Standards of Conduct

We expect all agency workers to always act in a professional and appropriate manner. We constantly monitor and review the level of service provided for our clients, which may involve unannounced visits to ensure adherence to these standards. Should there be a significant decline in the level of service from agency workers, this could lead to the termination of the agency worker’s registration with The Agency.

 

We require all agency workers to comply with the following Standards of Conduct:

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Agency workers accepting placement with a client will undertake any tasks that might reasonably be required by the client within the scope of the definition or description of the role being filled.

 

Timekeeping and punctuality

Agency workers are required to be punctual and to work the hours required by the client, within the scope of the definition or description of the role being filled. If you book a placement with suitable notice, we expect all workers to make adequate arrangements to ensure they arrive at the specified time. Please ensure adequate time is given to address common issues associated with unfamiliar sites such as route planning, parking, and location of the unit/ward you are booked for. If you agree to a short notice booking with an amended time, we expect all workers to honor that commitment. If extraneous circumstances prevent you from attending your placement on time, it is essential that you contact the duty desk who can then update the client with a revised start time. Persistent lateness has a negative effect on our reputation and is viewed seriously. Our agency is known for its ability to fulfill late notice requests and we expect our workers to meet this expectation.

 

Pulling Out of Shifts

Recurrent failure to honour your commitment to shifts is viewed seriously and could lead to the termination of your registration with The Agency. Once you are booked into a shift, you have an absolute commitment to fulfilling your shift. We expect the same level of commitment and professionalism that you would give to a substantive post.

 

Nightshifts

It is necessary to be fully alert. Therefore, it is not acceptable to make yourself available for a night shift either before or after attending any provider’s study day, if you have worked a day shift or had a demanding day.

 

Sleeping on Duty

Unless working a ‘sleeping night’, sleeping on duty, at night or day is prohibited. Any agency worker reported to be asleep on duty will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken. This could lead to the termination of your registration with The Agency and referral to the appropriate professional body.

 

Personal Computers (including laptops, tablets, smartphones)

Agency workers may use their own personal computers in a client area only with the express permission of The Agency and the client.

 

Working when Off Sick or any other Leave of Absence

Agency workers must not make themselves available for agency work when on a paid leave of absence (due to sickness etc.) from another employer. Agency workers who hold a substantive post elsewhere must only seek agency work out of normal working hours or during annual leave and should be aware not to violate contractual terms and conditions issued by their primary employer.

If it is discovered that you are working during this period you may be subject to an NHS Counter Fraud investigation, which could result in an NMC referral, potential prosecution, and the termination of your registration with The Agency.

 

Working with Relatives

The registration of relatives in the same area of a healthcare organization may cause conflicts and potential problems with favoritism and employee morale; along with potential implications should a safeguarding matter arise. In addition to claims of partiality in treatment at work, personal conflicts from outside the work environment can be carried into day-to-day working relationships.

 

For clarification, a relative is any person who is related by blood or marriage, or whose relationship with the colleague is similar to that of persons who are related by blood or marriage. Relatives of persons currently registered with The Agency will be registered only if they will not be working directly with or supervising a relative. Relatives are not able to work on the same shift as their relative when working for The Agency, but are able to work in the same unit/ward or care package, however, their shifts must oppose one another, and other agency workers or staff, not related to either agency worker must also be working in that environment.

 

If the relative relationship is established after registration with The Agency, the individuals concerned, in consultation with The Agency, will decide how the situation is to be managed.

 

Record Keeping Requirements

Agency workers accepting a placement with a client will adhere to the client’s method and standard of record keeping insofar as these should conform to published professional minimum guidelines.

 

Occupational Health

Agency workers are required to complete a comprehensive occupational health assessment when joining and on an annual basis thereafter. Ongoing assessments will take place were medically required.

It is important for your own health and that of those in your care that you are fit to practice whenever you attend an assignment. In particular, please report illness, especially vomiting or diarrhea; ear, nose, or throat infections or skin conditions to your regional office.

