Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Healthcare Assistant in delivering health services. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

a. Consult with patients and their families to undertake assessments of patient need

b. Deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion, long-term condition management and patient education

c. Be an integral part of the general practice team

d. Provide clinical support to registered nurses and other healthcare professionals within the organisation

e. Deliver basic clinical care interventions under supervision, supporting continuity of care and patient safety initiatives. These interventions may include wound care, stitch removal, phlebotomy, conducting ECG, diabetic foot checks, urinalysis and intra-muscular injections.

f. Act as a chaperone as required

g. Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation

h. Provide support during minor operations as required

i. Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the organisations IPC Policy

j. Work within national and local protocols where these exist

k. Be aware of your duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children

l. Recognise the boundaries of their practice and know when and to whom patients should be referred

m. Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements

n. Support the administrative team on an as-required basis

o. Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes

p. Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance

q. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times

r. Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed

s. Undertake daily health & safety, emergency and fire checks.

t. Maintenance of Infection Control procedures.

u. Be aware of child health and child protection issues, local policies and referral procedures

v. Work in accordance with practice guidelines to assist the clinical team Maintaining confidentiality

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Healthcare Assistant has the following wider responsibilities:

a. Participate in any audits as directed

b. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care

c. Support and participate in shared learning

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Has completed the Care Certificate or equivalent qualification and as detailed within CQCs GP mythbuster 57: Health Care Assistants in General Practice

Desirable

• Level 2 Safeguarding

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a healthcare setting

Desirable

• Has worked in a primary care environment
• Experience of using SystmOne software

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential

• Able to provide wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• Ability to undertake patient medicals, including height, weight, BP, pulse and BMI etc.

Desirable

• Ability to undertake vaccinations
• Ability to perform ECGs independently
• Able to perform venepuncture

Personal qualities

Essential

• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Excellent communication skills and effective in communicating and understanding patient needs
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations

Desirable

• Effectively utilise resources

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

Sixways

Address

London Road

Charlton Kings

Cheltenham

Gloucestershire

GL52 6HS

Employer's website

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