Job responsibilities
Job Description
Job Title: Health Care Assistant
Responsible To: The Partners (Clinically) & Practice
Manager
To work
collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients,
following policy and procedures.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1.
Communication
Communicate
effectively with other team members
Communicate
effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative
methods of communication
2.
Personal and
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 and new initiatives for the
improvement of patient care
To
recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working
in the primary care health team
Be
aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of a Health Care Assistant
3.
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 bodily 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.
4.
Service
Improvement
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 request from patients and clinical staff with health information leaflets.
5. 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 practices policies, especially the whistle-blowing policy, available in
the practice staff handbook.
Be
able to manage your own time effectively.
6.
Equality and
diversity
Act
in ways that recognise the importance of peoples 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
7.
Clinical
skills 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 laboratory.
Measuring
and recording physiological measurements in routine presentations:
- Blood Pressure
- Pulse rate and
rhythm
- Temperature
- Height and
weight body mass index
And perform treatments and procedures which will include the following:
- Venepuncture
- ECG
- Dressings
and wound-care
- Administration of immunisations
- Assist in Minor Surgery
Please note this list is not expansive and you may be asked to take on roles/tasks that we as a practice feel is pertinent to your job role.
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 by
assessing patients in a Healthy Heart Clinic.
Monitor
and support patients in BP Clinics.
Give
accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own
competence
Support
and monitor patients during nebulisation therapy.
8.
Information
Processes
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