Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will ideally have experience of working in the primary care/community setting. They will demonstrate safe and effective patient care to the practice population and act within their professional boundaries. Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary general practice team to ensure the highest standard of patient care. The post holder will build effective working relationships with other health care professionals and will work within the team of nurses and healthcare assistants to deliver excellent service to patients within the North Denbighshire cluster

Role/Job Summary:

Support the specialist Nursing/HCA teams in providing an effective level of care to the practice patient population.

Undertake tasks and duties as delegated by the nurse leader or suitably qualified regulated professional.

Ensure own actions are professional and consistent with practice policy/protocols.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Care to provide:

1. Phlebotomy

2. ECG recording.

3. Performing routine and opportunistic BP checks, height, weight, BMI & urinalysis.

4. Chaperoning duties.

5. Assist in raising awareness of health & wellbeing giving accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within your area of competence.

With additional training:

1. Fitting 24-hour Blood Pressure (BP) monitor and loan of BP machines.
2. Anticoagulation monitoring under supervision and in line with current guidance
3. Support practice nurses in providing services for patients with Chronic Disease in line with practice and national protocol/policies.
4. Refer as appropriate to GP or chronic conditions Nurse.
5. Prepare and maintain environments and equipment, before, during and after patient care interventions.
6. Maintain adequate stock levels in the Practice Nurse Treatment rooms and GP clinical rooms as/when necessary.

Health, Safety/Security and Infection Control:

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all the duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, statutory regulations and practice policies/procedures.

1. Be aware of and apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines.
2. Adhering to universal hand hygiene procedures.
3. Use correct methods for handling specimens to be sent to the laboratory.
4. Use correct methods / protocols for reporting and treating sharps injuries.
5. Manage blood and body fluid spillages appropriately.
6. Understand and apply principles of the cold chain.
7. Ensure safe storage, rotation of vaccines within area of responsibility.
8. Be aware of child and adult safeguarding protection.
9. Be familiar with Health & Safety policies and procedures within the work place, including fire procedures, maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintaining equipment within your area of responsibility.

Vaccination/ Immunisation with additional training

1. Provide adult influenza and pneumococcal immunisations in line with specific protocol and Patient Group Direction.
2. Competent and up to date with anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques/ procedures.

Administration

1. Organise and prioritise own workload.

2. Maintain accurate patient records of consultations and computer data entry.

3. Maintain patient confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives and practice staff.

Education/Personal Development

1. Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development learning and performance, including participating in supervision and in line with the requirements of practice needs.
2. To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary health care team

Equality and Diversity

1. Behave in a manner that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting then in a way that is consistent with procedures.
2. Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
3. Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour.

Note:

This job description is not exhaustive or definitive and should be regarded only as a guideline to the duties required. The role may be expanded/amended in light of practice demands and changing circumstances following full consultation with the post holder.

The post holder will be expected to undertake further CPD training and updates as required and appropriate for the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to professional and role development.
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multidisciplinary skilled team.
• Excellent record keeping/IT skills
• Clinical knowledge of how to carry out basic tests i.e., blood pressure, pulse, testing urine.
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to drive/travel across the North Denbighshire cluster
• Clean driving license
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy.
• Desire to help, assist and improve the lives of patients
• Qualified in Phlebotomy
• Experience of working in primary care /community setting

Desirable

• Experience of IT system EMIS
• Health and social Care qualification or NVQ level 2 or 3.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in a patient facing role
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy.
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing sensitive information.
• Ability to provide and maintain a high quality of care.
• Experience of working in General Practice/ community setting

Desirable

• Experience of working with the IT clinical system EMIS

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

Dr Dobson and Partners

Address

Clarence Medical Centre

West Kinmel Street

Rhyl

Denbighshire

LL18 1DA

Employer's website

https://www.clarencemedicalrhyl.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)