Job responsibilities
Working under the supervision of the Doctors, the role of
the HCA is to provide clinical
support to the Doctors and Nurses in the practice.
This will include providing advice to patients within a consultation and
by telephone about lifestyle, taking blood and other specimens for testing,
arranging investigations eg. checking blood pressures, ECG, BMI,
urinalysis, new patient health checks, following up patients who have been
recalled for routine chronic disease management and all the necessary
administrative support required within this role.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To carry out health
assessments with patients on a face-to-face basis, which
includes finding out details of medical history, current health problems,
diseases etc. and completing any necessary paperwork and recording
information onto the computer.
To provide a blood pressure monitoring
service offering a range of appointments for patients who may be
referred into the clinic by a Doctor.
To undertake urinalysis, which involves
taking samples and carrying out the analysis.
To provide a phlebotomy service by
taking blood samples.
To ensure specimens are labelled and
bagged ready for collection and transport to the laboratory with the
necessary paperwork completed.
To provide lifestyle advice to patients making
any necessary referrals within the practice.
To provide a weight monitoring service.
To provide
a chaperone service to Doctors if required.
To ensure that drug fridges are checked
and maintained at the correct temperature on a regular basis and
that drugs are within their expiry dates and used in correct sequence.
To carry out ECGs.
To carry out vaccinations and injections (flu, shingles, pneumonia, B12)
OTHER DUTIES
To ensure that accurate and legible
notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the
computerised patient record.
To ensure accurate completion of all
necessary documentation associated with patient health care
and registration with the practice.
To attend and participate in practice
meetings regularly.
To contact patients by telephone when
necessary to discuss aspects of their health care.
To adhere to the practice policy for
health and safety and to the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
To participate in audit as required.
COMMUNICATION
To discuss aspects of health care with
patients through face-to-face contact or by telephone.
To discuss patient care with doctors
through face-to-face contact or by electronic means.
To work closely with reception and other
staff and to liaise with other members of the practice team.
TRAINING
& DEVELOPMENT
To
undertake mandatory training including Basic Life Support on an annual basis.
To identify
personal training and learning needs and to discuss at annual
appraisal.
To contribute to the appraisal process.
To participate in education and training
programmes.
ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
To work with the Doctors/Practice Manager
to plan and organise personal workload and discuss
priorities.
To adhere to the clinical protocols and
procedures adopted by the practice at all times.
To utilise
computer templates and coding systems to ensure the accuracy of patient specific data
recorded on the computer.
To have knowledge of and adhere to all
policies and procedures incorporating health and safety,
COSHH, the reporting of accidents or incidents (including significant
events).
To attend and contribute to staff
meetings.
To be receptive of and participate in
discussions concerning working practices and to put forward ideas
for the development of services.
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
To maintain a high standard of care and
encourage patients/carers to participate in that care.
To participate in the promotion of
health and prevention of ill health.
To be responsible for the care,
maintenance and correct use of clinical equipment.
To work at all times to reduce risk,
maximise quality of life and promote independence, under the direction of
qualified staff.
To report any changes in a patients
condition or circumstances seeking advice and guidance from a Doctor.
To ensure an up to date knowledge of
practice protocols is maintained.
To attend study days, seminars and
courses as required (keep records).
To have an annual appraisal.
To maintain patient confidentiality at
all times.
To ensure that working practices meet
with the standards of infection control, including the use of
equipment and the transfer of specimens to the laboratory.
This job
description may be subject to change from time to time to reflect the changing
needs of the practice but it is a correct reflection of the type of duties that
need to be undertaken.