Job summary
Milborne Port Surgery is looking for a Health Care Assistant join our fantastic practice team.
We pride ourselves on being an exceptional practice with highly appreciative patients.
We are looking for a candidate who fits in well with the ethos of the practice.
Our priorities are great patient care, work-life balance and teamwork.
As a GP training practice we host GP trainees from the Dorset training scheme and we are supporting
numerous members of our team to gain additional professional
qualifications. We would support the right applicant to gain new skills and advance in their career.
The surgery prides itself on our very high patient satisfaction scores and continuity of care. We maintain the best of
traditional general practice, whilst adopting new
approaches that complement these values. We work as a team and maintain
an open door policy where all staff have a voice and are able to access
advice and support.
Our patients have made the following comments:
- Excellent service, friendly, efficient, always tell people how lucky we are with our GP Service.
- Can't thank all the surgery staff enough for their amazing service. It's by far the best out of previous surgeries.
Informal visits are encouraged so please get in touch and we will find a suitable time for you to come and meet the team and see the surgery for yourself.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will assist the GPs and other clinicians in the delivery of healthcare, with main responsibilities in the areas of delivering practical procedures such as taking blood samples, applying dressings and recording ECGs, gathering data from patients such as smoking status, weight, score charts indicating disease control, etc., and delivering basic health interventions such as providing standard, agreed advice on a selected range of conditions and lifestyle modifications.
Involvement in our in-house educational and multidisciplinary team meetings will add to job satisfaction and contribute to good patient care.
Our salaried GP says:
"I can honestly say [joining Milborne Port Surgery] was the best work-related decision I've made. We have a wonderful team, who work well together and are supportive. I was made to feel welcome from the start and ever since."
Please apply promptly if interested. We reserve the right to close applications early if suitable candidate(s) are found.
About us
Milborne
Port Surgery is a dispensing practice in a pretty rural village in South Somerset. It is close to the beautiful Abbey town
of Sherborne. There are excellent local schools (state and independent) and easy transport connections to London and
the beautiful Jurassic Coast.
The surgery is an exceptional practice with a
lovely team, light, airy rooms, countryside views, and appreciative patients.
Recent patient feedback: Family & Family test Feedback 96% - very good /
good.
We provide NHS services to 7250 patients with a well established team including 3 GP partners, 4 salaried GPs, 2 Advanced Nurse Practitioners, 2 Practice Nurses and 3 HCAs plus allied HCPs: Pharmacists, Musculoskeletal practitioner, Health Coaches and Community Mental Health Nurse. We are supported by an excellent reception and administrative team. We hold evening socials and enjoy plenty of cake - eaten frequently but in moderation!
We are an independent practice, and part of a Primary Care Network of like-minded rural practices, which grew out of a pre-existing collaboration to deliver transformed patient care as part of an innovative NHS Vanguard programme.
If you share our enthusiasm for the NHS, believe in the value of primary care and want to join a forward-thinking
team committed to patient and staff wellbeing we would be delighted to hear
from you. Milborne Port Surgery is an equal opportunities employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Brief Summary Follows. Formal job description available on application.
Overview of responsibilities
- Establish and maintain communication with a range of people in a form that is appropriate to them and the situation.
- Perform a variety of clinical tasks for which you have appropriate training
- Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in
an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems and
agreed clinical codes.
- Maintain stocks of clinical materials and equipment in consulting rooms
- Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions.
- Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others.
- Contribute to the improvement of services.
- Maintain quality in own work and encourage others to do the same.
- Support equality and value diversity, identifying when own or others behaviour undermines equality and diversity.
- Recognise and report situations where there might be a need for action to maintain a safe environment and report potential risks to patients, staff and the safe running of the practice in a timely manner.
- Preserve patient confidentiality and dignity, and treat patients with care and compassion.
Clinical Skills (whilst appropriate training will be arranged where an existing competency is not demonstrated / documented and the skill is needed, relevant pre-existing skills will be a favourable factor when considering applications):
- Undertake record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training.
- Measuring and recording:
- blood pressure
- pulse rate and rhythm
- blood oxygen saturation
- temperature
- capillary glucose concentration
- height and weight
- body mass index
- peak flow (air flow rate from lungs)
- Record ECGs (electrocardiograms)
- Fitting and removal of 24 hour ECG kits
- Venepuncture (collecting blood samples from patients via insertion of a needle in a vein)
- Urinalysis
- preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory.
