Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of a health care assistant.

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. Provide routine clinical care to patients as required in accordance with practice policies and protocols

b. Provide wound care to patients

c. Phlebotomy

d. Spirometry

e. ECG recording

f. Processing and management of laboratory samples requested by GPs/Nurses

g. Clearing and re-stocking consulting rooms

h. Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients health and well-being

i. Undertaking specific clinical activities for named patients that have been delegated and taught specifically in relation to that individual

j. Helping to raise awareness of health and well-being and how it can be promoted

k. Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation

l. Ensure read codes are used effectively

m. Chaperone patients where necessary

n. Assist GPs with minor surgery when required

o. Assist in ophthalmology clinics

p. Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

q. Recognise and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

r. Support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over the counter medicines (within own scope of practice)

s. Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• EMIS / Vision user skills
• Effective time management (Planning & Organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem solving & analytical skills
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure

Desirable

• Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes
• Experience with clinical risk management

Qualifications

Essential

• The Care Certificate (or equivalent level 3 qualification)

Desirable

• KASPAC

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Wound Care / Removal of sutures & staples
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• New patient medicals
• Chaperone procedure
• Understands the importance of evidence based practice
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Understands the requirement for PSDs and associated policy

Desirable

• Spirometry
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a primary care environment

Desirable

• Experience of working as a HCA

Other requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health Clearance
• NMC registration

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated, forward thinker
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Effectively utilises resources
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort

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

The Heron Medical Practice

Address

161 Station Road

Herne Bay

Kent

CT6 5NF

Employer's website

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