Senior Vascular Clinical Support Worker

We are looking for a dynamic, ambitious and motivated Senior Healthcare Support Worker to join the Vascular Surgery team in the Vascular Surgery Rapid Access Outpatient Clinics.

You will be primarily involved with providing clinical support for our Vascular rapid access outpatient clinic. This involves seeing patients with new diabetic foot disease and urgent or ‘hot’ vascular clinical problems.

The post holder will be expected to work closely alongside the vascular rapid access clinic nurses, vascular clinical nurse specialists, vascular scientists, podiatrists, and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. This integral role will suit somebody with enthusiasm and initiative in this busy outpatient area.

Previous applicants need not apply. 

Main duties of the job

Duties will involve:

• Ensuring efficient patient throughput in clinics
• Removing, and replacing dressings
• Offering basic care to patients
• Booking patient appointments when required and responding to patient phone queries, 
• Once trained, completing baseline vascular tests on patients under supervision
• You will also be required to take a proactive approach to assisting the nurses run the clinics as requested.

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised center of excellence in a range of services and major specialties. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Under the supervision of a senior staff member:

• Act as first point of contact and welcome for queries for patients, referring professionals and staff from other trusts/hospitals.
• Input and update accurate patient attendance on Careflow, personal and appointment details.
• Assist with clinic preparation- ensuring notes are ready with vascular clinic paperwork attached.
• Assist and take part in audit as required.
• Receive patients at the entrance to the waiting area if asked to by the vascular nurses. Ensure that the patients are aware of the location of the toilets, call button etc.
• Work in Vascular HOT and Diabetic foot clinic. Complete baseline vascular tests (training will be given) and assist the vascular team as required.
• Ensure safe manual handling
• Report the vascular test results on CRIS/Careflow Systems(training). 
• Remove and replace dressings and basic patient care in the outpatient setting.
• Removal of cannula if required (training will be given)
• Answer office phones and pass messages on to the vascular nurses. 
• Be proactive in maintaining and tracking equipment used for vascular tests and ensure that dressing supplies within clinic are topped up in preparedness for clinic daily.
• When required escort patients to and from other departments. i.e. CT/Xray/Discharge lounge and undertake any other duties which are appropriate to the post, as agreed with line manager. 
• Have a flexible approach to enable the continuous smooth running of the department.
• When required assist in booking outpatient appointments by telephone with the patient/family member for the diabetic foot clinic and the vascular hot clinic using a protocol to allocate appointments.  
• When required allocate and offer appropriate appointment times using independent judgement in line with departmental guidelines, advice and support in doing so is always available from clinical team members.
• Adhere to trust and departmental guidelines.
• Participate in annual appraisal reviews.

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare or QCF Diploma Level 3 Health or equivalent experience together with Level 2 Qualification
• Numeracy and Literacy Level 2 or equivalent
• Evidence of full-time education achievements
• Ability and willingness to undertake appropriate training

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• At least 12 months experience of working in a health or social care setting
• Prior experience as a support worker
• Experience of time management skills and prioritising work

Desirable criteria

• Recent experience in a hospital setting
• Up to date wound care knowledge and experience of wound care

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
• Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
• Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
• IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills
• Committed to providing high quality patient care