Job responsibilities
Serves patients by identifying the best method for retrieving blood samples, and preparing specimens for laboratory testing
Identify any discrepancies with test requests and bring to the attention of practice staff
Verify patient identification and explain sampling procedure to the patient
Obtain blood specimens by performing venepunctures
Maintain specimen integrity by using aseptic technique, following practice procedures and infection control policy
Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures and complying with legal requirements
Identifies any risks or incidents and reports via the practice reporting procedure
Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, as directed by the practice
Reassures patients who are anxious about sampling procedures
Apply appropriate dressing to wounds created by venepuncture
Records professional and accurate notes within the patient record
Maintains an organised and clean workspace
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 act appropriately
- 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, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the 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 & Safety Policy, and the practice Infection Control policy. This will include:
- Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines
- Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks
- Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
- Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
- Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised
- Keeping own work areas, general and patient areas generally clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holders role
- Reporting potential risks identified
Equality and Diversity
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include
- Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
- Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.
Personal Development
The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include
- Participation in an annual appraisal, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
- Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work
Quality
The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will
- Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
- Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
- Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
- Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs
- Effectively manage own time, workload and resources
Communication
The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to
- Communicate effectively with other team members
- Communicate effectively with patients and carers
- Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly
Contribution to the Implementation of Services
The post-holder will
- Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance
- Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
- Participate in audit where appropriate