 

Training and Development

All agency workers are required to provide evidence of, and/or undertake annual mandatory training in manual handling, basic life support, and complete our annual mandatory training workbook; which includes, but is not limited to; health and safety, fire safety, infection control, food hygiene, safeguarding children and adults. Agency workers should also maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practice in their area.

 

 While we will send you reminders it is your responsibility to ensure that your training is up to date at all times. You can access training expiry dates by logging in to Quick Nurse and clicking on “My Details’’ then clicking the ‘’Training Record’’ button.

 

Maintaining Registration with The Agency

We require you to maintain all areas of compliance to remain registered. Basic compliancy will include:

- Mandatory training

- NMC registration

- Annual Occupational health assessments, exposure prone procedure health assessments where applicable

- Visas and Right to Work proof where applicable

- Disclosures from the Disclosures and Barring Services (DBS) are repeated annually for agency workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

- Annual skills competence declaration and health declaration

- Annual Mandatory Training Workbook

- Indemnity Insurance where applicable for contractors

 

Property of Patients and Clients

Agency workers are required to recognise the dignity of each patient and client, to respect their wishes/directions and avoid any abuse of privileged access to their person or property.

 

Use of Client Telephone

If you must use a client’s telephone, ensure you gain permission first. It is not acceptable to make personal calls during your shift whether using your own or a client’s telephone unless there is an emergency. Calls to The Agency should also be undertaken only in the client’s best interests.

 

Emergency Procedures

As an agency worker you are responsible for ensuring that you receive orientation on arrival and are aware of the emergency procedures of your work area at the start of each assignment. You must familiarise yourself with fire procedures, exits and precautions in each establishment. It is your responsibility as an agency worker to familiarise yourself with CPR procedures, and locate relevant contacts, telephone numbers and procedures for use in emergencies.

 

Medicines

Agency workers will only administer, assist or support the administration of medicines within their competence and will avoid any abuse of privileged access to medication or other drugs.

 

Accidents and Incidents

Agency workers will comply with all procedures locally in place insofar as such procedures should conform to published professional minimum guidelines. Any accidents or incidents should also be reported to The Agency. A copy of any incident/accident forms should be forwarded to The Agency.

 

Removal from Shifts

The Agency reserves the right to remove you from any booking if evidence exists of poor team dynamics, negative therapeutic relationships, unsatisfactory performance, unreliability and conduct issues.

 

Complaints

In the event of a complaint, all parties will be informed of The Agency’s complaints procedure and the agency worker will not enter into further discussion or dialogue with the client. For further information please refer to the Chapter on Complaints and Incidents Procedures.

 

Duty of Candour

All healthcare professionals have a Duty of Candour - a professional responsibility to be honest with patients/ clients when incidents occur. As a healthcare professional, you must be open and honest with patients, colleagues and your employers. All workers should understand their responsibilities in regards to the Duty of Candour. Any concerns/incidents that come under the Duty of Candour should be reported to The Agency immediately. Please see the chapter on Complaints and Incidents Procedures for more information.

 

Complying with the Agency Complaints and Incidents Team

Agency workers are expected to respond promptly to any contact made by the Complaints Team and Incidents Team. This includes complying with investigations and any requests made. Failure to cooperate and comply with requests made by the Complaints and Incidents Team may lead to your file being blocked until contact is made, or the termination of your registration with The Agency and referral to the appropriate professional body.

 

Confidentiality

Agency workers are required to protect information concerning patients or clients obtained in the course of professional practice. Breaches of confidentiality are regarded very seriously. For further information please refer to our Confidentiality Policy.

 

Statements to the Media

Agency workers will under no circumstances enter into any communication, provide or make any statements to the media relating to patients, clients, The Agency, other agency workers or any other matter in connection with their placement or registration with The Agency without the express permission of The Agency.

 

Gifts

Agency workers must not accept gifts, favours or hospitality from patients or clients, or benefit from any legacy or will. Small token presents which if refused may cause offence may be accepted. For further information please refer to The Agency Anti Bribery and Corruption Policy.

 

Equal Opportunities

Agency workers will not take part in or condone any discriminatory act, attitude or conduct with the public, patients, clients, agency workers or employees of The Agency.

