Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a Senior Healthcare Assistant with excellent interpersonal skills and the drive, enthusiasm and a commitment to make a difference for our patients- within our integrated Sexual Health Services. Often you will be the first face our patients see on arrival to the service, where you will be expected to deliver empathetic and high standard 'customer service'.
This role is pivotal to Sexual Health services at Kings.
The service will train the right candidate to assist in delivering aspects of sexual health diagnostic testing e.g. microscopy. You will be expected to take ownership of back of house duties e.g. infection control and restocking. The role also combines delivery of 'front of house' (reception) services and clinical care to patients.
As a trust we are all responsible for the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, this role is no exception. You will be supported by a management team that values hard work, promotes 'Freedom to Speak Up', and believes in nurturing innovative ideas and professional growth.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work autonomously with clients in the privacy of confidential rooms without direct supervision but in accordance with agreed protocols. This successful candidate will, with full training, perform venepuncture for routine blood tests; carry out screening for sexually transmitted infections; record the patient's weight, BMI and blood pressure and to act as the patient's advocate.
The post holder will also prepare and stock clinical rooms with clinical and non-clinical items; order stock; set up and decontaminate equipment for clinical procedures and clean and check equipment to comply with Health and Safety and Infection Control policies. Included also is the preparation and administration of specimens prior to transportation to laboratories.
Particular emphasis is put at Kings on the need to ensure that all staff recognise their responsibility to deliver services in a high quality, courteous, patient-focused manner maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities at Sexual Health Clinic
- To great clients and visitors in a courteous, friendly and helpful manner
- Within clearly defined protocols and with full training, the post holder will triage clients as they attend the service. To deal with face to face enquiries from the public about the range of services available and the registration and queue management process etc. To direct them to other services if necessary
- To support the management of the online STI testing service (SHL) this requires supporting clients to use the online service
- To support clients to register on the Patient electronic clinical records system and book and change appointments
- Within clearly defined protocols and with full training, the post-holder will carry out venepuncture, the samples being used for testing for HIV and other sexual transmitted infections
- Within clearly defined protocols, the post holder will provide structured health advice regarding contraception options and the options for sexually transmitted infections testing. Also the post holder will carry out pregnancy testing and assist clients with the self-referral process for termination of pregnancy
- To demonstrate and distribute condoms to clients
- To provide health promotion information to clients accessing the centre for a range of health issues e.g. sexual health, weight management, smoking, and signpost clients to other services as appropriate and assist clients in the use of electronic information facilities within the centre
- To take receipt of urine samples and swabs with due regard to infection control. Carry out the accurate and appropriate labelling preparation and storage, and arrange transportation of specimens and samples
- To maintain accurate record of care given in line with clinic and trust guidelines
- Provide chaperone duties as necessary or as requested by the nursing or medical staff
- To set up and clean clinical areas, maintaining and recording cleanliness standards and contributing to the smooth running of clinical areas
- To ensure clinical and public areas are adequately stocked with clinical supplies, stationery and client information
- To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, reporting areas of concern to the accountable professional practitioner
- To accurately record and amend client information to acceptable data quality standards using the Patient electronic clinical records system
- To ensure that the public areas are tidy at all times.
- To liaise with medical, nursing and other staff as required to ensure the smooth running of the centre and to understand the importance of teamwork
- To ensure that telephone queries are dealt with promptly and efficiently, and relay messages to staff accurately
- To train and support new and temporary staff
- To participate and assist in evaluation and feedback
- To attend team and departmental meetings and actively participate in service improvement
- Proactively participate in one to one meetings with line manager, identifying own learning needs, and ways that these may be met
- Communicate issues of concern relating to the behaviour, conduct or practice of colleagues to a senior nurse as appropriate
- Report untoward incidents and any other relevant information to a registered nurse and to complete an incident report if necessary
- Inform a registered nurse if asked to carry out a task which the individual does not have the training or capacity to do
- Undertake relevant training for electronic information systems in place and under development.
- To assist clients who require an interpreter and to book interpreters when necessary.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities at Sexual Health Clinic
- To great clients and visitors in a courteous, friendly and helpful manner
- Within clearly defined protocols and with full training, the post holder will triage clients as they attend the service. To deal with face to face enquiries from the public about the range of services available and the registration and queue management process etc. To direct them to other services if necessary
- To support the management of the online STI testing service (SHL) this requires supporting clients to use the online service
- To support clients to register on the Patient electronic clinical records system and book and change appointments
- Within clearly defined protocols and with full training, the post-holder will carry out venepuncture, the samples being used for testing for HIV and other sexual transmitted infections
- Within clearly defined protocols, the post holder will provide structured health advice regarding contraception options and the options for sexually transmitted infections testing. Also the post holder will carry out pregnancy testing and assist clients with the self-referral process for termination of pregnancy
- To demonstrate and distribute condoms to clients
- To provide health promotion information to clients accessing the centre for a range of health issues e.g. sexual health, weight management, smoking, and signpost clients to other services as appropriate and assist clients in the use of electronic information facilities within the centre
- To take receipt of urine samples and swabs with due regard to infection control. Carry out the accurate and appropriate labelling preparation and storage, and arrange transportation of specimens and samples
- To maintain accurate record of care given in line with clinic and trust guidelines
- Provide chaperone duties as necessary or as requested by the nursing or medical staff
- To set up and clean clinical areas, maintaining and recording cleanliness standards and contributing to the smooth running of clinical areas
- To ensure clinical and public areas are adequately stocked with clinical supplies, stationery and client information
- To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, reporting areas of concern to the accountable professional practitioner
- To accurately record and amend client information to acceptable data quality standards using the Patient electronic clinical records system
- To ensure that the public areas are tidy at all times.
- To liaise with medical, nursing and other staff as required to ensure the smooth running of the centre and to understand the importance of teamwork
- To ensure that telephone queries are dealt with promptly and efficiently, and relay messages to staff accurately
- To train and support new and temporary staff
- To participate and assist in evaluation and feedback
- To attend team and departmental meetings and actively participate in service improvement
- Proactively participate in one to one meetings with line manager, identifying own learning needs, and ways that these may be met
- Communicate issues of concern relating to the behaviour, conduct or practice of colleagues to a senior nurse as appropriate
- Report untoward incidents and any other relevant information to a registered nurse and to complete an incident report if necessary
- Inform a registered nurse if asked to carry out a task which the individual does not have the training or capacity to do
- Undertake relevant training for electronic information systems in place and under development.
- To assist clients who require an interpreter and to book interpreters when necessary.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Functional Skills Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy or GCSEs Math's and English Grades A-C
- NVQ level 3 in Health Care or equivalent.
- Ability to demonstrate a strong commitment to and skills in customer care.
Desirable
- Previous experience in a health care setting.
- Experience of working in an environment with changing demands and priorities
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Functional Skills Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy or GCSEs Math's and English Grades A-C
- NVQ level 3 in Health Care or equivalent.
- Ability to demonstrate a strong commitment to and skills in customer care.
Desirable
- Previous experience in a health care setting.
- Experience of working in an environment with changing demands and priorities
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
