Job summary
Queen Square Medical Practice
Health Care Assistant (Approx. 23 hrs/week)
You will be joining our 10-member nursing/HCA team.
DESIRABLE: - Experienced and motivated HCA. NVQ Level 3/BP/ ECGs. Access to a car is desirable in order to work at both sites.
ESSENTIAL; - Min 2yrs experience in general practice or other healthcare environment; phlebotomy, use of clinical computer system and flexibility to cover colleagues.
Indicative hours are: - Monday 8.00 am – 5.00 pm, Thursday 8.00 am – 5.00 pm and Friday 8.30 am – 5.00pm
We may be flexible with hours to suit the right candidate
Main duties of the job
Job summary
The
post holder works under indirect supervision of the senior practice nurse and
undertakes task and duties delegated by the senior practice nurse or a suitably
qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with the
general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and
procedures while providing supervision to more junior staff.
you will be expected to:
- 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
- Measuring and
recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations:
- blood pressure
- pulse rate and
rhythm
- temperature
- height and
weight - body mass index
- visual acuity
- venepuncture
- ECG
- glucose
tolerance tests
- Peak flow readings
The above list is not exhaustive please see full job description.
About us
Queen Square Medical Practice is a proudly independent, vibrant, friendly, and innovative practice. We have 9 GP partners and 4 associate GP's; nurse, pharmacist and paramedic practitioners who are supported by an excellent multi skilled nursing team and admin team. The management team work closely together.
In addition to normal GP services we run Travel, Sexual Health, Gynaecology, Fertility, Dermatology clinics. We are also a lead research practice. All this offers lots of variety and opportunity to develop and apply new skills.
We believe in strong clinical and management leadership with a clear emphasis on teamwork and adaptability to ensure a happy working environment and good work-life balance.
We work closely with local practices and other community partners whilst maintaining our independence. Our size and independence means we can offer a flexible supportive working environment in which staff have opportunities to develop and try new skills.
Join us and try something new!
Job description
Job responsibilities
Queen Square Medical Practice - Job Description
POST
TITLE: Health Care Assistant
Purpose: To assist the GPs and
practice nurse team in the service and delivery of the care management of the
practice population
Responsible to: Senior Practice Nurse
(Clinically),
Practice Manager and Director (Administratively)
Grade: See Contract
Hours: Indicative 23hrs/wk - as per contract
Job summary
The
post holder works under indirect supervision of the senior practice nurse and
undertakes task and duties delegated by the senior practice nurse or a suitably
qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with the
general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and
procedures while providing supervision to more junior staff.
Key responsibilities
Communication
- Communicate
effectively with other team members
- Communicate
effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for
alternative methods of communication
Personal and people development
- Take
responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, including
participating in supervision
- Take
responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
- Work with
management on any new training requirements
- 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 an HCA
Health, safety and security
- Use 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 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:
- hand washing
- universal
hygiene procedures
- collection and
handling of laboratory specimens
- segregation and
disposal of waste materials
- decontamination
of instruments and clinical equipment
- reporting and
treatment of sharps injuries
- dealing with
blood and body fluid spillages
- Assist patients
and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures
- 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
- 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
- Act as a
Chaperone for doctors/nurses colleagues as required
Service improvement
- Be aware of and,
if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit
- Work with
colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and
other initiatives
- Maintain the
notice board in the waiting room and promote good health with educational
material
- Deal with
requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets
Quality
- 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, especially the whistle-blowing policy, available in
the practice staff handbook
- Be able to
manage your own time effectively
Equality and diversity
- 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
Clinical skills – health and well-being
- 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
- Measuring and
recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations:
- blood pressure
- pulse rate and
rhythm
- temperature
- height and
weight - body mass index
- visual acuity
- venepuncture
- ECG
- glucose
tolerance tests
- peak flow
readings
- Prepare and
maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care
interventions
- Assist regulated
professional while patients undergoing minor surgery or IUD/IUCD
procedures
- Assist in
raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted
- Give accurate
and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence
- Undertake simple
dressing procedures following local recommendations and using aseptic
techniques
- Where
appropriate, provide support and encouragement to self manage their
conditions
- Have a basic
understanding of long term conditions including diagnostic interventions,
treatments, and the principles of care and self management
- Plan, develop
and implement health promotion activities as appropriate e.g. smoking,
exercise and diet
- Assess patients
readiness to change and provide motivational support as appropriate in
cases of smoking, obesity and healthy living for older people
- To administer
the influenza and pneumococcal vaccine under indirect supervision of a
regulated professional
- To gain the
underpinning knowledge and practical skills to administer basic life
support if necessary
Information processes
- Record
information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an
accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as
appropriate
- Maintain
confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and
the practice
- Take the
necessary precautions when transmitting information
The above list is not
exhaustive and you may be asked to undertake any other duties as may be
reasonably requested for the smooth running of the Practice
Job description
Job responsibilities
Queen Square Medical Practice - Job Description
POST
TITLE: Health Care Assistant
Purpose: To assist the GPs and
practice nurse team in the service and delivery of the care management of the
practice population
Responsible to: Senior Practice Nurse
(Clinically),
Practice Manager and Director (Administratively)
Grade: See Contract
Hours: Indicative 23hrs/wk - as per contract
Job summary
The
post holder works under indirect supervision of the senior practice nurse and
undertakes task and duties delegated by the senior practice nurse or a suitably
qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with the
general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and
procedures while providing supervision to more junior staff.
