Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Healthcare Assistant in General Practice

Job Purpose

To assist the GPs and Practice nurse team in providing a holistic service and high quality care for the practice population

Responsible to

The GP Partners, Nurse Practitioner(s) and Practice Nurses

The post holder works under indirect supervision of the GP Partners, Nurse Practitioner(s), Practice Nurses and or a suitably qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, demonstrating compliance with practice policy and procedures

• Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication
• Undertake effective communication with patients in specific clinical situations
• Communicate effectively with other team members

• Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, including participating in supervision
• Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
• Work with the practice to access appropriate training based on identified need
• To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary health care team
• Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of a HCA
• Be familiar with the changing structures of health care provision relevant to general practice

• Use and encourage others to be familiar with the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
• Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks
• Use and encourage others to adopt appropriate infection control procedures and maintain work areas in each clinical room so that they are clean, safe and free from hazards reporting of any potential risks identified, including:

o hand washing

o universal hygiene procedures

o collection and handling of laboratory specimens

o segregation and disposal of waste materials

o reporting and treatment of sharps injuries

o dealing with blood and body fluid spillages

o Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures

o Cleaning & monitoring equipment

• Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain
• Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility
• Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate
• Be aware of statutory child health procedures, and statutory local guidance and referral criteria
• Know the health and safety policies and procedures within the workplace, including fire procedures, maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintaining of equipment and furniture within your area of responsibility
• Use the computer monitor safely and undertake DSE assessment as required
• Be able to identify the risks to health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the working environment according to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

• Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in clinical audit
• Contribute to the preparation of local guidelines, protocols and standards
• Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives
• Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets
• Be aware of current approaches, including research, to the management of patient care within general practice

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients
• Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems
• Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care
• Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the team
• Ensure stock items under your control are ordered and available in the treatment and consulting rooms
• Know how clinical governance affects the HCA role and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation
• Know the practice's policies in this respect, especially the whistle-blowing policy - available in the practice staff handbook
• Be able to manage your own time effectively
• Give and receive feedback professionally and defuse situations using problem resolution skills to reduce potential for formal complaints

• Ensure own actions support equality, diversity and rights
• Act in ways that recognise the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures
• Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and carers
• Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour
• Act as a chaperone where required

• Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training
• Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory
• Follow and contribute to the Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) using practice templates and guidelines
• Measuring and recording physiological measurements in routine presentations:

o blood pressure

o pulse rate and rhythm

o height and weight - body mass index

o venepuncture

o ECG

o peak flow readings

o Pre Diabetic checks

o Support and monitor patients during nebulisation therapy

o Assist regulated professional while patients are undergoing minor surgery - Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions

o Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted

o Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence

o Undertake simple dressing procedures following local recommendations and using aseptic techniques

o Where appropriate, provide support and encouragement to patients to self-manage their conditions

o Have a basic understanding of long term conditions including diagnostic interventions, treatments, and the principles of care and self management

o Plan, develop and implement health promotion activities as appropriate e.g. smoking, exercise and diet

o Assess patients readiness to change and provide motivational support as appropriate in cases of smoking, obesity and healthy living for older people

o To administer the influenza and pneumococcal and shingles vaccine under indirect supervision of a regulated professional

o To administer B12 injections under indirect supervision of a regulated professional

o To gain the underpinning knowledge and practical skills to administer basic life support or adrenaline if necessary

o To complete diabetic foot checks on low risk patients under indirect supervision of a regulated professional

o To syringe ears under the indirect supervision of a regulated professional

• Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate
• Input accurate read codes about patients to ensure accurate retrieval of information for monitoring, auditing and QOF processes
• Maintain confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and the practice
• Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a nursing team
• Experience of dealing with vulnerable patients
• Experience of working under indirect supervision

Desirable

• 2 years previous experience working in a general practice or other healthcare environment

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 or working towards this or equivalent qualification.
• Standard keyboard skills.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the role of the health care assistant.
• Clinical skills and competency relevant to the role e.g. Phlebotomy experience.
• Able to make judgements where there is more than a straightforward choice of options, e.g. new patient health checks, urinalysis etc.
• Can undertake simple dressings.
• Understand issues regarding accountability and delegation.

Desirable

• Up to date basic life support training.
• ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence).
• Following appropriate education and training has the ability to undertake the administration of influenza, pneumococcal, Shingles, B12 vaccination.
• Ear syringing.
• Low Risk Diabetic Foot Checks.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Oakfields Health Group

Address

Hamsterley Colliery

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Tyne & Wear

NE17 7SB

Employer's website

https://www.oakfieldshealthgroup.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)