Health Care Assistant

Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties

To act in such a manner as to support the client/patient at all times and be mindful of the need to reduce anxiety for the client/patient.

To provide a phlebotomy service for patients.

To conduct New Patient Medicals for newly registered patients to the practice

To undertake appropriate clinical work in support of QOF

To undertake ear irrigation in accordance with local policy

To be responsible for the re-stocking of all clinical areas and maintaining a stock rotation system.

To assist in restocking clinical area with supplies and health promotion materials as agreed with GPs/Nursing Team and to restock rooms as appropriate.

To assist in general nursing duties, under the supervision of the Practice Nursing Team, i.e. Urine testing, weight/height, blood pressure measurements, ECG recording, spirometry, peak flow measurements, smoking cessation advice and any other duties that may be assigned as necessary.

To ensure that drug/vaccine refrigerators are at the correct temperature on a daily basis and maintain the Vaccine Cold Chain documented record according to Practice Guidelines, in the absence of designated Nurse.

To act as a chaperone as required to GPs and Practice Nurses.

To participate in the induction programme of staff new to the practice

To receive and document telephone messages as and when necessary and communicate to other members of the clinical team as appropriate.

To maintain health information notice board in line with national/local health promotion campaigns.

To undertake appropriate formal training as required by the Practice.

General Duties

To function as an integral part of the Primary Health Care Team.

To attend relevant clinical meetings as required.

To have knowledge of and act at all times within the boundaries of Health and Safety legislation and Data Protection acts.

To report immediately to a member of the clinical staff or the Operations Manager any acts of omission or error to safeguard the interest of the patient.

Professional Development

To participate in an annual individual performance review

To maintain a professional development plan and submit annually

To maintain own clinical development through periods of study as agreed within the contract of employment.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• 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

Desirable

• Basic IT Skills
• Knowledge in SystmOne
• Skills in Phlebotomy, ECGs, Patient Health Checks, Blood Pressures
• Basic first aid knowledge
• Health and Safety awareness
• Awareness of Blood Borne Viruses
• Skills in treatment room duties (dressings, ear syringes, suture removal, minor op assistance)
• Infection Control awareness

Qualifications

Essential

• Good General Education
• Qualified in Phlebotomy

Desirable

• Qualified to NVQ level 3

Experience

Essential

• Experience within a health care setting

Desirable

• Experience in GP Practice

Qualities and Attributes

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).