Job responsibilities
TONGE FOLD HEALTH
CENTRE
HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT - JOB
DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Health
Care Assistant (HCA)
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Clinically
- Practice Nurse
Administratively
Practice Manager
JOB PURPOSE:
To be part of the general practice team providing high quality and
forward thinking nursing care to meet the holistic needs of our population
To work to agreed standards and protocols
Aims and Objectives
1. To work as a member of the team
and to establish and maintain the relationships within the team
2. To support qualified staff in
the management and execution of clinical practice, and work autonomously
within clinical guidelines and protocols where necessary
3. To actively contribute to the
achievement of Practice objectives in delivering excellence in healthcare
4. To promote equality of care and
non-discriminatory practice, acknowledging a patient's personal beliefs and
identity
5. To ensure accurate retrieval of computerised information
for monitoring and auditing processes using practice IT system
6. To support and contribute
towards the outreach case finding service
Primary Duties and Areas of Responsibility
1. Clinical Nursing Practice
The
Healthcare Assistant works under indirect supervision of the clinical service
lead and is accountable to clinical service lead for their actions in
undertaking delegated work. However, this is guided by standard operating
procedures and requires the individual to use a degree of initiative. The HCA
also provides support for other members of the healthcare team and contributes
towards the coordination of team activities.
Undertakes
agreed procedures which include but are not exhaustive;
Blood pressure, pulse
rate and rhythm, temperature, height and weight - body mass index, venepuncture, ECG, glucose tolerance test, peak flow
readings, inhaler technique, spirometry
Administration of flu vaccinations & Vitamin B12.
Participates in programmes for the
management of long term conditions, e.g. diabetes, coronary heart disease,
asthma etc.
Assists patients and where appropriate
encourages self care and self management of self limiting conditions through
health promotion
Refers to other healthcare professionals
where appropriate
Works within all relevant practice policies
and procedural guidelines e.g. infection control, chaperoning etc.
Participates in early
symptom recognition and presentation (including case finding)
Participates in any other new developments,
and undertakes any training relevant to new developments
2. Health Promotion
Encourages and supports individuals,
families and groups to address issues which affect their health and social
well being
Represents the interests of individuals and
families when they are not able to do so themselves
Develops and maintains a portfolio of health
promotion and displays in waiting areas
Signpost patients to other services in order
to promote health
Is committed to improving access to primary
care in deprived areas
Is committed to improving the quality of primary
care in deprived areas
Contribute to the delivery of
outreach sessions within the target areas
3. Manage and Lead
Contributes to the development, monitoring
and evaluation of care delivery by the healthcare team
Promotes effective communication and
relationships within the team
Works collaboratively as a team member to
achieve team objectives and shared aspirations
Participates in clinical supervision for own
development
Actively participates in practice/SSP Health
meetings where appropriate
Attends all mandatory training and mandatory
meetings on the advice of the clinical lead
Develops own knowledge and practice to meet objectives/service
developments
Develop and maintain partnerships with local
community groups, general practices and other key agencies within the target
areas
4. Influence and Develop Policy
Contribute to practice policy development as
required
5. Manage and Use Information
Makes effective use of IT systems by
ensuring consistent and accurate entering of data
Contributes to an effective system of call
and recall of patients
Ensures accurate retrieval of information for monitoring
and auditing processes
Makes recommendations to raise standards of
practice where necessary
Ensures patient confidentiality in relation
to patient details and diagnosis at all times in accordance with Data
Protection Act and Caldicott principles
7.
Personal & Professional Development
To undertake continuous personal development with
support and guidance from senior staff
To participate in training and keep a record of
mandatory and other training and development activities
Participate in any training and development
relevant to new service developments as and when appropriate
To incorporate up-to-date techniques and
developments into day-to-day practice as agreed with the relevant Clinical
Leads
8. Research & Development
Contributes to practice audit/research activity as required
9. Working
Conditions
Frequent exposure to bodily fluids e.g.
blood and urine
Potential exposure to aggressive behaviour
Frequent use of computer screens
Occasional evening and weekend work
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Health
and Safety at Work Act
The post holder is
required to take responsible care for the health and safety of him/herself
and other persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at
work. The post holder is also required
to co-operate with SSP Health to ensure that statutory and departmental
safety regulations are adhered to.
Confidentiality
The post holder has a
responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Code of
Practice on Confidentiality and Data Protection.
Equal Opportunities
SSP Health welcomes all
persons without regard to age, ethnic or national origin, gender or sexual
orientation, religion, lifestyle, presenting illness, marital or parental
status or disability. We aim to
provide a non-judgemental service at all times.
Other duties
The post holder will
be required to undertake any other duties according to the needs of the
Practice. This job description is not
intended to be an exhaustive list of activities, but rather an outline of the
main areas of responsibility. Any
reasonable changes will be discussed and agreed with the post holder before
any variations to the job description are made.
This post is subject to
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure clearance.
Person Specification
Requirements
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications/Training
Basic numeracy and ability to communicate in
written and spoken English
Computer skills
Willingness to develop clinical skills and
competencies relevant to the role
Willingness to attend regular clinical meetings
General basic qualifications i.e. mix GCSE / O
Levels, CSEs depending on age of applicants.
NVQ2 Care
Demonstrated ability to study/CPD
Previous Experience
At least one years experience in a clinical
setting
Knowledge of NVQ or competencies system.
At least one year's experience in a general
practice setting
Skills and knowledge
Ability to deliver basic nursing care
Kind and caring disposition
Polite, empathetic, tactful and persuasive
Able to work under supervision and follow
instructions
Able to work effectively as part of a team.
Able to organise own time and workload
Able to relay information.
Knowledge of patient confidentiality
Knowledge of equality and diversity
Other requirements
Ability to travel for home visits