Job responsibilities
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST
1. Clinical care working under direct or
indirect supervision/delegation of clinician(s), working to practice protocols
and guidelines. Those new to care should complete the Care Certificate
Training will be given on each of the tasks below before being carried out
under indirect supervision. HCAs are
responsible for ensuring that there is documented evidence of competence in
each of the skill areas. Specific or
mixed clinics may be organised by the surgery and protocols must always be
adhered to.
1.1.
Undertake
and accurately record the following tasks:
- venepuncture (patients of 16 years and over). HCAs who have undertaken
specific training in paediatric
venepuncture and been deemed competent may carry out venepuncture in patients
aged 10 years and over.
- raise ICE forms (according to
protocol)
- measurement of height and weight and BMI
- urinalysis and preparation of
specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory
- measurement of blood pressure and temperature
- pulse rate and rhythm
- peak flow measurements
- recording of ECGs
- smoke stop advice and referral
- smoking cessation
- spirometry
- inhaler technique
- pulse oximetry
- near patient testing
- new patient checks
- NHS Health
checks
- referrals to healthy living
- health
promotion
- assist
with clinical procedures such as implants, coils and minor surgery
-
chaperone
Extended HCA
tasks only to be undertaken with (or working towards) NVQ 3 or other similar and relevant training and validated training
and assessment of competence:
- dressings
- removal of stitches
- Influenza vaccinations
- Pneumonia vaccinations
- B12 injections
- diabetes foot checks
- Shingles
vaccinations
1.2.
Check
and act on QOF alerts for any of the above tasks when dealing with each patient
in accordance with the protocol.
1.3.
Recognise
changes in the patients observations which must be reported and acted on
1.4.
Assist
clinicians in emergency management of patients
1.5.
Enable
patients to access appropriate professionals in the practice team
1.6.
Act as a
chaperone
1.7.
Appreciate the principles of Healthy Living
1.8.
Provide
relevant health promotion literature for patients care and programme management
1.9.
Clearly
presents patients point of view to others
1.10.
Ensure
stock items are ordered and provided in treatment rooms
1.11.
Maintain
clinical equipment efficiently and report any incidents where servicing has not
been undertaken
1.12.
Contribute
new ideas to improve patient care
1.13.
Support and monitor patients during nebulisation
therapy.
1.14.
Prepare and maintain environments and equipment
before, during and after patient care interventions.
1.15.
Assist regulated professional while patients
undergoing minor surgery.
1.16.
Assist in raising awareness of health and
well-being, and how it can be promoted.
1.17.
Give accurate and appropriate information to
patients and groups within own competence.
1.18.
Where appropriate, provide support and
encouragement to self manage their conditions.
1.19.
Have a basic understanding of long-term
conditions including diagnostic interventions, treatments, and the principles
of care and self management.
1.20.
Plan, develop and implement health promotion
activities as appropriate e.g. smoking, exercise and diet.
1.21.
Assess patients readiness to change and provide
motivational support as appropriate in cases of smoking, obesity and healthy
living for older people.
1.22.
To gain the underpinning knowledge and practical
skills to administer basic life support or adrenaline if necessary.
2. Infection Control
Use and encourage others to adopt 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;
2.1.
Hand
washing
2.2.
Universal
hygiene precautions
2.3.
Collection
and handling of laboratory specimens
2.4.
Segregation
and disposal of waste materials
2.5.
Decontamination
of instruments and clinical equipment
2.6.
Reporting
and treatment of sharps injuries
2.7.
Dealing
with blood and body fluid spillages
2.8.
Prepare
and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care
interventions
2.9.
Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound
infection control measures
2.10.
Wear
uniforms within the surgery building only in accordance with the infection
control policy
2.11.
Do not
store or consume food in a clinical room
3. Clinical Practice
3.1.
Work
effectively in a team, communication is essential
3.2.
Interact
with patients and colleagues in a professional manner
3.3.
Patients
requesting clinical information about their diagnosis, investigations or
results should be directed to their GP.
3.4.
Maintain
set standards of organisation in treatment rooms
3.5.
Take
appropriate action if standards are not being met
3.6.
Recognise
potential areas of conflict, preventing where possible and reporting to senior
members of staff if unable to resolve
4. Information Technology
4.1.
Have a
working knowledge of SystmOne computer system.
4.2.
Maintain
computerised medical records, data input should be complete and accurate
4.3.
Use of templates,
to record consultation where directed including Ardens
4.4.
Computer
records should be made at the same time as the consultation
4.5.
Operator
I.D and security of records to be monitored by changing login I.D
4.6.
Follow
practice information governance policies and procedures
4.7.
Maintain confidentiality or information relating
to patients, relatives, staff and the practice.
4.8.
Take the necessary precautions when transmitting
information.
5. Professional Conduct
5.1.
Conduct
oneself in a professional manner, maintaining courtesy, discretion and patience
at all times
5.2.
Maintain
patient confidentiality and respect patient privacy.
5.3.
Details
of patients must only be discussed privately with appropriate personnel, and
for a valid purpose. Special care must
be taken to ensure patient confidentiality is maintained.
6. Responsibility to maintain awareness and
adherence to practice policies and procedures
6.1.
Be aware
of Health and Safety and ensure legislation is followed in relation to staff
and patients
6.2.
Undertake
training where relevant to the tasks and responsibilities associated with the
job including basic life support training.
6.3.
Attend
staff meetings, and carry out other delegated duties considered appropriate to
the post as agreed with the Nurse Manager/ GP
7. Health,
safety and security
7.1.
Use and encourage others to be familiar with the
personal security systems within the workplace according to practice
guidelines.
7.2.
Identify the risks involved in work activities and
undertake them in a way that manages the risks.
7.3.
Use and encourage others to adopt 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:
7.4.
Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain.
7.5.
Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines
and drugs within area of responsibility.
7.6.
Know the general principles of first aid and
resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate.
7.7.
Be aware of statutory child health procedures, and
statutory local guidance and referral criteria.
7.8.
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.
7.9.
Use the computer monitor safely.
7.10.
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.
8.
Other
duties
8.1.
To
maintain effective liaison with the Nurse Manager on all areas of
responsibility and to immediately report any difficulties or shortcomings in
agreed standards and criteria.
8.2.
Undertake
training where relevant to the tasks and responsibilities associated with the
job and under the direction of the Nurse Manager.