Preparing for shifts
Before your shift
During your shift
After your shift
Before your shift
First shift compliance form
Before attending your first shift with Pulse Nursing at Home, you must complete the first shift compliance form linked here to identify that you have completed the tasks listed and confirm you understand the expectations of the shift.
Digital Nurse Logs
Whilst on shift you will be required to use our digital recording system, Digital Nurse Logs on the application Total Mobile, via a samsung tablet to manage our clients care more effectively, securely and accurately. For guidance on using Digital Nurse Logs for the first time, view our easy step-by-step video guides here.
Key contacts
If you have any questions regarding completing the first shift compliance form or Digital Nurse Logs, please contact the care coordination team on 020 7959 1003 or email operations@pulsenursingathome.co.uk.
During your shift
For any clinical queries whilst on shift, please get in touch with your dedicated clinical lead or clinical service lead. Our care coordination team are also on hand 24 hours a day to answer any of your questions relating to your package of care whilst on shift. You can reach them using the contact details below.
Email: operations@pulsenursingathome.co.uk
Tel: 020 7959 1003
Important guidance whilst on shift
We appreciate there’s a lot to prepare for when working shifts in the community, so we’ve created a handy checklist to help with your shift preparation to ensure the safety of both yourself and our clients. Click here to view your checklist.
Weather guidance
Changes in weather conditions and temperatures can impact our clients’ health and safety. To ensure we continuously deliver safe, effective care to our clients at all times, it’s important to adhere to the following guidance.
Important guidance during hot weather:
Extreme heat can affect everyone, but it poses a greater risk to the health and wellbeing of our clients. Please take a moment to review our hot weather guidance below.
To help keep clients safe during extreme heat, please:
- Reduce unnecessary travel with the client
- Check indoor temperatures 4 times a day
- Use external shading and keep curtains drawn
- Ventilate rooms at night when cooler
- Open windows safely when possible
- Ensure clients have access to water and stay hydrated
- Advise clients to stay cool (e.g. close windows during the hottest hours, open them at night)
- Avoid sun exposure between 11am–3pm
- Support staff to stay hydrated and report any health concerns
In addition to the guidance above, it’s vital to recognise when a client is experiencing heat exhaustion or heatstroke:
Heat exhaustion happens when the body overheats. It’s usually not serious if treated quickly. Signs include: tiredness, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, heavy sweating and intense thirst. If you identify these symptoms with a client, and they don’t improve within 30 minutes after helping them to cool down, call 111 for medical advice.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency and happens when the body can’t cool itself. Signs include: confusion or loss of coordination, rapid heartbeat or breathing, hot, dry skin with no sweating, seizures. Call 999 immediately if you suspect a client has heatstroke. While waiting for help, move them to a cool place, encourage fluids (if conscious), do not give aspirin or paracetamol and monitor them closely.
For additional guidance, please take a moment to review the government’s guidance on staying safe in hot weather.
Food safety and hygiene guidance during your shifts
During your shifts, you may be required to prepare, cook and bake food for clients. It’s important that you understand food hygiene and safety and the best practices for keeping the client safe and well in the community. The Food Standards Agency has guidance around food safety advice, including guidance around food allergies, hygiene and best before and use by dates.
View here
Cooking skills and guidance
For guidance around the core cooking skills when preparing meals for clients, click the button below to read the BBC’s guide.
View here
After your shift
After your shift you will need to complete your timesheet and travel and expense form. One timesheet and travel expense form will need to be completed per week with details of all the shifts you have worked (Monday to Sunday).
Your timesheet and travel and expense forms are unique to you, so make sure you complete your own so that you are paid on time.
Read our easy step by step guide on how to complete your timesheets and travel and expense forms.