Job summary
**When
applying please include your CV explaining how you
are suited to this role and confirm you meet the essential requirements - please
note the salary will be pro rata based on the part time hours**
We are looking for an experienced, compassionate, dedicated,
reliable and patient focused Healthcare Assistant, who enjoys meeting new people to
join us as a PCN Proactive Care Coordinator / Health Care Assistant.
At Armley PCN, we have a friendly, supportive and nurturing management
style, and you will fit into the team well if you have a committed work ethic,
enjoy working collaboratively and can work at pace.
Main duties of the job
As a member of the Armley Primary Care Network (PCN) Proactive Care Team, you will assist with the delivery of national and local agenda for care of frail patients within their own homes, to enable them to maintain their independence in a safe environment.
They will work alongside, and under the supervision of, registered practitioners to carry out a range of healthcare activities and duties. This work will usually be undertaken in the patients home - however, specific PCN clinics may also require support.
The role includes undertaking delegated clinical tasks and procedures such as phlebotomy, BP recordings, diabetic reviews, foot checks, stroke and kidney disease reviews in the patients home or at one of our 3 Practices.
About us
Armley Primary Care Network (PCN) is a partnership of three GP practices serving over 30,000 patients across LS12 - Armley Medical Practice, Thornton Medical Centre, and Priory View Medical Practice.
The PCN works collaboratively with community health services, social care, voluntary organisations and local partners to deliver integrated, person-centred care that improves health outcomes and reduces health inequalities.
A key focus of the PCN is supporting people living with frailty, multiple long-term conditions and complex healthcare needs through proactive, preventative care.
Services are designed to identify health needs early, promote independence, reduce avoidable hospital admissions and ensure patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
Working through multidisciplinary teams, the PCN brings together GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants, care coordinators and wider health and care professionals to provide coordinated support tailored to individual patient needs.
The PCN is committed to delivering compassionate, proactive care that helps people remain safe, well and independent within their own homes and communities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Job
Responsibilities
Holistically support patients with mild to
severe frailty within the community
Undertake frailty reviews of housebound patients
for PCN practice sites via home visit, or occasionally via telephone
Review patient needs and help them access the
services and the support they require to understand and manage their own health
and wellbeing
Refer patients to services within the area that
are most appropriate for them
Conduct low level clinical screening such as
dementia screening, blood pressure checks and venepuncture as directed by the lead
health professional. (Where relevant training has been received)
Carry out low level falls assessment/screening
and provide advice and information on falls prevention, including referral for
equipment where necessary
Assist in the formulation and review of care
plans to ensure all care is reflecting the patients needs and wishes
Visit housebound patients at the request of PCN
practices for Healthcare Assistant-appropriate tasks whilst ensuring these do
not detract from core frailty work
Ensure patient records are updated appropriately
and consultations recorded using the appropriate template
Liaise with each practice to maintain frailty
registers
Liaise with each practice to prioritise visits
Work within the scope of HCA practice
Identify social isolation and loneliness, being
proactive in signposting to relevant resources to empower patients to remain
active and engaged within their communities
Identify and recognise deterioration in an
individuals health and act promptly to refer to relevant health professional to
minimise risk or where appropriate, avoid hospital admission
Assist practices in the achievement of targets
related to frail and housebound patients
Develop and maintain knowledge and relationships
with our practices and local services
Work with local statutory, voluntary and
independent organisations to ensure referrals are made appropriately and
maximise the availability of local resources
Take all reasonable precautions to ensure the
health and safety of service users and self, understanding and following risk
assessments as instructed
To maintain close links with other services in
line with Safeguarding procedures and make other appropriate interventions and
escalation
Ensure that GPs, practice nurses, practice
pharmacists and other members of the primary care team understand the FCC/HCA
role, and which patients may particularly benefit from their input
Work with the Armley PCN and its leadership team
to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of this role
Core
Responsibilities:
Frailty reviews for patients within Armley PCN
who are house dependent
Assisting each practice to maintain up to date
frailty registers
Help to raise awareness of health and wellbeing
and how it can be promoted
Assisting with the collection and collation of
data on needs related to health and wellbeing
Additional Responsibilities:
On occasion, not as a matter of course, for
practices within the PCN:
Phlebotomy
Blood pressure monitoring
Chaperoning duties
Sterilising, cleansing and maintenance of
surgical equipment
Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of
patients health and wellbeing
Knowledge, Training and
Experience:
Minimum NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience in
a health and/or social care setting
Evidence of continual professional development
Experience in healthcare provision to a
vulnerable group of patients
Specific interest in supporting frail and
elderly patients
Experience of Primary Care or other
organisations supporting a wide range of individuals
Knowledge of health care service delivery,
public health delivery or community engagement
Knowledge and understanding of the complexities
of General Practice provision
Completed a two day PCI accredited care
co-ordination training course or be willing to complete
Other:
Maintain the highest standards of conduct and
integrity within organisation adhering to relevant Codes of Conduct and the NHS
Constitution
Be aware of and adhere to the provisions of the
Health and Safety at Work Act and ensure own safety and the safety of
colleagues and patients
Participate in our appraisal system, matching
organisational aims with individual objectives
Comply with all organisational and statutory
requirements
Undertake all mandatory training required for
the role
Be aware of individual responsibilities under
the Equal Opportunities and Diversity in Employment Policy and adhere to the
provisions of the policy
Work flexibly as required by the PCN, including
working at different GP Practices or community locations in the local area.
This job description is not meant to be exhaustive.
It describes the main duties and responsibilities of the
post.
Staff are expected to undertake any other duties
commensurate with the FCC/HCA grade as agreed with their line manager.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE or equivalent (GCSE Maths & English C or above)
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience in a health and/or social care setting
- Evidence of continual professional development Full UK Driving Licence
Desirable
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Understanding of personalised care and the comprehensive model of personalised care
- Understanding of the wider determinants of health
- Promotes diversity and equality and leads by example
- Strong organisational skills, including planning, prioritising, time management and record keeping
- Knowledge of how the NHS works, including primary care and PCNs
- Knowledge of and ability to work to policies and procedures including confidentiality, safeguarding and health and safety
- Ability to recognise/work within limits of competence, seeking advice if needed
- Understanding of the needs of older people / adults with disabilities / long term conditions particularly in relation to promoting their independence
- Basic knowledge of long -term conditions and the complexities involved: medical, physical, emotional and social
- Ability to record accurate clinical notes
- Clear, polite telephone manner
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
Desirable
- EMIS and SystmOne user skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working directly in a healthcare assistant or care co-ordinator role, or within adult health and social care, learning support or public health / health improvement
- Experience of working in health, social care and other support roles in direct contact with people, families or carers (in a paid or voluntary capacity)
- Experience of working within multi - professional team environments
- Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role
- Experience of working with elderly or vulnerable people, complying with best practice and relevant legislation
Desirable
- Experience or training in personalised care and support planning
- Experience of data collection and using tools to measure the impact of services
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to actively listen, empathise with people and provide personalised support in a non-judgemental way
- Ability to provide a culturally sensitive service supporting people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
- Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from diverse communities
- Ability to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, partner agencies and stakeholders
- Ability to identify risk and assess / manage risk when working with individuals
- Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the care co-ordinator role
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
- Ability to demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
- Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines
- Ability to work flexibly and enthusiastically within a team or on own initiative
- Knowledge of, and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety
- Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development
- Completed a two day PCI accredited care co-ordination training course or be willing to complete one
- Proficient in MS Office and web-based services
Desirable
- Ability to provide motivational coaching to patients, to support behavioural change
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.