Healthcare Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Practice:

• To perform venepuncture for patients including patients from sixteen years old, using vacutainer system and use the electronic request system (ICE) to record blood sample requests.

• To measure and record on practice/PCN approved templates, physiological signs - alerting a registered practitioner in an appropriate timeframe if physiological signs are outside normal parameters.

• Blood pressure

• Pulse rate and rhythm

• Temperature

• Oxygen saturations

• Height and weight (BMI)

• To support patients and families with home BP monitoring when clinically indicated

• To test urine specimens using appropriate equipment and prepare samples for hospital transportation and analysis if required.

• Undertake ECGs as requested & report to the appropriate registered clinician.

• To perform simple dressing regimes including the removal of clips and sutures.

• To undertake foot risk assessment checks on diabetic patients

• Perform ear irrigation.

• To undertake NHS Health Checks Part 1 (collection of data)

• To administer B12 and immunisations within the adult immunisation schedule when there is a registered health care professional on the premises. Administration will be under a Patient Specific Direction.

• To undertake risk assessments for frailty regarding falls, pressure damage and nutrition

• To offer patients lifestyle advice

• To identify if patients would benefit from referrals to others health and social services and escalate this to the community based practice nurse

• To perform other tasks as appropriately trained and agreed to meet the needs of the PCN.

Communication / Utilising Information Systems:

• Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

• 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.

• Communicate in an appropriate timeframe, any concerns about patients health status to a registered clinician.

• Document care and accurately record data using SystmOne.

• Contribute to the work of the PCN practice teams in by utilising the data from SystmOne and other information systems to improve care.

Delivering Quality Service:

• Work with the community practices nursing and practice teams to assess effectiveness of care delivery, for example through assisting with audits, reviews and evaluation of care.

• Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation.

Team Working:

• Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify how this may develop over time.

• Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.

• Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery. Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care.

• Escalate patients concerns to the RGN community based practice nurse or, in their absence, to registered health care professionals in the GP practice teams.

Management of Risk:

The post holder must comply with all PICS policies and procedures which aim to ensure safe practice and minimise risk. This includes:

• Infection control / needlestick Protecting themselves and others against infection risks. All staff regardless of whether clinical or not are expected to comply with current infection control policies and procedures and to report any problems with regard to this to the manager. All staff should attend infection control training and updates as required.

• Health and safety / COSHH policy

• Fire policy

• Incident reporting policy

Learning and Development:

• The post holder should only undertake tasks for which he / she is competent.

• Any training / development needs should be discussed with the manager.

• The post holder is expected to undertake all mandatory training, relevant additional training and participate in clinical supervision / reflection on practice.

• The post-holder is required to attend clinical / nurse meetings and participate in an annual appraisal which includes review of this job description.

Equity and Diversity:

• Identify patterns of discrimination, take action to overcome this, and promote diversity and quality of opportunity.

• Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights.

• Adhere to local chaperoning policies.

• Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers, participate in care and refuse care. Assist patients from marginalised groups to access quality care.

Responsibility:

• The post holder works under the overall direction of the community based RGN practice nurses but will be required to undertake home visits alone so they must be able to work on their own initiative but also as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have the ability to organise and prioritise their own daily workload. They must observe patient confidentiality at all times and work within their own personal competency.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Please provide details for why you would be a great fit for this role and why you have decided to apply.

Experience

Essential

• Please provide detailed information of how you feel that your experience is suitable for this role; please provide examples to support your application referring to the job description and person specification for guidance.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Please provide detailed information of how you feel that your knowledge and skills are suitable for this role; please provide examples to support your application referring to the job description and person specification for guidance.

Qualifications

Essential

• Please provide details of your CPD, using examples where necessary.

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

Primary Integrated Community Services

Address

Mansfield North PCN

Nottinghamshire

NG19 8BL

Employer's website

http://picsnhs.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)