Carla-Marie Dodd

I am a band 3 HCSW on the GGC staff bank for Mental health Services. I undertake shifts within various settings supporting adults with Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, and forensic services. The role of a band, 3 HCSW in Mental health services includes ensuring support to patients with various diagnoses and challenges, has enriched my knowledge as a professional and equipped my skill set. Demonstrating care and compassion in my practice to provide high-quality, person-centred care is upheld. Within my role, I adhere to the Safe and Supportive Enhanced Observation policy; I observe patients and effectively monitor their conditions, recognising and highlighting any changes or deterioration in their patient's physical or mental well-being, using therapeutic interventions where possible to de-escalate potential distress a patient may be experiencing and adhering to legislation, policy and procedure when managing violence and aggression.

However, the nature of the staff bank means I am regularly exposed to new environments and patients. I ensure I can provide safe and effective patient care by ensuring I have the correct information about the patients and the potential risks from team members and reading care and support plans. This shows that I am a safe professional, flexible, and adaptable. Similar to my band two posts, my role includes supporting patients with all aspects of activities of daily living, such as personal hygiene, continence care, diet and fluid intake, whilst upholding the patient's dignity, values and privacy. As well as carrying out housekeeping and stock control duties to maintain the smooth running of the ward. In addition, I complete and update essential documentation and highlight any observed changes in the patient's physical or psychological well-being to nursing staff to ensure good communication. Having experience supporting patients with a range of different diagnoses and challenges has enriched my knowledge as a professional and equipped my skillset.

• Performed set tasks according to individual patient care plans as assessed and delegated by NIC to ensure cohesive, tailored care provision.
• Accurately completed and recorded patients' NEWS scores, reporting findings to NIC to maintain cohesive patient care.
• Provided clinical and clerical support to NIC through patient management systems to enable effective and efficient delivery of patient care.
• Maintained strict confidentiality of information regarding patients.
• Communicated complex medical information to patients, carers and relatives, effectively navigating barriers to understanding to ensure the patient receives person-centred care.
• Supported patients through personal care tasks such as toileting, showering and feeding, maintaining sensitivity to needs and ensuring comfort, dignity and safety throughout.

In response to the Covid Pandemic, I had the opportunity to join the student staff bank as a Student HCSW (Band 3) within Blythswood House Assessment and Treatment Unit, which is one of the specialists in learning disability inpatient services for Greater Glasgow and Clyde. During my time within Blythswood, I have supported patients with learning disabilities who have acute and enduring mental illness and may display behaviours that can be perceived as challenging. My duties as an HCSW include creating safe and therapeutic relationships with patients and communication methods. An essential part of my role at Blythswood is adhering to the Safe and Enhanced Observation Policy. I would observe patients and effectively monitor their conditions to ensure their safety of themselves and others.

Recognising and highlighting any changes or deterioration in the patient's physical or mental well-being to registered professionals and documenting this accordingly. I would utilise therapeutic interventions to de-escalate potential distress a patient may be experiencing. However, when the least restrictive de-escalation strategies were unsuccessful, I would raise the alarm with my team members to assist me in appropriately managing violence and aggression in adherence to legislation, policy and procedure. In addition, my duties included supporting patients with all aspects of daily living, such as personal hygiene, continence care, diet and fluid intake, whilst upholding the patient's dignity., values and privacy. As well as supporting patients to take part in scheduled day activities in and out of the unit in accordance with the individual person-centred care plan. I would promote person-centred care by ensuring the patient's involvement, choice, and independence in every aspect of their care where possible. I overcame communication barriers with patients using various communication methods, including augmentative and alternative communication. I also communicated respectfully and listened compassionately. This ensured that their views and wishes were heard.

Similarly, I applied this to my contact with patient relatives and other professionals in my team. I provided effective teamwork and communication within the team by keeping up-to-date documentation and highlighting to my colleagues any observed patient changes, ensuring the continuity of quality and safety in the care provided. I work with a range of multi-disciplinary professionals, contributing to the ongoing assessment of patients by providing information to inform assessments and discussions regarding any planned care. Furthermore, my role included doing housekeeping such as shopping, cleaning, laundry and maintaining stock control to ensure the smooth running of the ward. I worked well within the team at Blythswood House, built up a great relationship with patients and colleagues, and became a valued team member during my time there.

• Completed shifts alongside university-based learning.
• Collaborated with staff members to facilitate quality care, increasing patient satisfaction.
• Proactively applied safeguarding principles to maximise patient safety.
• Monitored patient conditions, continuously assessing vitals to ensure ongoing quality care.
• Planned and delivered evidence-based care tailored to patients' needs.
• Gained an understanding of health inequalities affecting disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
• Reported accidents, risks and incidents in line with set procedures.
• Built clinical knowledge and leadership skills to diagnose patients effectively.
• Carried out patient assessments with minimal supervision.
• Monitored and maintained catheters, IVs and bandages.
• Built positive rapport with patients from various backgrounds.
• Cooperated with multidisciplinary teams to deliver health care plans.
• Established immediate and long-term care goals, working with interdisciplinary teams to implement them.
• Administered oxygen and medication to achieve optimum health outcomes.
• Worked with family and carers to understand and assess patients' health needs.
• Bathed, changed and fed patients with ailments and disabilities.
• Performed physical assessment by measuring blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen level.
• Reviewed charts, doctor notes, test results, and registered data on the EMIS system.
• Cleaned and treated patient wounds with guidance from a supervising nurse.