Health Care Assistant in General Practice

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, and record findings accurately in EMIS

Carry out 'first part' annual reviews for chronic diseases e.g hypertension, diabetes, CVD etc

Facilitate routine and 24-hour BP monitoring

Carry out ECGs (training will be provided)

Carry out BMI checks and provide weight management advice and referrals

Carry out Spirometry tests (training will be provided)

Requesting pathology tests, for example urine culture

Intramuscular injections under PSD

Undertake wound care following a management plan and carry out simple dressings

Removal of stitches, staple & sutures

Undertake NHS Health Checks

Processing of samples e.g. urine following our pathway

Check vaccine refrigerators daily and record temperature (vaccine/cold chain storage, monitoring and recording)

Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation

Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session

Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the practice IPC policy

Medical equipment and vaccine ordering, stocking control and rotation

Preparing and maintaining environments and equipment

Act as a chaperone as required

Participating in administrative tasks to support the practice in meeting QOF targets

Phlebotomy

Urinalysis and specimen processing

Chaperoning duties

Blood pressure Recording

B12, Flu, pneumococcal, shingles and vaccinations

Pre- diabetes and diet/lifestyle advice

Defibrillator, first aid and emergency equipment checks

Manage the gestational & pre diabetes recall system

QOF work

Any other duties required to support the practice within this role.

The successful candidate will ideally have experience working within a General Practice setting. The post holder will have clinical system experience and knowledge of entering patient information onto the system

Health and Safety

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in our Health & Safety Policy. This will include:

• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
• Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
• Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised
• Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holders role
• Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually)
• Reporting potential risks identified
• Equality and Diversity

To carry out at all times their responsibilities in line with Equal Opportunities Policy and Procedure

Risk Management and Clinical Governance

Confidentiality

To maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients & staff and other users of the services in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 including outside of the work environment. Any breach of confidentiality may render an individual liable for dismissal and/or prosecution

Safeguarding

• Whilst in post, staff are expected to acquire and update their knowledge on safeguarding.
• Staff are expected to report any safeguarding issues to the Lead

Professional development

• The post holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment
• To participate in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development

This job description is not exhaustive and may be adjusted periodically after review and consultation. You will also be expected to carry out any reasonable additional duties which may be requested by management/Partners.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Excellent keyboard and computer skills,
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral with the ability to communicate confidently,
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information,
• Excellent interpersonal skills,
• Excellent assessment skills,
• Good decision making, communication and organisational skills,
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with people at all levels,
• Good IT skills to enable accurate recording of consultations,
• Committed to ongoing development,
• Adaptable and flexible to work additional hours including extended access hours,
• Ability to work under pressure,
• A team player,
• Enthusiasm and energy,
• Good verbal communication skills,
• Good written communication skills,
• Full understanding of the importance of Patient Confidentiality,
• Ability to prioritise personal work,
• Understanding of Equal Opportunities and Equality & Diversity,
• Professional manner and appearance,
• Able to work flexible hours as required,

Desirable

• Knowledge of Information Governance and Caldicott Principles,
• Understanding of Clinical Governance

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a healthcare setting, ideally within primary care
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes,
• Consistently confidential, compassionate and respectful approach, placing a high value on the dignity of patients, relatives, carers and colleagues,
• Taking bloods,
• Taking blood pressure, pulse, height, weight,
• Giving flu, pneumonia and B12 vaccinations,
• Dressings

Desirable

• Competent user of Microsoft Office software,
• Use of clinical IT systems (EMIS,
• Experience of running your own clinics with timed appointments,

Qualifications

Essential

• Good standard of education including qualification in English & Maths GCSE grade A-C or equivalent,
• Appropriate healthcare qualification/certificate,
• Phlebotomy,
• Vaccinations including Flu and B12

Desirable

• Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care,
• Spirometry,
• ECG,

Qualities, Attributes & Other skills

Essential

• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense,
• Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities,
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi skilled team,
• Able to work under pressure, remaining professional at all times,
• Good time management and ability to work to deadlines and plan and prioritise effectively,
• Flexible to meet the demands of the post and the ability to adapt to a changing environment,
• Able to work on own initiative, but recognise and asking for support when required,
• Trustworthy,
• Self-motivated,
• Ability to communicate effectively and to understand the needs of the patient,
• Problem solving with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required,
• Flexibility and an adaptable approach,
• Commitment to ongoing professional development,
• Ability to work as part of a team,
• Other
• Essential
• Ability to be flexible in working times to meet needs of service,
• Able to cover for colleagues planned and unplanned absence,
• Good attendance record

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

Imeary Street Surgery

Address

Stanhope Parade Health Centre

Gordon Street

South Shields

Tyne And Wear

NE33 4JP

Employer's website

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