HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be a member of the practice based nursing team and also provide support to the practice clerical team as requested and as in the terms of your contract.

Working under the direct supervision of the senior practice team and strictly in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols, the healthcare assistant will assist the practice clinical team in the provision and delivery of prescribed programmes of patient care.

You will provide high quality care to the practice population. You will be supervised by members of the nursing, medical and clerical team, at all times working to your job description and within your capabilities according to your training and appraisal.

The post holder will provide an important service for patients, carrying out procedures and supporting patients to live healthier lives. An important part of the service is taking blood samples, performing Healthcare checks and undertaking home visit appointments when required.

The post holder will also be responsible for the clinical cleaning and checking of clinical equipment and supplies and supporting the delivery of the service by providing some administrative support, such as ordering clinical supplies.

The role requires initiative and good judgement but will always be supported by other more senior clinicians on duty who will be available to advise.

Responsibilities for patient care

Provision of a phlebotomy (blood-taking) service

To ensure test samples are appropriately labelled and packaged for transportation to the laboratory.

To liaise with the laboratory, acting as first contact for day-to-day test queries.

To carry out health screening and measurements, including: blood pressure; weight, height and BMI; urinalysis; pulse rate and rhythm; ECG; and peak flow readings.

To carry out patient health checks, including health screening and measurements, and recording previous medical history, family history and current medications.

To provide education and health promotion to patients as appropriate.

To act as a chaperone for other clinicians.

To collect lifestyle data from patients, including smoking status, alcohol consumption and exercise.

To refer the patient to another clinician when appropriate.

To report any observed changes in the patients condition or behaviour, or any other cause for concern, to an appropriate clinician.

Assisting the clinical staff where required.

To maintain accurate and contemporaneous records to relevant professional Standards & guidelines.

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

Provide a service to promote healthy lifestyles, including for patients with long term conditions, smoking cessation, alcohol use and weight management.

Provide education, support and encouragement to patients to self-manage their conditions,

To administer the influenza, pneumococcal, shingles & B12 vaccines, on the instruction of a regulated professional or to work towards this skill.

Respond appropriately in the rare event of an adverse reaction to vaccination, including maintaining skills in basic life support.

To assist the GP/PNs in anticoagulation checks.

To carry out cardio memos, CRP testing, D Dimer Testing, Ear Syringing

To develop new skills and partake in any training requirements that will expand the healthcare assistant service, as appropriate to the level of the post.

Administrative responsibilities

Maintaining stock control of clinical supplies.

Arranging the calibration and maintenance of equipment and keeping relevant records.

Supporting the delivery of standards and targets e.g. annual influenza vaccinations, childhood immunisations, cervical screening, QOF.

Plan, develop and implement health promotion activities in the waiting room, e.g. smoking, exercise and diet.

Organise the provision of patient information leaflets, as required.

Communications and relationships

Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

Communicate effectively with other members of the Primary Health Care Team (e.g. GPs, Practice Nurses, District Nurses & Health Visitors).

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication and responding accordingly.

Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

Provide and receive sensitive information.

To understand and follow the requirements of confidentiality (including the Data Protection Act and practice policy) and the Freedom of Information Act and to refer on any queries as appropriate.

Understand own role and scope in the organisation.

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others.

Ensure clear understanding and utilisation of referral mechanisms within the practice.

Accept delegation from other nurses, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time management strategies are embedded in own practice.

Organisation/Quality

To follow Practice policies, including Health and Safety, Security, Confidentiality and Information Governance.

To practice in accordance with agreed standards of care.

To ensure that own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific quality and risk situations.

To manage own time, workload and resources effectively.

To support and work towards the achievement of national standards (e.g. QOF), local CCG standards and Practice standards.

Review, enter and process data using accurate Read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring, financial and audit processes.

To support the aims and objectives of the Practice and contribute to the ongoing development of the Practice as required.

Participate in audit as required e.g. data input, information gathering and analysis

Equality and diversity

To act in ways that recognise the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.

To respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers, visitors and co-workers. They must be treated equally, irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

Behaving in a manner that is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights.

To follow the Practice chaperoning policy.

Be aware of statutory procedures, local guidance and referral criteria regarding protection of children and vulnerable adults, including Practice and CCG policies. To follow the correct guidance and policies and take action in an appropriate manner.

Health, safety and security

Use of correct infection control procedures.

Follow Health & Safety Policies and guidelines, including fire procedures and those pertaining to clinical areas of risk.

Use safe working procedures and report incidents using the practice incident reporting system.

Ensure the safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines, drugs and clinical equipment within area of responsibility.

Ensure that clinical rooms are at all times kept in a clean and orderly manner and that relevant equipment is ready for use by nursing and medical staff during clinic sessions

Ensure that the drug refrigerator is at correct temperature on a daily basis and that drugs are within their expiry dates and used in correct sequence. Order drugs and other supplies as directed ensuring that adequate levels of stock are available in the surgery. Maintain the cold chain when drugs are delivered to the surgery

Training/Personal development

To undergo regular appraisal, supervision and training as necessary to update skills and knowledge.

Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.

Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work,

To give good and regular attendance.

To attend practice meetings and required training events

To maintain a tidy and organised work area.

To ensure that all protocols are adhered to at all times

To support and contribute to self and team development, treating colleagues with dignity and respect

To undertake any additional work and other duties appropriate to the role as required by the employer.

This job description is subject to periodic review and amendment in consultation with the post holder in the light of changing circumstances and to meet new working requirements.

Flexibility

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive description of every duty performed by the Health Care Assistant, but rather a guideline to help you to understand the type and nature of the duties you will be expected to undertake. In a small business such Awburn House flexibility in the duties undertaken and the hours worked are essential to achieve the objectives of a smooth running practice.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge, training and experience of HCA duties within General Practice.
• Experience of working with the general public, preferably within a service environment.
• Good administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work.
• Experience of using computers, with good keyboard skills, personal skills and abilities.
• Physical dexterity with the confidence to carry out clinical procedures e.g. phlebotomy, blood pressure measurement.
• The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of individuals, both verbally and in writing.
• A friendly and approachable manner, with good people skills, showing care and empathy.
• The ability to cope with occasional exposure to challenging behaviour, distressing circumstances or emotional events.
• The ability to work positively as a member of a busy team.
• Must have a full driving licence in order to undertake home visit appointments.
• A conscientious approach and the commitment to working in an adaptable and flexible manner.
• Willingness and ability to undertake any training required to carry out the role effectively and safely.
• The ability to give good and regular attendance.

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent.
• Previous experience working in hospitals or primary care.
• Previous experience with EMISWeb patient system however full training will be given if required.
• Previous experience using the Docman software however full training will be given if required.

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

Awburn House Medical Practice

Address

Mottram Moor

Mottram

Hyde

Cheshire

SK14 6LA

Employer's website

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