Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Health Care Assistant

Base: Debenham, Otley & Grundisburgh Surgeries

Hours: Approx 25 hours per week

Job Summary

As a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) you will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care within the practice. Working under the supervision of a registered healthcare professional, you will assist with both clinical and administrative duties to support the needs of patients and the wider healthcare team. You will work collaboratively with GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, ensuring that all tasks are carried out in accordance with practice policies, procedures, and national guidelines. The role requires a caring and proactive approach, maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and patient safety at all times.

Key Responsibilities

You will work under the guidance and supervision of a registered healthcare professional and be accountable to the clinical team for their delegated tasks. You will follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) while using initiative and sound judgment when providing care. You will also support other members of the primary healthcare team and contribute to the coordination and efficiency of practice activities.

In addition to direct patient care, you will assist in maintaining a safe, clean, and well-equipped clinical environment, ensuring adherence to infection control, safeguarding, and health and safety policies. The role also involves participation in clinical audits, stock management, and quality improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery.

Clinical Skills

Undertake annual health checks as part of the management of long-term conditions, e.g. annual diabetic, coronary heart disease, asthma and COPD clinics, LD and SMI. This may involve undertaking home visits to the patient's home

Support patients with lifestyle advice, including smoking cessation, healthy eating, and physical activity.

Provide patients with basic education on managing long-term conditions, and ensuring they understand their care plan.

Prepare blood forms in accordance with practice guidelines for Chronic Disease Management

Measure and record following physiological measurements in routine presentations:

o blood pressure

o pulse

o temperature

o height and weight - body mass index

o smoking history

o alcohol history

Undertake urinalysis and prepare specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory.

Perform venepuncture in accordance with practice protocols

Undertake ECGs

Give vaccinations as indicated, i.e. shingles, pneumococcal & flu

Undertake wound care management in line with the plan agreed by the PN

Perform Spirometry

Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions.

Assist in stock control and ordering of medical supplies

Assist with clinical audits to improve patient care and practice effectiveness.

Assist senior clinicians in minor surgery or coil clinics.

Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted.

Make recommendations to raise standards of practice and service delivery.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• - Basic literacy and
• - numeracy skills
• - General education
• - Basic computer experience

Desirable

• Willing to work towards the Primary Health Care Assistant Certificate

Experience

Essential

• - Has experience of customer care or experience of being a carer
• - Experience of working in a care environment

Desirable

• Experience of working in Primary Care

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

Debenham Group Practice

Address

20 Low Road

Debenham

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP14 6QU

Employer's website

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