Health Care Assistant

Job summary

As a Health Care Assistant (HCA) inPrimary Care, you play a crucial role in supporting the healthcare team todeliver comprehensive and patient-centeredcare within a primary care setting.

This dynamic and rewarding positionrequires a compassionate individual with strong communication skills, empathy,and a genuine commitment to improving the health and well-being of patients.

The post holder will work under indirect supervision of the lead nurse and undertake duties delegated by the lead nurse or suitably qualified health care professional.

They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, in line with to the practice policies and procedures.

The suitable candidate will be responsible to the Lead Practice Nurse, Operations Manager and the GP Partners.

Main duties of the job

The post holder key responsibilities will include:

Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as directed by senior nursing staff and GPs Maintain and clean equipment used by the nurses and GPs according to the practice Infection Control Policy Chaperoning and, where appropriate, assisting patients who are being examined by a clinician Recording heights, weights, blood pressure and other measurements of patients as required Obtaining specimens urine, testing, as instructed and completing appropriate laboratory forms Process samples, ensuring the samples are labelled and forms are prepared for transporting to the appropriate laboratory Carry out ECGs Conduct patient registration medicals Assist with minor procedures and treatments under the supervision of registered healthcare professionals. Perform wound care and dressings Answer telephone in treatment rooms; take, record and transmit messages Undertake housekeeping duties, including general tidiness and cleanliness of treatment and GP rooms. Maintain accurate records on clinical systems, ensuring the senior nurse on duty is advised of any potential problems or errors within the range of assigned task

Duties above are not exhausted and a full brief is available to the successfull candidate

About us

Our purpose is to deliver the best possible care for allthe people who visit our practices, either as patients, the public or as staff.

As one of the largest and busiest surgeries in Wellingborough, our visionis to move from where we are now to where we want to be, thejourney from good to great.

We offer a range of services, and have experienced health care professionals, general practitioners, nurses, trainees and administrative staff. The staff are dedicated to ensuring that patients receive professional and compassionate care.

In undertaking this role you are expected at all times to behavein accordance with our practice values which demonstrate your commitmentto the delivery of high quality services to patients. This will be inaccordance with agreed objectives, quality standards, and resource constraints.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential

Desirable

Academic/Vocational Qualifications

Good General Education

Qualified in Phlebotomy

Qualified to NVQ level 3

Experience

Experience within a health care setting

Experience in GP Practice

Knowledge/Skills

Ability to provide quality care

Good interpersonal and communication skills

Good organisational skills

Good team working skills

Effective time management skills

Ability to work independently following verbal or written instructions

Adaptable to change

Computer literate

Basic IT Skills

Able to use System one.

Skills in Phlebotomy, ECGs, Patient Health Checks, Blood Pressures

Basic first aid knowledge

Health and safety awareness

Awareness of Blood Borne Viruses

Experience in wound care, including leg ulcer management, and compression bandaging.

Experience in minor surgery.

Qualities/Attributes

An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality

Able to work on own initiative

Able to work under pressure and remain calm

Flexible and adaptable

Aware of own limitations

Keen to develop

Special requirements of post

Provide cover for absence of other HCA when required

Job Description Healthcare Assistant

Purpose:To assist the GPs and practice nurse team in the service and delivery of thecare management of the practice populationResponsible to: Senior practice nurses, practice manager and, ultimately, theGP Partners.

Jobsummary

Thepost holder works under indirect supervision of the practice nurse team leaderand undertakes task and duties delegated by the practice nurse team leader or asuitably qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively withthe general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy andprocedures.

Keyresponsibilities

Communication

Communicate effectively with other team members Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication

Personaland people development

Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, including participating in supervision Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development Work with management on any new training requirements To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary health care team Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of a basic HCA

Health,safety and security

Use the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks Use appropriate infection control procedures and maintain work areas in each clinical room so that they are clean, safe and free from hazards reporting of any potential risks identified, including: hand washing universal hygiene procedures collection and handling of laboratory specimens segregation and disposal of waste materials decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment reporting and treatment of sharps injuries dealing with blood and body fluid spillages Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate Be aware of statutory child health procedures and statutory local guidance and referral criteria Know the health and safety policies and procedures within the workplace, including fire procedures, maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintaining of equipment and furniture within your area of responsibility Use the computer monitor safely Be able to identify the risks to health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the working environment according to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

Serviceimprovement

Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets

Quality

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the team Ensure stock items under your control are ordered and available in the treatment and consulting rooms Know how clinical governance affects the HCA role and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation Know the practice's policies, especially the whistle-blowing policy, available in the practice staff handbook Be able to manage your own time effectively

Equalityand diversity

Act in ways that recognise the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and carers Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour Act as a chaperone

Clinicalskills health and well-being

Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training: Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratories Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations, and for pre medical checks: Blood Pressure Pulse Rate And Rhythm Temperature Height And Weight - Body Mass Index ECG New patient checks Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence

Informationprocesses

Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate Maintain confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and the practice Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

EssentialDesirable Academic/Vocational QualificationsGood General Education Qualified in Phlebotomy Qualified to NVQ level 3 ExperienceExperience within a health care settingExperience in GP Practice Knowledge/SkillsAbility to provide quality care Good interpersonal and communication skills Good organisational skills Good team working skills Effective time management skills Ability to work independently following verbal or written instructions Adaptable to change Computer literateBasic IT Skills Able to use System one. Skills in Phlebotomy, ECGs, Patient Health Checks, Blood Pressures Basic first aid knowledge Health and safety awareness Awareness of Blood Borne Viruses Experience in wound care, including leg ulcer management, and compression bandaging. Experience in minor surgery. Qualities/AttributesAn understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality Able to work on own initiative Able to work under pressure and remain calm Flexible and adaptable Aware of own limitations Keen to develop Special requirements of postProvide cover for absence of other HCA when required

Desirable

EssentialDesirable Academic/Vocational QualificationsGood General Education Qualified in Phlebotomy Qualified to NVQ level 3 ExperienceExperience within a health care settingExperience in GP Practice Knowledge/SkillsAbility to provide quality care Good interpersonal and communication skills Good organisational skills Good team working skills Effective time management skills Ability to work independently following verbal or written instructions Adaptable to change Computer literateBasic IT Skills Able to use System one. Skills in Phlebotomy, ECGs, Patient Health Checks, Blood Pressures Basic first aid knowledge Health and safety awareness Awareness of Blood Borne Viruses Experience in wound care, including leg ulcer management, and compression bandaging. Experience in minor surgery. Qualities/AttributesAn understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality Able to work on own initiative Able to work under pressure and remain calm Flexible and adaptable Aware of own limitations Keen to develop Special requirements of postProvide cover for absence of other HCA when required

---