The First Shift

• Before you start working make sure you are familiar with Geneva Health policies, including our Medication Policy. For more information contact your Geneva Health consultant.
• Ensure your NMC pin card is up-to-date and always available upon request.
• Check you know and understand the exact details of your shift - including where your shift is and what time it starts.
• Community and Homecare Health Care Professionals are required to take a map of London, for example the A-Z, with them to their shifts or assignments.
• Stick to the Geneva Health Dress Code and wear a Geneva Health uniform and ID badge.
• Allow plenty of travel time.

• Introduce yourself to the nurse in charge or the co-ordinator.
• Confirm with the nurse in charge your responsibilities and duties throughout your assignment.
• Receive an orientation to the ward.
• Ensure you know where to find the Trust's Policies and Procedures.
• Identify emergency numbers and procedures.
• Identify the location of equipment and emergency exits.
• Locate changing facilities, toilets and lockers.
• Receive a verbal hand-over from the previous shift nurse and ensure you check the needs of your patients.

• If you are unsure, pass on questions asked by the patient and their family to the nurse in charge.
• Always check the identification of patients.
• In the event of clinical deterioration of your patient, speak with the nurse in charge and contact the doctor.
• If you feel that there is nothing to do, take the initiative, ask other staff if you can help, tidy or restock or treasure the quality time you have to spend with your patients.
• Ensure all pre-operative checks are thorough and comprehensive.
• Practice universal precautions at all times to protect both yourself and your patients - please refer to the Geneva Health and Safety Policy for more information.
• Ensure documentation on all patient records and charts are thorough, as these are legal documents.
• Give a clear, concise hand-over to the staff on the next shift.

• You are unable to attend your shift or are going to be late.
• Your availability changes.
• The duty manager changes your area of work.
• You finish your assignment early or late.
• You are involved in a complaint or major incident. If a statement is required regarding an incident, please be aware that it is a legal document and it may be used for later proceedings

Please contact your Bookings Consultant on 0207 025 0092 if you have any questions.