- Data gathering, observing and correcting inhaler techniques for people with respiratory conditions.
- Data gathering and foot checks for people with diabetes.
- Ensure clinical rooms are clean and well stocked.
- Undertake dressing procedures following a plan from our trained nurses and/or where appropriately trained, in keeping with local recommendations, complying with infection control principles and practice.
- Perform spirometry on patients after full training and assessment of competence.
- Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence.
- Support clinicians in providing minor surgery.
- Plan, develop and implement ways of raising and promoting awareness of health and well-being, keeping records of what has been done.
- Provide support and encouragement to patients to self manage their conditions as appropriate.
- Administer vaccinations and injections such as influenza, pneumococcal and Vitamin B12
- Remove sutures and clips.
- Offering basic guidance on smoking cessation and directing patients to formal support where wanted.
- Act as a chaperone, when requested.
Additional responsibilities
- All team members are expected to take on some administrative, leadership or managerial duties according to their abilities and expertise, and often their personal interests. These should not be excessive and will not be the main role of a health care assistant.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Brief Summary Follows. Formal job description available on application.
Overview of responsibilities
- Establish and maintain communication with a range of people in a form that is appropriate to them and the situation.
- Perform a variety of clinical tasks for which you have appropriate training
- Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in
an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems and
agreed clinical codes.
- Maintain stocks of clinical materials and equipment in consulting rooms
- Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions.
- Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others.
- Contribute to the improvement of services.
- Maintain quality in own work and encourage others to do the same.
- Support equality and value diversity, identifying when own or others behaviour undermines equality and diversity.
- Recognise and report situations where there might be a need for action to maintain a safe environment and report potential risks to patients, staff and the safe running of the practice in a timely manner.
- Preserve patient confidentiality and dignity, and treat patients with care and compassion.
Clinical Skills (whilst appropriate training will be arranged where an existing competency is not demonstrated / documented and the skill is needed, relevant pre-existing skills will be a favourable factor when considering applications):
- Undertake record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training.
- Measuring and recording:
- blood pressure
- pulse rate and rhythm
- blood oxygen saturation
- temperature
- capillary glucose concentration
- height and weight
- body mass index
- peak flow (air flow rate from lungs)
- Record ECGs (electrocardiograms)
- Fitting and removal of 24 hour ECG kits
- Venepuncture (collecting blood samples from patients via insertion of a needle in a vein)
- Urinalysis
- preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory.
- Data gathering, observing and correcting inhaler techniques for people with respiratory conditions.
- Data gathering and foot checks for people with diabetes.
- Ensure clinical rooms are clean and well stocked.
- Undertake dressing procedures following a plan from our trained nurses and/or where appropriately trained, in keeping with local recommendations, complying with infection control principles and practice.
- Perform spirometry on patients after full training and assessment of competence.
- Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence.
- Support clinicians in providing minor surgery.
- Plan, develop and implement ways of raising and promoting awareness of health and well-being, keeping records of what has been done.
- Provide support and encouragement to patients to self manage their conditions as appropriate.
- Administer vaccinations and injections such as influenza, pneumococcal and Vitamin B12
- Remove sutures and clips.
- Offering basic guidance on smoking cessation and directing patients to formal support where wanted.
- Act as a chaperone, when requested.
Additional responsibilities
- All team members are expected to take on some administrative, leadership or managerial duties according to their abilities and expertise, and often their personal interests. These should not be excessive and will not be the main role of a health care assistant.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Attributes and Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal and communication skills including an ability to communicate sometimes complex issues in clear and readily understandable spoken English.
- Good written skills and clear concise record keeping.
- Works well in a team, supporting colleagues and seeking advice where necessary.
- Recognises limits of own practice and expertise.
- Honesty in dealing with others and in recording work activities and patient data
- Fitness to do the job.
