Job responsibilities
Key responsibilities
1. Check patient identification and confirm details with the patient.
2. Provide Phlebotomy in accordance with training and procedures
3. Take ear, throat and skin swabs as directed by the GP/Lead Nurse/ANP
4. Take physiological measurements from patients including blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm, temperature, height and weight (body mass index), visual acuity, urinalysis
5. Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient interventions
6. Give accurate and appropriate information to patients within own competence
7. Ensure that anomalies are reported to a senior member of the clinical team
8. Notify a GP/Lead Nurse/ANP of any significant patient issues
9. Ensure full and accurate recording in the patients computerised records
10. Carry out administrative tasks for example, but not limited to, call and recall activities and stock takes as directed by senior members of the service
Special requirements of the post
1. An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
Health & Safety
Assist in promoting and maintaining own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy to include
1. Responsible for the correct and safe management of the specimens process including collection, labelling, handling, use of correct and clean containers, storage and transport arrangements
2. Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
3. Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks
4. Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
5. Reporting potential risks identified
6. Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain
7. Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within the area of responsibility
8. Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate
9. Be aware of statutory child health procedures
Communication
Recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and strive to:
1. Communicate effectively with primary care team members
2. Communicate effectively with patients and carers
3. Ensure good working relationships and communication with all staff
4. Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment
5. Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating and responding accordingly
6. Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication
Delivering a quality service
Strive to maintain quality within the service, including
1. Apply local policies, standards and guidance
2. Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
3. Participate in audit where appropriate
4. Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
5. Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
6. Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
7. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patient needs
8. Effectively manage own time, workload and resources
9. Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the practice
10. Evaluate the patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care
11. Support and participate in shared learning across the service
12. Participate in the management and review of patient complaints, and identify learning from clinical incidents and near-miss events using a structured framework (eg root-cause analysis)
13. Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and local guidance
Learning and development
Participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include:
HCA JD & PS Feb 2023
1. Participate in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development
2. Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work
3. Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate
4. Make effective use of learning opportunities within and outside the workplace, evaluating their effectiveness and feeding back relevant information
5. Ensure continual professional development is undertaken and evidence maintained
Equality and diversity
Support the equality, diversity and rights of the patient, carers and colleagues, to include:
1. Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies and current legislation
2. Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
3. Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights
4. Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights
5. Act as a role model in the observance of equality and diversity good practice
6. Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers, participate in care and refuse care
The Job Description will be subject to periodic review and amendment in consultation with the post-holder.
