resource and as a support to all new Health Care assistants within the directorate.

Is aware of the Health Care Assistants role in delivering and documenting care and recording essential patient information.

Takes account of the customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients. Has regard to the environment of care and its physical, psychological and social effects on patients.

Carries out any other duties as required and of which Sister/Charge Nurse or nurse in charge deems she/he capable.

Acts in a responsible manner in emergency situations, in accordance with unit and Trust policies and following direction from the nurse-in-charge.

As requested, works within other clinical areas within the directorate.

Duties relating to Dialysis.

Safe preparation of dialysis equipment, according to unit policy.

Understands and responds appropriately to dialysis equipment alarms.

Under senior nursing supervision:

  • connects named patient to machinedisconnects named patient from machine following dialysis.applies dressings following care plan.
  • Safe cleaning and disinfection of dialysis furniture and equipment.

    Demonstrates an understanding of the principles of haemodialysis and its effects on the patient.

    Is able to take appropriate action in certain urgent/emergency situations.

    Assists the nurse to meet the care needs of the patient before, during and after dialysis.

    Records accurately observations of temperature, pulse, blood pressure, intake and output and weight, demonstrating an understanding of normal results, and of the importance of reporting deviations from the normal.

    Assists in meeting patients nutritional needs and safety by demonstrating an understanding of their dietary needs and restrictions.

    Observes the patients during dialysis and reports immediately any indication of illness or difficulty.

    Demonstrates an understanding of and adheres to the unit policies, concerning the control of infection and the handling of body substances.

    Receives and checks deliveries to the unit, reports on stock levels and deficits. Prepares disposable items for patients.

    Closing Date: 6th September 2022

    Interview Date: 14th September 2022

    Person specification

    Trust Values & Behaviours

    Essential criteria

  • Values & Behaviours
  • Knowledge

    Essential criteria

  • NVQ 2 or 3
  • Understanding of the requirements of patient confidentiality
  • Able to listen effectively and demonstrate a sympathetic/sensitive approach, and be able to speak effectively to colleagues, staff and patients
  • Desirable criteria

  • haemodialysis knowledge
  • Skills

    Essential criteria

  • Experience of taking clinical observations
  • Clear and accurate written and verbal communication.
  • Ability to follow a clear instruction and feed back to senior staff
  • Desirable criteria

  • Ability to undertake venepuncture
  • Experience

    Essential criteria

  • Proven ability to work within a team as well as on own initiative
  • Previous experience of working as a healthcare assistant in a hospital or registered care setting
  • Desirable criteria

  • Experience in haemodialysis clinical setting
  • Guys and St Thomas celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or studys at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.