Healthcare Assistant (HCA)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Pathological specimens and investigatory procedures

Following appropriate training, undertake the collection, storage and dispatch of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, urine samples and swabs, etc and ensure the cleanliness of any equipment so used.

Supplies and equipment Treatment room and other areas

In participation with the practice manager, ensure the maintenance of equipment and stock levels relating to patient care.

Administrative and professional responsibilities

Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the practice team.

Ensure accurate notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients notes on the clinical computer system as appropriate.

Ensure collection and maintenance of statistical information required for regular and ad hoc reports.

Attend and participate in practice meetings as required.

Communication

Utilise and demonstrate sensitive and professional communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognizing the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.

Represent the Practice in a positive, professional, and caring manner.

Act as an advocate when representing the patients' and colleagues' viewpoints to others.

Delivering a quality service

Produce accurate, contemporaneous, and complete records of patient consultations, consistent with legislation, professional regulations and Practice policies and procedures.

All records must be coded appropriately on the clinical computer system in accordance with QOF, enhanced services and Practice policies and protocols.

Participate in management, review, and identification of learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events.

Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of child/vulnerable adult health procedures and local guidance.

Work within policies relating to domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behavior, and refer as appropriate.

Ensure personal hygiene, image and dress code is appropriate to reflect good infection control procedures, high professional standards, and an efficient and organized service.

Team working

Understand your own role and that of others and identify how this may develop over time.

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of effective and friendly teamwork.

Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery

Participate and support projects as agreed with the practice management team.

Management of risk

Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients. If in doubt, always seek assistance.

Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs is undertaken.

Undertake mandatory and statutory training.

Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines.

Apply policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to health care for all.

Ensure that measures have been taken to protect personal immunology in accordance with Practice policy including hepatitis b and measles.

Learning and development

Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments.

Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Competence in the basic healthcare duties required for the post
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate routine information that requires tact and persuasive skills, or where there may be barriers to understanding
• Willingness to develop clinical skills and competency relevant to the role
• Ability to organise your own time and workload and cope with last minute changes
• General education (eg GCSEs) to grade C or above (to include Maths and English)
• Willingness to undergo education/training for both Practice and Service needs
• Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

• Experience as a HCA
• Phlebotomy
• Experience of working in General Practice
• Experience of EMIS Web clinical system
• Experience and training in administering adult vaccinations.

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 Lodge Health Partnership

Address

Normandy Road

St. Albans

AL3 5NP

Employer's website

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