UHWS Cardiac Aide

***********PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM FULLY*************

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be part of a team dedicated to the delivery of a high-quality service and must demonstrate a caring and responsible approach to duties carried out and will work under the guidance and supervision of Cardiac Physiologists. Duties will be according to the requirements of the specific work area and the day to day needs of the Department. Under the general direction and control of the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist, the Cardiac Aide will be responsible for the following:

CLINICAL & PATIENT CARE DUTIES

• Be part of an effective team with good interpersonal skills working with Physiologists, Medical and Nursing staff and ancillary staff providing appropriate care to patients
• Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient in relation to all activities as per statutory requirements
• Assist the Physiologists with the lifting, moving and positioning of patients within the Cardiac Department, when necessary, in accordance with the Hospital Manual Handling Policy.
• Transfer of patients from wheelchairs to couch and back safely
• Accompany and assist Physiologists in the transfer of outpatients to other areas within the hospital and outside the hospital as required, including pushing wheelchairs and any other mobile equipment as directed by the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist
• Reposition patients in chairs and beds and ensure their comfort and safety
• Escort patients into clinical rooms when required & assist patients with dressing, undressing and putting on gowns as directed by the Physiologists
• Accompany and supervise infirm patients to the toilet. Remain and assist in patient toileting as required
• Assist with patient hygiene needs (e.g. bedpans, sick bowls etc.)
• Assist with confused or agitated patients while in the department and remain with and monitor patients that require supervision
• Assist patients with walking as requested
• Be alert to patients with special needs and inform the Physiologist if the patient requires assistance
• Liaise with the Physiologists, regarding patient’s attendance in the department. Inform the Physiologists if any patient requires assistance. Observe patients and report any concerns back to the Physiologist
• Reassure patients in general waiting areas when examinations are delayed and give a reasonable estimate of when examination will be completed
• Prepare and serve food / refreshments / beverages to patients as requested
• Assist with emergency first aid as directed

GENERAL DUTIES

• Work in any area within the Cardiac Diagnostic Service, as may be required in agreement with the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist
• All aspects of general housekeeping in the area of work - assist in maintaining order, cleanliness, tidiness and safety of procedure rooms in accordance with hospital infection control and department guidelines
• Monitor and order stock including PPE for the Dept.
• Unpack stock and keep store tidy
• Monitor, maintain and replenish stationary stock
• Monitor and replenish stocks and consumables in the clinical rooms on a daily basis
• To assist where necessary certain administrative tasks as designated by Physiologist, including using the telephone effectively and efficiently, dealing with queries when possible, passing on clear messages and locating appropriate personnel
• Ensure decontamination of non-clinical equipment is carried out as appropriate
• Change linen on couches and trolleys
• Ensure curtains are changed as required
• Ensure the correct laundry bags are used and the correct use of alginate bags
• Assist with the disposal of clinical waste
• Attend to spillages immediately to reduce the risk of accident
• Assist with the cleaning and transfer of equipment and accessories within the department
• To carry out any other duties relating to day-to-day operation as directed by the Cardiac Physiologists in the assigned area
• Attendance may be required in the event of the Major Incident Plan being activated

SPECIALISED CARDIAC DUTIES

• Accompany patients if required when procedures are being performed
• Chaperone patients during examinations as required
• Check patients’ ID prior to commencement of procedure
• Assisting Physiologists in the preparation of patients for procedures/examinations including measuring and recording patient’s height and weight and attaching ECG electrodes for specific procedures as directed by the Physiologist
• Removal of Blood Pressure Monitors. Sending soiled blood pressure cuffs to be cleaned and liaising with the laundry service for their return
• Removal and cleaning of Holter Monitors
• Prepare patient diary sheets and information leaflets
• Collect clean and return soiled TOE probes to CSSD for decontamination as appropriate
• Assist and take part in audit and quality assurance programmes
• Assisting in the movement of clinical equipment as required
• Take part in routine inspection of equipment and quality assurance procedures