 

Timesheets

Agency workers will comply with documented requirements in respect of timesheets, which will be valid, accurate and authorised. It is your responsibility to ensure that you know what the pay rate will be when you accept the shift. All timesheets are to be submitted to payroll@vinerecruitmentsolutions.co.uk for pay every Monday morning by 9am.

 

Dress and Appearance

Agency workers will maintain appropriate standards of dress and appearance as directed by the client within the scope of the definition or description of the role being filled.

 

Identity Badges

For security reasons all agency workers are supplied with a personal identification badge. All badges contain your name, qualifications, a recent passport photograph, current NMC/HCPC pin (where appropriate), and your signature.

 

Please ensure you wear your badge at all times and keep it safe.

 

Report lost badges to the office on 01235 604 952 or Recruitment Team On call 07848149924

 

ID Badges should be renewed every two years when your compliance review is due. You will be contacted prior to the expiry date to request the following information:

 

- Your full name

- A recent passport photo

- Your Unique ID number

- Your signature

 

Smoking

The Agency discourage smoking whilst on duty. However, the Agency recognises that people may want to smoke and if so, this must be done in a designated smoking area. The law prohibits smoking in enclosed public spaces. Agency workers should ensure they adhere to the law. Please note that this also extends to electric cigarettes.

 

Drug, Alcohol and Substance Abuse

The abuse of drugs and alcohol can interfere with the life of the agency worker, can impair the quality of their work and threaten the standards of care we strive to provide. Therefore, from health, moral, legal and commercial points of view we take the abuse of drugs and alcohol by workers and those in our care very seriously.

We draw a distinction between the taking of drugs and alcohol at work and outside of work but consider the consequences of their damage to care standards equally. If you possess, supply or use drugs illegally on our premises and/or whilst on duty, we have a legal duty to notify the police and will do so. This could lead to the termination of your registration with The Agency.

We are entitled to terminate your registration if you are found to be consuming or distributing alcoholic beverages on client or The Agency premises. This also extends to arriving at a client or agency premises under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 

Notifying The Agency of any Investigation Action

You must notify us in writing if you are involved in any court case, police investigation, NMC/HCPC investigation or any other formal investigation, disciplinary or dismissal proceedings at any time, this also includes an employment investigation. This applies whether the proceedings arise through connection with The Agency or elsewhere. You have a duty to inform us of any caution, conviction or reprimand that occurs during your registration with us. Failure to do so could lead to the termination of your registration with The Agency. The NMC/HCPC requires you to inform them if you have been cautioned or convicted of a criminal offence.

 

Driving Offences

You must notify us of any driving offences, which will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Failure to do so could lead to the termination of your registration with The Agency. We endorse and support the NMC/HCPC Code as issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Health and Care Professions Council and require workers to comply with the principles of these codes.

 

Complaints Procedure

We operate a clearly defined complaint procedure, documented in this handbook, requiring all types of complaints to be recorded and investigated. Violations of The Agency’s standards may result in the termination of your registration with The Agency, with any contravention of the professional codes of conduct or instances of professional malpractice being reported to the relevant professional bodies and/or the police and the appropriate regulators.

 

Overseas T2 and T4 Sponsorship

Overseas students have a responsibility to monitor the number of hours worked during term time and be aware of the limitations placed on them by the Border Agency. Restrictions are in place from the UK Border Agency to limit the number of hours students are allowed to work whilst studying; normally 10 to 20 hours per week during term time, dependent on what level of study you are undertaking. In addition if your position as a student changes you have a duty to inform The Agency. Those that have been sponsored by their substantive post on a Tier 2 visa, will be able to work for The Agency, however there are restrictions set by the Border Agency on the number of hours and type of work conducted. You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week and this must be at the same grade as your permanent role. Please note we cannot sponsor you on a Tier 2 visa and if you leave your substantive post you must inform us immediately.

 

Conflicts of Interest

Agency workers should not own, manage, operate, consult or be internally employed in a business substantially similar to, or competitive with The Agency. Such conflicts of interest could lead to the suspension of your registration with The Agency in order to protect our commercial interests. Please note that this does not apply to agency workers working under agency worker terms with a business substantially similar to, or competitive with The Agency.