Job Description: Hospital Support Assistant

Job Title:                      Hospital Support Assistant

Department:                 Customer Service

Duty Station:                Lifelink Medical Centre & Hospital

Reports To:                  Customer Experience Manager

Interfaces With:            Nursing and Clinical Teams, Customer Service, Administration and relevant hospital departments

JOB PURPOSE

The Hospital Support Assistant provides non-clinical operational support to nurses and other healthcare staff through the safe transportation of patients, movement of equipment and supplies, and assistance with general patient flow within the hospital. The role contributes to operational efficiency, positive patient experience and timely service delivery while maintaining patient dignity, safety and confidentiality.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of secondary school education or equivalent.
• Basic healthcare support training is an added advantage.
• Previous experience in a hospital or healthcare environment is preferred.
• Ability to safely push and manoeuvre wheelchairs, stretchers and patient transport beds.
• Basic understanding of patient safety and infection prevention and control.
• Ability to work effectively in a busy healthcare environment.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professionalism and respect for patients and their relatives.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure and respond promptly to requests.
• Good attention to safety and detail.
• Basic understanding of infection prevention and control.
• Positive attitude and willingness to support clinical and operational teams.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Transportation and Movement

• Safely transport patients between wards, departments, theatres, imaging units, laboratories, pharmacy and discharge points.
• Assist patients into and out of wheelchairs, stretchers and transport beds, where appropriate and within the limits of the role.
• Ensure patient comfort, dignity and safety during transportation.
• Respond promptly to requests for patient transportation and movement.
• Follow appropriate patient handling and transportation procedures at all times.

Support to Clinical Teams

• Support nurses and other clinical staff with non-clinical logistical tasks.
• Deliver specimens, patient files, medications, equipment and supplies between departments as directed by authorized staff.
• Assist with the preparation and movement of patient beds, wheelchairs and stretchers.
• Support smooth patient flow within the hospital.
• Promptly communicate any delays or challenges affecting patient movement to the relevant staff.

Equipment and Supply Handling

• Transport medical equipment and supplies safely between departments as required.
• Ensure wheelchairs, stretchers and other patient transport equipment are clean, available and ready for use.
• Handle equipment carefully to prevent damage.
• Promptly report faulty, damaged or missing transport equipment to the relevant supervisor.
• Assist in ensuring that transport equipment is returned to its designated location after use.

Patient Experience and Communication

• Greet and guide patients respectfully during transfers and movement within the hospital.
• Provide basic directions and appropriate reassurance to patients and their relatives.
• Maintain a courteous and professional attitude when interacting with patients, relatives and staff.
• Immediately escalate patient concerns, emergencies or changes in a patient’s condition to the relevant nurse or clinical staff.
• Maintain patient dignity and privacy during transportation and transfers.

Safety, Infection Prevention and Compliance

• Follow hospital infection prevention and control protocols.
• Practice safe patient handling and transportation techniques.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information.
• Comply with hospital safety procedures and professional conduct standards.
• Report any safety hazards, incidents or risks observed during the course of duty.
• Use wheelchairs, stretchers and other transport equipment appropriately and safely.

Documentation and Communication

• Maintain required logs and records relating to patient movement and equipment transfers.
• Promptly communicate delays, emergencies, incidents and operational challenges to the relevant supervisor or staff member.
• Provide accurate information regarding the status of assigned patient movements when required.
• Complete any other relevant documentation as required by the hospital.

Other Duties

• Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor or management.
• Work collaboratively with other hospital departments to support efficient patient flow and service delivery.

REPORTS

The Hospital Support Assistant shall maintain and submit the following reports/records as required:

• Patient movement/transport logs.
• Equipment movement or transfer records.
• Incident or safety reports.
• Daily activity report (summary of transfers, requests handled and delays).
• Patient experience feedback log (compliments, complaints and suggestions).
• Equipment utilization report (frequency of use, downtime and maintenance needs).
• Infection control compliance checklist (cleaning and sanitization records).
• Response time report (average time from request to completion).
• Communication and escalation log (delays, emergencies and patient condition changes).
• Training and development record (refresher training attended).
• Shift handover notes (pending transfers, unresolved incidents and equipment issues).
• Any other reports as may be required by the supervisor or management.