Clinical assistant- urgent care

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Communication and relationship skills

Welcomes patients, visitors and relatives to the clinical area, providing assistance, support and

information where required. Being aware of and being able to assist clinicians and reception

staff with overcoming barriers to communication.

Provides direct interpersonal support to vulnerable patients in the department before and after

their period of consultation.

Exchanges factual information with patients using persuasion, reassurance, tact, empathy; may

overcome barriers to understanding eg. where a patient has a physical impairment, mental

health condition or learning disability.

Answers the telephone when necessary in a polite and courteous manner and passes on

enquiries to the administrative and reception team.

Communicates effectively with the medical and nursing team.

Communicates effectively with the operational team and support staff.

Communicates effectively with community teams and other specialist teams as requested by

the medical or nursing staff.

Contributes to the handover of patient information to the clinical team, maintaining

confidentiality at all times.

Communicates effectively with supply chains and equipment maintenance departments to

ensure that essential clinical supplies and equipment are available at all times.

Reports incidents, accidents and complaints to the senior nurse on duty.

Uses the Medway Community Healthcare information system and Adastra system as required.

Able to instruct patients and carers providing direction and guidance on defined treatment

pathways.

To liaise with medical staff, nursing staff and therapists as necessary regarding patient care,

highlighting any concerns while the patient is in the department.

Internal: Operational managers, Medical Lead, Lead Nurse, Senior practitioner, Minor Illness

Practitioners, Session Supervisor, Receptionists Doctors, Drivers, Volunteers, Locum staff.

External: Accident and Emergency Staff, Minor Injuries, Phlebotomy, Ultrasound, X-ray, Ward

Staff, Paramedics, Equipment Testing and Supply Department, Relatives

Attend clinical & Team Meetings

2. Knowledge, training and experience

Good general education to GCSE equivalent

NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience essential

Foundation Degree desirable or willingness to undertake

Substantial experience working as an assistant within the healthcare environment

Experience of documenting and evidencing learning

Understanding of acute and primary healthcare conditions

Good written and verbal communication skills

Good IT skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Awareness of limitations, personal strengths and development

Flexible, reliable, organised

Ability to work on own initiative and to manage own workload

Ability to travel to dispersed sites in a timely manner

Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations and relevant legislation

1. Analytical and judgement skills

To undertake highly skilled assistant support work (e.g. DVT pathway Wells Score, taking blood

samples, D Dimer testing, INR tests) and reporting findings to the doctor or nurse.

To observe and assist patients within the department providing first aid and basic life support as

required.

To be aware of role in emergency situations and instigate emergency procedures and

assistance to senior staff.

Assess for appropriate treatment aids such as crutches and slings, ensuring safe use of

equipment by others through teaching and demonstration.

Recognise and alert Clinicians to the unwell patient or deteriorating patient in the waiting room

Supervises junior assistants, students, work place experience students and visitors to the

service.

Assess patient condition through basic observations, test results,

Assess patient comfort.

2. Planning and organisational skills

Manage and prioritise own workload for stock taking, equipment repair, ordering clinical

supplies.

Prepares clinical rooms for consultation and treatments.

Prepares clinical equipment for daily use.

Proactive in assisting the medical and nursing staff with patient care and specific tests as

determined by the patient pathway and Rapid Review category.

Assists the infection control link with staff training and audit

To accurately and promptly carry out the instructions of the registered nurse or doctor on duty

who is accountable for the delivery of care.

3. Physical skills

To assist the medical and nursing staff with day to day treatment of urgent care patients at

MedOCC bases.

Ability to visit outlying bases for stock checks and equipment care.

Competencies related to clinical assistance of patients in the urgent care service.

Hand eye co-ordination required when using test equipment e.g. blood glucose monitors, D

Dimer, INR, venepuncture, manipulating wheelchairs.

Ability to respond urgently to changing situations in workflow and the patients clinical condition.

Daily checks of the resuscitation trolley.

4. Responsibility for patient / client care

To treat patients individually with direct supervision of a doctor or nurse.

Act as chaperone as requested by the doctor or nurse.

To undertake tests and treatments as directed in the urgent care bases.

To maintain patients dignity, privacy and confidentiality at all times.

Care for vulnerable patients attending to personal care, pressure area care and nutritional

needs while under the care of the MedOCC service.

To respond appropriately to clinical emergencies to ensure the patient receives appropriate

response.

Support Rapid Review clinician, recognise and draw attention to the unwell patient in the waiting room.

Ability to perform BSL & MHLS

Assisting the clinician with emergency ILS.

Check drug expiry dates and submit replenishment order requests

5. Responsibility for policy and service development implementation

To adhere to the organisations policies in relation to Health and Safety, including Safeguarding

Vulnerable Adults and Children policies and Infection Prevention and Control Policy.

To comply with organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in

reviewing as appropriate.

Comments on proposed changes to policy or operational processes.

May participate in discussions on proposed changes to procedures.

Assisting with clinical audits, infection control, hand hygiene.

Full JD can be found in the attachments

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oNVQ level 2 in a health or care related subject or equivalent.
• oUp to date phlebotomy practice and competency.

Desirable

• oFoundation degree in health and social care.

Expieriance

Essential

• oExtensive experience of working as an assistant at Band 2/3 or equivalent in a health care related environment.
• oExperience of undertaking basic clinical observations.

Desirable

• oStock taking

Disposition

Essential

• oAbility to work unsocial hours
• oAbility to work on own initiative
• oAble to communicate effectively with patients, relatives and members of the team
• oAbility to demonstrate awareness of privacy dignity and data protection.

MCH Values

Essential

• Good understanding of MCH values

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

Medway Community Healthcare

Address

MedOCC at MFT

Windmill Road

Gillingham

ME7 5NY

Employer's website

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