Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

Working under the direct supervision of the Nursing Team and in accordance with the Practice guidelines and protocols, the Healthcare Assistant will assist and support the effective and efficient delivery of patient clinical services.

Delivering Remarkable Customer Service

Underlining everything you do is the requirement to play your part in the delivery of remarkable customer services to our patients, internal colleagues and external stakeholders. This applies in all of your dealings. There are many elements to delivering remarkable customer service but common throughout are requirements to listen and be responsive, always ensure patient and customer messages and requests are passed on and ensure any mistakes or omissions and possible improvements that are identified are shared with your manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

Phlebotomy

ECG recording

Basic observation recording

Basic Dressings

Wound care management using aseptic technique

Suture clip and removal

Urinalysis

Spirometry

Chaperoning duties

Processing and management of laboratory samples requested by Doctors/Nurses

Sterilising, cleansing and maintenance of surgical equipment

Vaccine/cold chain storage, monitoring and recording

Clearing and re-stocking consulting rooms

Preparing and maintaining environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions

Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients health and well-being

Undertaking specific clinical activities for named patients that have been delegated and taught specifically in relation to that individual

New patient and NHS Health Checks including blood pressure, height, weight, BMI, urinalysis, smoking status and other lifestyle factors.

Helping to raise awareness of health and well-being and how it can be promoted

Assisting with the collection and collation of data on needs related to health and well-being

Provide administrative support to the childhood immunisation programme,

Ensure the safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccinations.

Ensure appropriate supplies of medical consumables are maintained and that appropriate checks on stock levels and expiry dates.

To maintain a safe and effective level of practice and to bring any areas of concern deficits in training to the attention of the Specialist Nurse/Practice Manager so these can be addressed.

To act in a professional manner at all times and adhere to practice policies, protocols and guidelines.

Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. Ensuring that patient issues are only discussed with professionals within the practice team and are never discussed outside the practice.

Ensure adherence to and compliance with appropriate Infection Control guidelines including universal hygiene precautions, collecting, handling and storage of specimens, segregation and disposal of waste materials, decontamination of clinical equipment, reporting of sharps injuries, dealing with blood and body fluid spillages and educating colleagues in sound infection control measures

Be able to recognise the signs, symptoms and categories of child abuse and adult safeguarding concerns and be able to document and raise concerns in accordance with practice protocols.

Demonstrate a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act/Deprivation of Liberties and apply principles to everyday

Demonstrate good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the Registered Nurse or registered care professional as required.

Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures.

Engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions and reflecting on answers given.

Assist with the implementation and monitoring of clinical standards and outcomes.

Develop understanding of caring for individuals with particular conditions for example dementia, mental illness, learning disabilities.

Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times.

Other Tasks

Duties may be varied from time to time under the direction of the Practice Business Manager and or Lead Nurse, dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels.

Administrative and Professional Responsibilities

- Ensure accurate and legible notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients electronic records.

- Ensure the clinical computer system is kept up to date with accurate details recorded.

- Ensure appropriate claims are made accurately, reporting any problems to the Practice Manager.

- Ensure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient health care and registration with the practice

- Attend and participate in meetings as required.

Training and Personal Development

-Training requirements will be monitored by yearly appraisal and will be in accordance with practice requirements.

- Personal development will be encouraged and supported by the Practice. It is the individuals' responsibility to remain up to date with recent developments.

- Liaise with Nurse Specialist/Practice Manager regarding training programme.

- Maintain continued education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary for professional development.

- Develop and maintain a Personal Learning Plan including a training log.

Quality

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will:

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources

Communication

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

• Communicate effectively with other team members
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers
• Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

Contribution to the Implementation of Services

The post-holder will:

• Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
• Participate in audit where appropriate

Communication and Liaison

As well as the nursing team there is a need to work closely with all departments of the practice to ensure the smooth running of the practice, reporting any problems encountered to the relevant person.

Internal:

• GPs and other healthcare professionals
• Practice manager
• Other practice support staff

External:

• Patients
• Community Staff
• Secondary Care
• Care Homes

Liaise with and assist:

• Other members of the practice team
• Community Staff
• Secondary Care Hospitals and Outpatients departments
• Wholesalers as required
• Pharmaceutical representatives as required
• Health Authority

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Great communication skills
• Customer Service skills/ Patient focussed
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Computer skills
• Organisational skills
• Effective time management skills
• Confident around other Health Professionals
• Great communication skills
• Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports

Desirable

• Knowledge of community development approaches
• Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills
• Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the PCN

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working directly in a healthcare assistant role, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work)
• Experience working within a GP Practice

Desirable

• Demonstrates an understanding of Clinical Governance skill
• Health and Safety Awareness
• Basic first aid knowledge
• Basic knowledge about Blood Borne Diseases

Personal Attributes and Qualities

Essential

• Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person centred support in a non-judgemental way
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Adaptable to change
• Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people in all communities
• Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
• Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders.
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
• Demonstrates personal accountability, emotional resilience and works well under pressure
• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines
• High level of written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work flexibly within a team or on own initiative

Desirable

• Full UK Driving license and own transport

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent

Desirable

• Phlebotomy accredited
• Immunisation and Vaccination accredited
• Ear Syringing accredited

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

Grove Medical Practice

Address

Cromwell Place

St Ives

Cambridgeshire

PE27 5JD

Employer's website

https://www.cromwellplacesurgery.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)