Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will deliver a range of clinical and nonclinical duties, supporting the effective running of GP services and improving patient outcomes.

Clinical Responsibilities

Undertake routine clinical procedures in line with training, competence and Practice protocols, including:

• Recording blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, weight and BMI
• Venepuncture
• ECG recording
• Urinalysis
• Prepare patients for examinations and procedures, ensuring dignity and confidentiality at all times
• Support chronic disease management clinics (e.g. diabetes, COPD, asthma, hypertension) as directed
• Carry out NHS Health Checks and health promotion activities under agreed protocols
• Administer vaccinations and injections where trained and authorised
• Recognise and report any clinical concerns, deteriorating patients or safeguarding issues promptly to a registered clinician

Administrative & Practice Support Duties

• Accurately record patient information, clinical observations and test results in electronic patient records (e.g. EMIS Web)
• Maintain clinical areas in a clean, safe and wellstocked condition
• Ensure calibration, cleaning and safe use of clinical equipment
• Support stock control and ordering of clinical supplies
• Assist with recalls, audits and quality improvement work
• Follow infection prevention and control procedures at all times

Communication & Patient Care

• Communicate effectively and compassionately with patients, carers and the wider healthcare team
• Provide reassurance and clear explanations to patients regarding procedures
• Promote patient independence, selfcare and healthy lifestyle choices
• Maintain professional boundaries and uphold patient confidentiality
• Work within the boundaries of the HCA role, following Practice policies, Standard Operating Procedures and national guidelines
• Maintain uptodate mandatory training and clinical competencies
• Participate in supervision, appraisals and continuing professional development (CPD)
• Contribute positively to team working and the overall ethos of the Practices
• In addition to the above, the post holder will show respect and courtesy to patients and colleagues, maintain confidentiality of patient and other Practice information at all times. Working occasional extra hours may be required.
• The job description is not exhaustive and may be adjusted periodically after review and consultation. You will be expected to carry out reasonable duties which may be requested from time to time.

Working Relationships

• General Practitioners
• Practice Manager and Team Leader
• Other members of Admin team
• Members of the Practice/community nursing team
• Other members of the Primary Health Care Team
• Patients
• Outside agencies eg Secondary Care Trusts, Community Services, PCN
• All members of staff may be asked to attend periodic Staff Meetings, which may be held outside their normal working hours. They may also be required to work extra hours covering for holidays and sickness. This may include Saturday mornings and possibly weekend work in future on a rota basis.

Confidentiality

• In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.
• Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Alliance may only be divulged to authorized persons in accordance with the Alliances policies and procedures relating to confidentiality, and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Health & Safety

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Alliances Health & Safety Policy to include:

• Identifying the risk involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks.
• Ensuring that all accidents or dangerous accidents are reported and investigated and follow up action taken where necessary.

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the quality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues to include:

• Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with current legislation.
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
• Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights.

Quality

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Alliance, and will

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhanced the teams performance.
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs.
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

• Communicate effectively with other team members.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers.
• Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience of working in a GP Surgery
• Experience of administering vaccinations (with appropriate training)
• Competence in phlebotomy, observations and basic clinical procedures
• Emis Web experience

Desirable

• Experience of working collaboratively with different organisations, building trust, confidence and partnerships

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent experience)

Desirable

• Care Certificate

Motivation and Skills

Essential

• Prioritise and work to deadlines.
• Outstanding organisational skills
• Work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team but also autonomously.
• High level and adaptable communication skills across a range individuals of all ages, backgrounds and cultures with varying social and emotional needs
• Understanding the impact of economic and environmental factors on people's health and wellbeing
• Promote and maintain good working relationships with a variety of external partners.
• Keep accurate records of discussions and clearly replicate discussions in writing
• Work on own initiative but within constraints of the role
• Understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Other

Essential

• Full, valid driving licence and use of own car.
• Meet DBS standards and Criminal Record checks

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

Sunderland GP Alliance

Address

North East BIC

Wearfield

Sunderland

Tyne and Wear

SR5 2TA

Employer's website

https://www.sunderlandgpalliance.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)