Key responsibilities
Communication
- Communicate
effectively with other team members
- Communicate
effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for
alternative methods of communication
Personal and people development
- Take
responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, including
participating in supervision
- Take
responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
- Work with
management on any new training requirements
- 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 an HCA
Health, safety and security
- Use 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 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:
- hand washing
- universal
hygiene procedures
- collection and
handling of laboratory specimens
- segregation and
disposal of waste materials
- decontamination
of instruments and clinical equipment
- reporting and
treatment of sharps injuries
- dealing with
blood and body fluid spillages
- Assist patients
and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures
- 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
- 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
- Act as a
Chaperone for doctors/nurses colleagues as required
Service improvement
- Be aware of and,
if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit
- Work with
colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and
other initiatives
- Maintain the
notice board in the waiting room and promote good health with educational
material
- Deal with
requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets
Quality
- 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, especially the whistle-blowing policy, available in
the practice staff handbook
- Be able to
manage your own time effectively
Equality and diversity
- 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
Clinical skills – health and well-being
- 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
- Measuring and
recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations:
- blood pressure
- pulse rate and
rhythm
- temperature
- height and
weight - body mass index
- visual acuity
- venepuncture
- ECG
- glucose
tolerance tests
- peak flow
readings
- Prepare and
maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care
interventions
- Assist regulated
professional while patients undergoing minor surgery or IUD/IUCD
procedures
- Assist in
raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted
- Give accurate
and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence
- Undertake simple
dressing procedures following local recommendations and using aseptic
techniques
- Where
appropriate, provide support and encouragement to self manage their
conditions
- Have a basic
understanding of long term conditions including diagnostic interventions,
treatments, and the principles of care and self management
- Plan, develop
and implement health promotion activities as appropriate e.g. smoking,
exercise and diet
- Assess patients
readiness to change and provide motivational support as appropriate in
cases of smoking, obesity and healthy living for older people
- To administer
the influenza and pneumococcal vaccine under indirect supervision of a
regulated professional
- To gain the
underpinning knowledge and practical skills to administer basic life
support if necessary
Information processes
- Record
information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an
accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as
appropriate
- Maintain
confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and
the practice
- Take the
necessary precautions when transmitting information
The above list is not
exhaustive and you may be asked to undertake any other duties as may be
reasonably requested for the smooth running of the Practice
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Literacy and numeracy skills
- Basic computer experience
- Willingness to undertake an NVQ or an equivalent qualification
- Demonstrates a basic understanding of the needs of the patient and the role of the HCA
- Willing to develop clinical skills and competency relevant to the role e.g. phlebotomy skills
- Has customer care experience or experience of being a carer
- Demonstrates motivation, reliability and commitment to team working and the development of others
- Flexible, reliable and responsive to change
- Demonstrates an ability to value the opinions of others
- Willingness to undergo education/ training for both practice and service needs
- Willingness to work towards professional and performance objectives (appraisal)
- Manual dexterity and manipulation skills
- Ability to handle simple medical equipment e.g. ECG machine
- Ability to assist others with the delivery of care e.g. assisting in minor surgery
- Fitness to do the job within manual-handing policy
- Concentration required daily, e.g. Ability to deal with occasional exposure to distressing circumstances or emotional events
- Ability to cope with occasional exposure to aggressive behaviour
- Ability to work with competing priorities
- Ability to deal tactfully and empathetically with distressed or anxious patients and carers
- Personal physical contact with patients
- Ability to work with high patient turnover and a pressurised environment on a daily basis
- Must be able to travel between sites and undertake occasional home visits
- Able to communicate routine information that requires tact and persuasive skills, or where there may be barriers to understanding
- Ability to communicate effectively via telephone or group discussion
- Good interpersonal skills
- Participate in the care of equipment
- Undertake stock control
- Must either be Hepatitis B immune or be willing to undergo an immunisation course
- Covid vaccination status will need to be checked
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- Up to date Basic Life Support training
- EDCL (European Computer Driving Licence)
- Understands issues regarding accountability and delegation
- Clinical skills and competency relevant to the role e.g. Phlebotomy experience
- Following appropriate education and training has the ability to undertake the administration of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine
- Experience working in a general practice or other healthcare environment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Literacy and numeracy skills
- Basic computer experience
- Willingness to undertake an NVQ or an equivalent qualification
- Demonstrates a basic understanding of the needs of the patient and the role of the HCA
- Willing to develop clinical skills and competency relevant to the role e.g. phlebotomy skills
- Has customer care experience or experience of being a carer
- Demonstrates motivation, reliability and commitment to team working and the development of others
- Flexible, reliable and responsive to change
- Demonstrates an ability to value the opinions of others
- Willingness to undergo education/ training for both practice and service needs
- Willingness to work towards professional and performance objectives (appraisal)
- Manual dexterity and manipulation skills
- Ability to handle simple medical equipment e.g. ECG machine
- Ability to assist others with the delivery of care e.g. assisting in minor surgery
- Fitness to do the job within manual-handing policy
- Concentration required daily, e.g. Ability to deal with occasional exposure to distressing circumstances or emotional events
- Ability to cope with occasional exposure to aggressive behaviour
- Ability to work with competing priorities
- Ability to deal tactfully and empathetically with distressed or anxious patients and carers
- Personal physical contact with patients
- Ability to work with high patient turnover and a pressurised environment on a daily basis
- Must be able to travel between sites and undertake occasional home visits
- Able to communicate routine information that requires tact and persuasive skills, or where there may be barriers to understanding
- Ability to communicate effectively via telephone or group discussion
- Good interpersonal skills
- Participate in the care of equipment
- Undertake stock control
- Must either be Hepatitis B immune or be willing to undergo an immunisation course
- Covid vaccination status will need to be checked
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- Up to date Basic Life Support training
- EDCL (European Computer Driving Licence)
- Understands issues regarding accountability and delegation
- Clinical skills and competency relevant to the role e.g. Phlebotomy experience
- Following appropriate education and training has the ability to undertake the administration of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine
- Experience working in a general practice or other healthcare environment
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.
