Healthcare Assistant (HCA)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Outline of Duties and Responsibilities:

• To undertake all duties in line with the training and instruction provided by the Practice Nurse and General Practitioners.
• Conduct weight and height measurements, test and record blood pressure, pulse and requested blood tests, carry out ECGs.
• The testing and result recording of clinical specimens.
• Provide assistance in ensuring patient care by chaperoning when required.
• Venepuncture and the taking and preparing of pathology samples.
• Assist with the provision of health checks, smoking cessation advice and annual reviews.
• Carry out routine patient dressings, removal of clips and sutures in accordance with Practice guidelines.
• To ensure adequate clinical stock levels and medical stationery and maintain an effective stock management system.
• Ensure adequate stock levels in stock room, treatment rooms, consulting rooms, fridges and cupboards.
• The checking and recording of medical supplies on receipt.
• The inputting of information onto the Practice clinical system.
• Use of the Practice clinical system for patient searches for clinics and patient recall.
• The ongoing cleaning and sterilisation of clinical equipment and working surfaces, preparing treatment rooms prior to use.
• Assist with minor surgery, coil and implant fittings.
• To work with the team and contribute towards accomplishing maximum results for QOF.
• To cover duties for other members of staff, this may arise in the case of absence, sickness and holidays.
• To ensure that strict confidentiality protocols are adhered to.
• To attend training sessions on behalf of the Practice as required.
• To administer B-12 and Flu injections.
• To support PCN work when needed, which may include working at other sites.

• To undertake any other duties as may be determined from time to time to ensure the efficient running of the Practice.

Key Working Relationships

• Partners and management team
• Wider Practice team including nursing, admin/reception, ARRS staff
• PCN staff

Effort and Environment

• Use of PC on a daily basis requiring a high level of concentration for speed and accuracy.
• Receives highly sensitive and confidential information from patients and Practice staff.
• Requires main proportion of time sitting but some degree of standing and walking.

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 and 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.
• 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.
• 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 recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.
• 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/Professional 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 individual appraisal, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional 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 where appropriate.
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work.
• Participate in audit where appropriate.

This job description reflects the current main organisational priorities for the post. In the context of rapid change taking place within the NHS/Practice, these priorities will develop and change in consultation with the post holder in line with service business needs and priorities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good standard of general education including Maths and English (GCSE grade 4 or above or equivalent/relevant experience)

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• - Car owner / driver
• - Willing to undertake training
• - Highly motivated
• - Good time management
• - Flexible
• - Ability to work independently and use initiative

Experience

Essential

• - Experience in a primary care or healthcare environment
• - Phlebotomy skills
• - Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• - Use of EMIS Wed clinic software
• - Experience of immunisations (National programmes)
• - Performing ECG's

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

Teams Medical Practice

Address

Watson Street

Gateshead

NE8 2PQ

Employer's website

https://www.teamsmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)