Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

General

The HCA will be aware of and comply with the practices Health and Safety Policy.

This will include:

• Minimising risk to self and others in the workplace.
• Identifying and reporting hazards/risks and contributing to control measures.
• Adhering to all relevant policies including infection control, cold chain
• Contributing to keeping the working area and patient areas tidy and free from hazards.
• Using protective equipment and clothing provided and in accordance with the practices policy.
• Handling specimens and clinical waste/sharps in accordance with practice policy.
• Applying correctly spill control and decontamination policies
• Ensuring sufficient supplies of all cleansing and infection control materials.
• Attending regular health and safety training.

Specific

Record fridge temperatures, clean fridges, promptly report temperature variations from standard.

Prepare clinical areas between patients in accordance with infection control procedures including cleaning surfaces and equipment

Dispose of all clinical waste/sharps in accordance with practices infection control protocol.

Clean/maintain all equipment in accordance with infection control and equipment maintenance policies.

Take action to manage spills or decontaminate affected areas.

Supplies management

Check stock in all clinical rooms.

Order replacement stock and restock clinical rooms.

Maintain accurate stock records, including liaison with Practice Manager by providing order confirmations for invoice checking.

Order most economic supplies available and use with economy.

Order and maintain stock of health information leaflets and keep displays up to date.

Equipment maintenance and calibration

Contribute to care and maintenance of equipment.

Organise repair and regular maintenance and calibration of equipment, including equipment maintenance/checking/calibration log.

Communication

Advise patients of the HCA role, its extent and limits.

Advise patients appropriately and refer on if they require the services of a nurse, GP or other clinical team member.

Communicate patient registration and clinical details to trained staff for further care and when concerns, questions or uncertainty of any kind arise.

Communicate effectively, promptly and appropriately with patients and team members.

Modify method of communication with patients to suit the situation, recognise problems/barriers and seek help at an early stage when they arise.

Personal development

The HCA will:

Undertake training needed to ensure competencies for delivering all responsibilities.

Attend and contribute to in-house training events.

Take responsibility for own development including staff appraisals, giving and receiving feedback, performance management with the support and supervision of qualified staff.

Undertake regular mandatory training (child protection, vulnerable adults, basic life support, moving and handling etc).

Confidentiality

In the course of their duties, the HCA will have access to confidential information relating to patients, their carers and relatives and colleagues within and outside the practice. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business. All such information from any source whatsoever will be treated as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, their carers and relatives and colleagues within and outside the practice and in relation to the practice as a business will only be shared in accordance with the practices Confidentiality Policy, the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act and in such a way that personal and sensitive patient-identifiable data is protected

Equality and Diversity

The HCA will comply with the practices Equality and Diversity Policy, including:

• Recognising the rights of patients, carers, relatives and colleagues and respecting their needs, beliefs, privacy and dignit
• Not discriminating against patients, carers, relatives or colleagues on the grounds of any of the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 (or its amendments or later legislation

Other Duties

HCAs may, from time to time, be asked to undertake other reasonable duties, with appropriate training. It is important that all members of staff are prepared to undertake additional or relinquish current duties to maintain service delivery to patients. It is expected that requests from the Partners/Management Team/Lead Practice Nurse will not be unreasonably refused.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
• Phlebotomy accredited
• Immunisation and Vaccination-accredited

Skills and Knowledge

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

Experience

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
• 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
• Full UK Driving license and own transport

Desirable

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

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

SHENLEY GREEN SURGERY

Address

22 Shenley Green

Birmingham

B29 4HH

Employer's website

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