Job responsibilities
Meon Health Practice
Health Care Support Worker NHS Health Checks
Band 3
Part Time 24 hours per week
ACCOUNTABLE: Lead Nurse
REPORTS TO: Operations Manager
JOB SUMMARY: To support the delivery of the NHS Health Check programme within Meon Health Practice, undertaking delegated clinical and non-clinical activities in line with the NHS Health Check Competency Framework. The post holder will work closely with GPs, nurses and the wider primary care team to identify adults at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), support early intervention, promote healthy lifestyles, and contribute to population health management and the reduction of health inequalities.
KEY TASKS / RESPONSIBILITIES:
Deliver NHS Health Checks to eligible registered patients in accordance with national guidance, local enhanced service specifications and Meon Healths practice protocols.
Prepare patients for health checks, explain procedures clearly and obtain informed consent.
Accurately measure, record and code clinical observations, including:
Blood pressure
Height, weight and BMI
Waist circumference (where appropriate)
Smoking status
Alcohol consumption using validated screening tools
Physical activity levels
Undertake capillary blood sampling (finger-prick) for cholesterol and glucose testing where trained and assessed as competent.
Accurately enter data into Emis and support use of approved CVD risk calculators (e.g. QRISK) in line with practice protocol.
Recognise abnormal results or clinical concerns and escalate promptly to a registered clinician.
Provide brief, evidence-based lifestyle advice consistent with Making Every Contact Count (MECC) and within scope of practice.
Support behaviour change conversations using recognised approaches (e.g. brief interventions, motivational techniques).
This job description will be reviewed regularly in line with service needs and the NHS Health Check Competency Framework.
Health Promotion and Prevention
Promote cardiovascular health and wellbeing aligned to primary care priorities.
Provide health promotion advice on:
Healthy eating
Physical activity
Smoking cessation
Alcohol reduction
Signpost and refer patients to appropriate local and PCN lifestyle services in line with agreed pathways.
Support the GP practice in addressing health inequalities by engaging patients from underserved groups.
Communication and Person-Centred Care
Communicate effectively, empathetically and professionally with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary primary care team.
Adapt communication to meet individual patient needs, including cultural, language and health literacy considerations.
Maintain patient confidentiality and uphold data protection requirements at all times.
Record Keeping and Information Management
Maintain accurate, timely and complete electronic patient records on Emis.
Ensure high-quality data entry to support NHS Health Check reporting, audit and QOF/contractual requirements where applicable.
Comply with information governance, GDPR and Caldicott principles.
Quality, Safety and Governance
Work within own scope of practice and take responsibility for delegated duties.
Follow GP practice policies, SOPs, infection prevention and control procedures, and health and safety requirements.
Participate in audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activity relating to NHS Health Checks.
Report incidents, near misses and concerns using practice reporting systems.
Training, Development and Professional Practice
Complete and maintain competencies outlined in the NHS Health Check Competency Framework.
Undertake mandatory primary care training, including basic life support, infection control and safeguarding.
Participate in supervision, appraisal and continuing professional development (CPD).
Support induction of new staff, trainees or apprentices as appropriate.
Confidentiality
- In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and dignity
- In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description the post holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential
- Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, and other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.
Health & Safety:
The post holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health and Safety policy, to include:
Using personal security systems within the workplace according to the Practice Guidelines
Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
Apply appropriate infection control/hand hygiene measures when hand washing, collection and handling of laboratory specimens, segregation and disposal of waste materials, management of clinical equipment, reporting of sharps injuries and dealing with bodily/fluid spillages
Reporting potential risks identified
Communication
Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment
Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating
Sustainable Development
- It is the responsibility of all employees to support Networks vision for sustainable development. To undertake their duties in a way that is not wasteful of environment, financial and social resources.
Equality and Diversity
- It is the responsibility of all employees to support the organisations vision of promoting a positive approach to diversity and equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in service delivery and employment, and to manage, support or comply through the implementation of Equality & Diversity Strategies and Policies.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
- This post is subject to an exception order under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This stipulates that all previous convictions, including those that are spent must be declared. Previous convictions will not necessarily preclude an individual from employment but must be declared in writing at the appropriate stage during the recruitment process.
Information Governance
- As an employee you will have access to information that is sensitive to either an individual or to the Organisation and you are reminded that in accordance with the requirements of Information Governance, NHS Code of Confidentiality, Data Protection Act 1998 and also the terms and conditions in your contract of employment, you have a duty to process this information judiciously and lawfully; failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
Performance, Appraisal and Professional Development
- The Organisation is committed to providing a high-quality service through the effective management and development of its employees. The Performance Appraisal process ensures that The Organisation is able to achieve its key aims of delivering cost effective, high quality and responsive healthcare, whilst enabling employees to understand how the outcome of their contribution fits within these overall aims.
Statutory and Mandatory Training
- The Organisation will assess the requirements for Statutory and Mandatory training for all new staff prior to commencement and aims to ensure that all Statutory and Mandatory training requirements are completed during the first 2 weeks of commencement.
Safeguarding and Vulnerable Adults
- The Organisation is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults within its care. As an employee you are accountable to ensure that you know how to respond when you are concerned for the safety of a child, young person or vulnerable adult. The organisation will support you in this process by providing training, support and advice.
Infection, Prevention Control
- All employees are expected to follow consistently high standards in the prevention and control of infection, especially with reference to hand hygiene, adherence to dress/uniform code and for clinical staff all procedures involving aseptic technique. Participate in mandatory training and annual updates. Protecting patients from infection is everyones responsibility.
