Health Care Assistant
Longtown Medical Centre
The closing date is 07 January 2025
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, caring and proficient Health Care Assistant to work as an integral part of our nursing and wider Practice team.
Main duties of the job
We strive to promote the best evidence-based care for our client population, in the management of long-term conditions and the proactive provision of preventable health care. Our nurses and HCAs work collaboratively within the practice team to meet the needs of our patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures.
About us
Longtown Medical Centre is a small friendly practice based in Longtown in Cumbria. We have a practice population of around 3,800 and an experienced and committed team of GPs, Nurse Practitioner, Practice Nurses, HCA and Frailty Coordinator supported by our small but highly effective Reception and Administration teams.
We can offer a competitive salary, flexible working hours, a purpose-built facility where you can work with other Community Healthcare Professionals and excellent GP support. We are flexible in relation to hours and would consider job share. Salary will be based on experience and is AfC equivalent.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Undertakes specified clinical activities and tests for named patients, within the scope of established clinical protocols, policies and procedures. Including venepuncture, urine testing, blood pressure readings, ECGs, audiograms, health checks, influenza, Covid and pneumonia vaccinations, vitb12 injections, warfarin INR monitoring, minor surgery.
- Provides relevant health information to patients, carers, family members with defined protocols.
- Follows ascetic technique in removal of sutures, clips, dressings as per nursing care plan.
- Undertakes a range of clinical support functions including preparing and stocking clinical areas, ordering clinical stock.
- Organises and deals with Practice clinical waste as per protocol.
- At all times, observes infection control procedures and protocols to protect patients, colleagues and themselves.
- Assists in maintaining a safe working environment for all members of the practice team, patients and visitors.
- Works within established systems of clinical governance.
- Conveys relevant information and receives feedback from Lead Nurse, GPs, and other members of Practice team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Undertakes specified clinical activities and tests for named patients, within the scope of established clinical protocols, policies and procedures. Including venepuncture, urine testing, blood pressure readings, ECGs, audiograms, health checks, influenza, Covid and pneumonia vaccinations, vitb12 injections, warfarin INR monitoring, minor surgery.
- Provides relevant health information to patients, carers, family members with defined protocols.
- Follows ascetic technique in removal of sutures, clips, dressings as per nursing care plan.
- Undertakes a range of clinical support functions including preparing and stocking clinical areas, ordering clinical stock.
- Organises and deals with Practice clinical waste as per protocol.
- At all times, observes infection control procedures and protocols to protect patients, colleagues and themselves.
- Assists in maintaining a safe working environment for all members of the practice team, patients and visitors.
- Works within established systems of clinical governance.
- Conveys relevant information and receives feedback from Lead Nurse, GPs, and other members of Practice team.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A demonstrable commitment to professional development
Desirable
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Dealing with members of the public/patients.
- Meeting quality targets
Desirable
- As a HCA within a primary care setting.
- Use of EMIS clinical system.
- Use of Microsoft office software.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal communications skills, able to communicate difficult messages to patients and families.
- Good written communication skills, clear concise record keeping.
- IT skills.
- Time management, able to organise workload.
Desirable
- Knowledge of national policy standards which inform and have implications for Practice, NICE, NSF, QOF.
- Knowledge of local and national health policy.
- Wider health economy awareness.
Qualities and attributes
Essential
- An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.
- Able to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense.
- Able to work without direct supervision.
- Able to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team.
- Pleasant and articulate.
- Able to work under pressure.
- Able to work in a changing environment.
Other
Essential
- Must be flexible in working hours / able to work at desired times including evenings and very ocassionally weekends
- Own transport
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A demonstrable commitment to professional development
Desirable
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Dealing with members of the public/patients.
- Meeting quality targets
Desirable
- As a HCA within a primary care setting.
- Use of EMIS clinical system.
- Use of Microsoft office software.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal communications skills, able to communicate difficult messages to patients and families.
- Good written communication skills, clear concise record keeping.
- IT skills.
- Time management, able to organise workload.
Desirable
- Knowledge of national policy standards which inform and have implications for Practice, NICE, NSF, QOF.
- Knowledge of local and national health policy.
- Wider health economy awareness.
Qualities and attributes
Essential
- An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.
- Able to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense.
- Able to work without direct supervision.
- Able to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team.
- Pleasant and articulate.
- Able to work under pressure.
- Able to work in a changing environment.
Other
Essential
- Must be flexible in working hours / able to work at desired times including evenings and very ocassionally weekends
- Own transport
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.