Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description

Job Title: Health Care Assistant (HCA)

Accountable to: Practice Manager and Partners

Purpose: To assist the GPs and practice nurse team in the service and delivery of the care management of the practice population

The post holder is supervised by the GP Partners clinically and Practice Manager for all other subjects. Doctors and Nurse Team indirectly allocate work and create tasks as routine. The postholder is a member of the Nurse Team and will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and procedures.

• Communicate effectively with other team members
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication

• Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance.
• 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 a HCA

• 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:

1. hand washing
2. universal hygiene procedures
3. collection and handling of laboratory specimens
4. segregation and disposal of waste materials
5. decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment
6. reporting and treatment of sharps injuries
7. dealing with blood and body fluid spillages
8. 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 laboratories
• To assist with routine observations, ear syringing and minor dressings
• Assist with Minor Operations
• Assisting with Baby Immunisation clinics
• Carrying out seasonal flu clinics.
• Assist with lifestyle checks (including smoking cessation advice) offering advice based on the practice protocol and leaflets.
• Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations, and for pre medical checks:

1. Blood Pressure

2. Pulse Rate And Rhythm

3. Temperature

4. Height And Weight - Body Mass Index

5. Venepuncture

6. ECG

• Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions

• 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

Any other duties

• Any duties commensurate with the role.
• Attend regular Staff meetings & learning events.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrate experience within a health care setting
• Display ability to provide quality care
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good organisational skills
• Good team working skills
• Effective time management skills
• Ability to work independently following verbal or written instructions
• Adaptable to change
• Computer literate
• Display knowledge of Infection Control

Desirable

• Previous work in GP Practice
• Use clinical IT system
• Skills in Phlebotomy, ECGs, Patient Health Checks, Blood Pressures
• First aid
• Health and safety awareness
• Awareness of Viruses

Qualifications

Essential

• Good General Education

Desirable

• Qualified in Phlebotomy
• Qualified to NVQ level 3

Personal Qualities

Essential

• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
• Able to work on own initiative
• Able to work under pressure and remain calm
• Flexible and adaptable
• Aware of own limitations
• Keen to develop

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

York Street Medical Practice

Address

146-148 York Street

Cambridge

CB1 2PY

Employer's website

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