Job responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Communication
- Communicate effectively with other team members
- Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication
Personal and People Development:
- Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, including participating in supervision
- Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
- Work with management on any new training requirements
- To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary health care team
- Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of a basic HCA
Health, Safety and Security
- Use the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
- Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks
- Use 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:
1. hand washing
2. universal hygiene procedures
3. collection and handling of laboratory specimens
4. segregation and disposal of waste materials
5. decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment
6. reporting and treatment of sharps injuries
7. dealing with blood and body fluid spillages
8. Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures
- Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain
- Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility
- Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate
- Be aware of statutory child health procedures and statutory local guidance and referral criteria
- 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
- Use the computer monitor safely
- 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
Service Improvement
- Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit
- Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives
- Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets
Quality
- Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients
- Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems
- Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care
- Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the team
- Ensure stock items under your control are ordered and available in the treatment and consulting rooms
- Know how clinical governance affects the HCA role and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation
- Know the practice's policies, especially the whistle-blowing policy, available in the practice staff handbook
- Be able to manage your own time effectively
Equality and Diversity
- Act in ways that recognise the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures
- Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and carers
- Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour
- Act as a chaperone
Clinical Skills Health and Well-Being
- Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training:
- Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratories
- Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations, and for pre medical checks:
1. Blood Pressure
2. Pulse Rate And Rhythm
3. Temperature
4. Height And Weight - Body Mass Index
5. Assisting with minor Ops
6. Venepuncture
7. Ecg
8. New patient checks
9. Ambulatory Monitors
10. Dressings
11. B12 Injections
12. Flu/Pneumonia Vaccinations
13. Frailty Reports
14. Health Checks
- Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions
- Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted
- Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence
Information Processes
- Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate
- Maintain confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and the practice
- Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information
Clinical Research
1. To work according to ICH GCP guidelines and research governance standards for clinical trials and current Standard Operating Procedures.
2. To support the implementation and management of a limited range of clinical trial protocols.
3. To assist in the identification, screening and recruitment of patients/volunteers into research studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure the effective achievement of study aims and monitoring of their condition throughout participation.
4. Perform study tasks as delegated by the Principle Investigator
5. To provide ongoing advice and information to patients/volunteers with regard to their participation in clinical research in order to maintain effective informed consent and retention in trials
7. To act in the best interest of the research subjects and to ensure that their rights are upheld. Treat all persons encountered within course of his/her duties with respect and courtesy
8. Be aware of and promote the following aspects of the informed consent process:
a) The patient (and significant others) fully understand the nature of the clinical trial.
b) The patient is aware that entry onto the trial is voluntary and they can withdraw at any time without prejudice
c) The patient is aware of any extra procedure required by the trial
d) The consent form is filed as required
9. To coordinate the visit schedules of research participants liaising with team members as necessary
10. To provide on-going follow-up care whilst the patient is in the clinical trial.
11. To acquire and maintain a range of clinical skills necessary to facilitate research as determined by the research protocol ie: phlebotomy, vital sign assessment, clinical assessments and ECG recording as appropriate
12. To carry out associated laboratory work safely and in line with national requirements including:
a) Centrifugation of blood samples and slide preparation
b) Aliquoting and storage of samples at appropriate temperatures
c) Order dry ice in advance of patient visit
d) Pack samples ready for shipment.
e) Coordinate courier collection.
13. To process and store biological samples to the requirements of the research protocol, ensuring that safe handling and quality is assured
14. To ensure the safe ordering and storage of study medication prior to dispensing to clients.
15. Be aware of safety in the context of a clinical trials adhering to local and national guidelines ensuring participant well-being is prioritised. Ensure swift reporting of safety concerns to Principle Investigator/Study Coordinator as necessary
16. To perform other clinical procedures as specified by the protocol
17. To be competent in assisting with emergency situations such as cardiac arrest, major incident and fire procedures as they relate to the departments.
18. To participate in clinical trials monitoring as required to meet the governance requirements of each study
19. To monitor treatment toxicity/side effects and report to CRA, PI and Study Coordinator as necessary. Be aware of changes to treatment as required by the clinical trial protocol
20. To record and report adverse events/serious adverse events which occur whilst the patient is in the clinical trial to the relevant personnel and act as required. This may include the trial co-coordinator/Principle Investigator and relevant local personnel/regulatory authorities in the event of serious adverse events.
21. To manage the organisation of own workload on a day to day basis in liaison with Study Coordinator
22. To up-date the Senior Research Nurse on the progress of clinical trials.
23. Support monitoring or audit visits. To include printing and filing documentation and answering queries
Administration
1.To ensure that all documentation including paper or electronic clinical research files, letters, and the surgery patient record are completed with a high degree of accuracy.
2. Update Excel spreadsheets and create Word documents as necessary and according to abilities
3. Participant in training for, and the use of, electronic data capture systems. Ensure data is entered according to study specific timelines and answer queries within required time frame. Awareness of when to escalate queries and in a timely fashion
3. To liaise as necessary via email, telephone or writing with the project co-ordinator, sponsor, medical staff and other agencies involved to enable efficient running of the trials and maintain patient safety
4. To access the computer network as required to retrieve relevant information.
5. To assist with the archiving of clinical trials as required.
6. Ensure site files are well organised and filing attended to in a timely manner. Ensure site files are maintained according to sponsor and research governance requirements
Resources
1.Monitor equipment supplies checking expiry dates and ordering further supplies as necessary
2. Ensure equipment is kept clean and ready for use
3. Maintain temperature logs for freezer, refrigerator and ambient cupboard
4. Ensure waste is collected and disposed of appropriately
