Emergency Department Assistant | Barts Health NHS Trust

As a member of the emergency department team the emergency team assistant will act under the supervision of the Registered Nurse. The role will involve working in conjunction with professionally qualified staff, undertaking delegated care and treatment of patients attending the Emergency department., Under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse and as part of the nursing team structure, assists in the provision of high quality patient care in all areas of the department. This will include the following tasks:

• Preparation of patients for treatment by professionally qualified staff. This will involve escorting the patient to the treatment area and assisting them to undress as needed, providing a gown and identification bracelet. Ensuring Trust policy is followed in relation to property and valuables.
• Provision of personal hygiene, mobilisation, nutritional needs and general comfort of the patient.
• Assisting the registered nurse in providing care for the deceased
• With the support and supervision of the Registered Nurse, undertakes the following and reports all findings to Registered Nurse for review and signature;
• Undertake baseline observations i.e. Blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, temperature, blood glucose monitoring and oxygen saturations.
• Perform urinalysis and pregnancy testing and report findings to requesting practitioner
• Provide plastering/immobilisation of uncomplicated fractures and limb injuries, ensuring the Registered Nurse observes the patient prior to discharge
• Perform venepuncture and cannulation, for blood sampling. Utilising near patient testing facilities as appropriate and requesting specified investigations via Trust computer system. Access diagnostic test results and report to requesting practitioner
• Facilitate patient flow within the department through liaison with ward staff and escort patients to wards or other departments as directed by the Registered Nurse.
• Steristrip/glue application following wound assessment by an Emergency Nurse Practitioner / sister / charge nurse.
• Perform ECG recording and report back to the requesting practitioner.
• Assist in the safe discharge of patients including booking transport as necessary
• Assisting in dealing with enquiries, concerns and complaints from patients and visitors in a courteous and efficient way, seeking the support of the registered nurse as appropriate.
• Maintain patient privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.
• On a rotational basis ensure departmental equipment is maintained in good working order and is available for use at the beginning of and throughout the rest of the shift.
• Ensure any malfunctioning equipment is sent to the appropriate department for repair and records of equipment are maintained.
• Ensure stock levels within all areas of the department are maintained at the specified levels throughout the period of duty.
• On a rotational basis monitor stock levels, ensure stock rotation and liaise with service manager regarding departmental stock as necessary.
• Inform a registered nurse if asked to carry out a task which the individual does not have the training or capacity to do.
  
  We are currently recruiting for Emergency Department Assistants who are dynamic and self-motivated; to join our friendly multidisciplinary team helping to deliver high-class emergency care within the Emergency Department.
Depending upon previous experience, the successful candidate can expect to be trained up to perform phlebotomy/Cannulation and develop skills in treatment of injuries such as skin closure and plastering skills. This is in addition to the basic nursing care of the patient which includes empirical observations, attending to comfort and hygiene needs, and sometimes just making the difference in a patient's experience by something as minor as a cup of tea or the reassurance of holding someone's hand. You should be flexible, enthusiastic and passionate about emergency care and an excellent communicator. This role is also ideal for anyone who wishes to look towards becoming an allied health professional in the future. Many nurses and doctors started off as EDA's or healthcare assistants as it provides a formidable foundation in basic care.

Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers. The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients. Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which ourWeCarevalues and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together. We strive to live by ourWeCarevalues and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.