- Ability to work within manual-handing policy
- Ability to handle simple medical equipment and undertake phlebotomy (dexterity and manipulation skills)
- Evidence of either Hepatitis B immunity or be willing to undergo an immunisation course
- Evidence of COVID vaccination and / or willingness to undergo vaccination when opportunity arises unless medically exempt and willing to provide proof of exempting conditions (vaccination anxiety or skepticism will not be accepted)
- Demonstrates motivation, reliability and commitment to team working and the development of others.
- Flexibility, commitment and adaptability. Demonstrates an ability to value the opinions of others
- Willingness to undergo education/ training for both practice and service needs
- Willingness to work towards professional and performance objectives
- Able to organise own time and workload, and cope with occasional last-minute changes
- Comfortable with change in working environment and working practices over time.
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and ability to maintain confidentiality in all relevant situations
Desirable
- Comfortable with change in working environment and working practices over time.
- Pre-existing relevant skills such as venepuncture, ECG recording, application of dressings (according to a plan from a trained nurse), cervical screening, correct inhaler techniques, etc..
- Ability to be flexible in providing cover or change in working schedules when needs arise, sometimes at short notice.
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of previous work, education or other activities requiring organisation, consistent application and attention to detail
- Evidence of previous work or other activities demonstrating ability to take a caring approach with people and communicate clearly and in a polite manner.
- Experience using computers in a working environment / non-leisure role.
Desirable
- Experience working in a healthcare setting, with relevant general practice experience being of particular benefit.
- Experience working in a role requiring skills similar to some or all of those required as per the job description summary. (e.g. working as a carer, in a veterinary environment, or pharmacy, etc..)
- Familiarity with EMIS Web or a similar medical records system.
Qualifications
Essential
- General education qualifications demonstrating a good level of numeracy and communication such as GCSEs in maths and english to grade C or above.
Desirable
- NVQ level 2 or better in healthcare support or similar.
- Qualifications in relevant skills such as phlebotomy (venepuncture).
- Evidence of relevant transferable skills from other employment / education.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Attributes and Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal and communication skills including an ability to communicate sometimes complex issues in clear and readily understandable spoken English.
- Good written skills and clear concise record keeping.
- Works well in a team, supporting colleagues and seeking advice where necessary.
- Recognises limits of own practice and expertise.
- Honesty in dealing with others and in recording work activities and patient data
- Fitness to do the job.
- Ability to work within manual-handing policy
- Ability to handle simple medical equipment and undertake phlebotomy (dexterity and manipulation skills)
- Evidence of either Hepatitis B immunity or be willing to undergo an immunisation course
- Evidence of COVID vaccination and / or willingness to undergo vaccination when opportunity arises unless medically exempt and willing to provide proof of exempting conditions (vaccination anxiety or skepticism will not be accepted)
- Demonstrates motivation, reliability and commitment to team working and the development of others.
- Flexibility, commitment and adaptability. Demonstrates an ability to value the opinions of others
- Willingness to undergo education/ training for both practice and service needs
- Willingness to work towards professional and performance objectives
- Able to organise own time and workload, and cope with occasional last-minute changes
- Comfortable with change in working environment and working practices over time.
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and ability to maintain confidentiality in all relevant situations
Desirable
- Comfortable with change in working environment and working practices over time.
- Pre-existing relevant skills such as venepuncture, ECG recording, application of dressings (according to a plan from a trained nurse), cervical screening, correct inhaler techniques, etc..
- Ability to be flexible in providing cover or change in working schedules when needs arise, sometimes at short notice.
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of previous work, education or other activities requiring organisation, consistent application and attention to detail
- Evidence of previous work or other activities demonstrating ability to take a caring approach with people and communicate clearly and in a polite manner.
- Experience using computers in a working environment / non-leisure role.
Desirable
- Experience working in a healthcare setting, with relevant general practice experience being of particular benefit.
- Experience working in a role requiring skills similar to some or all of those required as per the job description summary. (e.g. working as a carer, in a veterinary environment, or pharmacy, etc..)
- Familiarity with EMIS Web or a similar medical records system.
Qualifications
Essential
- General education qualifications demonstrating a good level of numeracy and communication such as GCSEs in maths and english to grade C or above.
Desirable
- NVQ level 2 or better in healthcare support or similar.
- Qualifications in relevant skills such as phlebotomy (venepuncture).
- Evidence of relevant transferable skills from other employment / education.
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).
Additional information
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).