INTERPERSONAL DUTIES

• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the provision of an integrated patient-centred service, communicating clearly and accurately with all patients and staff
• To promote good working relationships with colleagues and with non-cardiology staff, both in the Department and with other Departments and Hospital Staff
• Be professional at all times and be courteous and friendly to all patients and visitors
• Make the department as welcoming as possible for patients/relatives, deal with queries, take time to talk and listen
• Deal sensitively with patients/relative needs and requests respecting backgrounds and providing direct care tailored as far as possible to their individual needs
• If appropriate, whenever possible diffuse difficult situations
• The Cardiac Aide will be required to operate as a member of the Cardiology team assisting the Physiologists as directed. Full training and orientation to the Department and the scope of the post will be given

Education & Training

• Attend and participate in meetings and in-service training when recommended, as agreed with the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist or Deputy
• Attend specialist areas for training / observation on initial appointment and at intervals as directed by the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist
• To take advice and training where required
• Participate in mandatory training programmes on the following -
• Patient Movement Manual Handling
• Basic Life Support
• Fire training
• Sharps Awareness / Health & Safety
• Children First
• Dignity at Work
• Hand hygiene and other Infection Control training
• Any other training appropriate to the post
• Each member of staff is required to be familiar and comply with HSE, UHW & Cardiology Department policies and procedures in relation to the following:
• Health & Safety
• Infection Control (including disposal of waste, sharps and infected linen)
• Incident and Accident Reporting
• Occupational Health & Safety Training
• Hospital Risk Management
• Major Incident Plan
• Complaints Procedure
• Uniform Policy
• Waste Disposal
• Smoking
• Fire Orders - to be familiar with regulations and local procedures such as fire regulations and emergency plan regulations.
• Managing Attendance Policy
• Health Service Executive Employee Manual
• Any other relevant policies appropriate to your areas of work

Hygiene/Infection Control

At all times be aware of the need to follow Health Service Executive and hospital practices in relation to infection control and Health and Safety policies. All employees have responsibility for Hygiene awareness. All employees must be aware that they work in an area where there is potential for transmission of infection. All employees have a responsibility to follow hand hygiene guidelines as this is the single most important intervention to prevent the transmission of infection. All employees also have a responsibility under their terms of employment to prevent transmission of infection and to follow the hospital infection control policies and guidelines as outlined in the Infection Control Manual.

• Always present in a clean, tidy manner having regard to the highest standard of attire and personal hygiene in line with hospital uniform policy which must be adhered to at all times
• Assist with the tidiness and cleanliness in all areas of the Cardiology Department
• Assist with the disposal of clinical and other waste & take cardboard boxes to designated recycling point
• Check sharps boxes and replace when required
• Sort, check and remove soiled linen
• Be responsible for the cleaning of body fluids and their safe disposal
• Clean spillages immediately and make safe the area according to hospital policy
• Cleaning of cardiology equipment, accessories and examination room after each patient as required. This includes particular duties following infectious patients
• Wear appropriate clothing, in particular personal protective equipment that may be necessary

SAFETY, Health & WELFARE at WoRK

• All employees must comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
• Comply with relevant Health and Safety responsibilities as outlined in Hospital Polices, Protocols and Procedures relevant to your area including upholding the policies and principles of the Safety Statement
• The post holder will be required to satisfy Occupational Health requirements for the post and thereafter demonstrate their capability to perform through satisfactory attendance records
• The post holder will be required to ensure, so far as it is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of self and all other employees
• Be familiar with Fire and Health & Safety regulations and ensure safety of self and others during the course of duty
• Follow instructions, carry out tasks and adhere to safety procedures, as directed by the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist, in line with the department and hospital policies
• Take reasonable care to protect your own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work
• Report immediately to the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist / Deputy any defect in equipment or the environment or any matter relating to Health and Safety within the designated work area which might cause a hazard to staff or patients
• Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards, incidents and accidents involving self, patients or visitors bringing them to the attention of the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist or Deputy in their absence
• Attend to spillages immediately to reduce the risk of accidents
• Report broken or faulty equipment/items as outlined by local departmental policies
• Assist in the cleaning and proper care and storage of all safety equipment including personal protective equipment
• Be vigilant to patient’s safety particularly while they are waiting for examinations and returning to the ward (i.e. ensuring that trolley and bed sides are secure and address any other issue that could arise in relation to safety).

Confidentiality

It is essential that we maintain the privacy of people who use the Cardiology service. In the course of the employment the appointee may have access to, or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients and/or staff, or other health service business. Such records and information are strictly confidential and unless acting on the instruction of an authorised officer, on no account must information concerning staff, patients or other health service business be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.