Cardiology Pre-Admission Clinic Assistant

at  Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The pre admission assistant is a newly developed role in the Cardiology Pre Admission Clinic which is a small, busy, specialist team based in the heart centre. Pre admission assessment plays a key role in preparing patients for elective cardiology procedures (the majority of these procedures are day procedures undertaken in one of the cardiac cath labs). The pre admission assistant will have an important role supporting the specialist pre admission nurses to be able to complete their assessments. For example, assisting them in preparing the clinic before and assisting with patients during face to face assessments. The nurses also complete many of their assessments via phone. The pre admission assistant will make sure they have all the information they need in advance of these assessments. This presents an exciting opportunity to work with other members of the MDT and communicate with the patients. Requesting and organising test results from a variety of other hospitals, GP surgeries etc. Currently the team comprises of 2 full time pre admission nurses and one team administrator. Overseen by a senior cardiac nurse as team lead.
To keep the clinic well maintained, stocked and tidy, ready to welcome patients, while adhering to health and safety policies.
To perform a range of cardiac physiological procedures, and to keep them accessible to the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust and local GP practices.
To triage patient’s notes following established criteria and to highlight to the PAC nurses those patients who need a nurse review.
To complete patient’s notes review under the supervision of the PAC nurses.
To make telephone calls to confirm face to face appointments with patients to avoid “did not attend” in our clinics.
To liaise with other staff within the service, Oxford University Hospitals, GP Practices, and other local NHS Trust organisations to ensure that patients receive cardiac physiology procedures requested by clinical staff in the delivery of health care.
To ensure the collection and availability of administration and clinical data is completed in a timely manner for the smooth running of the clinic.
To scan on the Electronic Patient Records administration and clinical data received from other NHS Trusts.
To liaise with the Cardiology PAC clerical staff and cover the PAC answer phone and the PAC email inbox during periods of leave.
To be a member of the interdisciplinary team, contributing to and delivering effective, quality care of cardiac patients.
To respect and maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to the Unit and patients.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. For more information on OUH please view OUH At a Glance by OUHospitals - Issuu
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.
We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel .

• To undergo regular review and completion of the PAC competencies within the first 6 months of starting.
• Without immediate supervision, use appropriate electro-medical equipment (E.G. electrocardiograph, sphygmomanometer, ambulatory recording systems) in wards or departments throughout the organisation to obtain physiological data from patients.
• To check bloods result and flag to nurses deranged values (no need to interpret the values).

To obtain patient consent for the procedure, accurate anatomical placement of electrodes, labelling correctly.
Maintain and update as appropriate, knowledge and skills required to record and provide first-line analysis/interpretation of results from a range of physiological procedures, like vital signs, bloods, etc. under supervision.
Contribute to the maintenance, development and implementation of local operating procedures and policies.
To ensure Trust protocols are adhered to when labelling and sending samples
To be effective in prioritising workload e.g. urgent patients added to procedure list.
To access and collate results from the computer and ensure that they are available for medical and nursing staff whilst ensuring patient confidentiality and disposing of records appropriately in line with data protection protocols.
To be proactive in ensuring that cardiology preadmission, medical and nursing staff are aware of any abnormal results.
To keep service lead fully informed and to seek advice and support when indicated.
To be able to complete relevant patient documentation facilitating their current and future care.
To demonstrate initiative and the ability to identify changes in a patient’s condition which need to be reported to a designated nurse.
To be able to work independently after the induction period
To maintain accurate patient records.
To answer the telephone/door, dealing with enquiries promptly and courteously (as per customer care training) and either take appropriate action or refer to the service lead as required.
To always maintain dignity and privacy of patients.
To perform, accurately record and report patient observations (as directed by cardiology preadmission nurses) -temp, pulse, Bp, following completion of relevant competencies/training.
To be able to identify when to carry out and report observations, should a patient’s condition alter/deteriorate
To perform additional tasks (as directed by pre-admission staff) following completion of relevant competencies/training.
To demonstrate good communication skills when dealing with patients, relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team utilising sensitivity, empathy and ability to manage conflict.
To assist with patient moving and handling using correct methods and equipment as required (as per manual handling policy) and completion of appropriate paperwork.
To be fully conversant and adhere to infection control and COSHH policies to prevent cross infection and hazards.
To demonstrate skills at time management and prioritisation of workload with support from. service lead
To participate in surveys/audits as requested by Cardiology preadmission staff or Cardiology Ward staff.
To demonstrate the ability to concentrate for long periods, whilst maintaining accuracy despite frequent interruptions.
To undertake mandatory, statutory and local training as required by the Trust and directorate.
To be flexible/willing to assist all areas within Cardiology preadmission e.g. at times of sickness or increased workload

Please refer the Job description for details