Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The purpose of the post is to assist the GPs and nurse team in the delivery of safe, high quality primary care services to the practice population. The post holder will undertake delegated tasks and duties under indirect supervision of members of the nurse team. The post holder will work within clear parameters and lines of accountability after appropriate training and assessment of competence. The requirements of the post are linked to the Health Education England: District and General Practice Nursing Service Education and Career Framework.

Job Responsibilities/Principal Duties to include:

Under indirect supervision, assist in the delivery of primary health care interventions and care effectively and efficiently

Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions

Monitors and orders stock levels and equipment

Responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained

Act as chaperone as required/instructed

Maintenance of accurate and legible patient records in line with organisational requirements this includes contemporary paper records and electronic patient record system

Ensure that confidentiality, privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients are maintained and in line with organisational policy

Working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary general practice team and other healthcare professionals to promote integrated pathways of care to meet patient needs.

Effective communication with patients, carers and all members of the MDT

Effective prioritisation and completion of daily work

Ensure that any complaints or incidents are identified and reported to the Lead Nurse or Practice Manager in accordance with the organisational policy and expected professional practice

Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence and to acknowledge limitations.

Clinical care delivery

Working within guidelines and protocols undertake and record:

oUrinalysis and preparation of specimens for laboratory analysis

oTemperature, pulse and respiratory rate

oWeight, height, waist circumference and Body Mass Index

oMeasurement of legs for compression hosiery

oECGs, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

oNear patient testing e.g. blood glucose, lipids and INR

oDoppler ultrasound measurement working with registered nurse

oMeasurement of airway function (peak expiratory flow rate and spirometry)

Perform chaperoning duties as requested

Obtain venous blood samples from individuals for investigation if required

Processing and management of laboratory samples requested by Doctors/Nurses

Administer selected vaccines in accordance with the national schedule and legal authorization

Administer medications by injection with the appropriate legal authorisation.

Undertake vaccine/cold chain storage, monitoring and recording

Carry out care of wounds and apply dressings after initial assessment by registered nurse.

Remove wound closure materials including sutures, clips and staples.

Assist clinicians carrying out minor surgical procedures including sterilising, cleansing and maintenance of surgical equipment

Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions

Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients health and well-being

Undertaking specific clinical activities for named patients that have been delegated and taught specifically in relation to that individual

Helping to raise awareness of health and well-being and how it can be promoted

Assisting with the collection and collation of data on needs related to health and well-being

Other Tasks

Duties may vary from time to time under the direction of the Hub NED and/or Senior nurse Manager, dependent on current and evolving clinical practice developments.

Administrative/service support

Assist with management of clinical supplies e.g. monitoring stock levels, ordering, re-stocking of clinical areas and maintenance of equipment.

Participate in quality improvement e.g. audit, development of protocols and new services.

Attend practice/clinical/nurse meetings and contribute to the agenda in the development of the nursing service and where appropriate wider practice systems.

For experienced senior HCAs: supervise, teach, mentor and assess HCAs, students and new members of staff including acting as an assessor for HCAs undertaking the Care Certificate Framework and/or other elements of training/competency attainment.

Personal/professional development

Complete statutory training/updating and mandatory training as specified by the practice policy.

Achieve competence in the 15 standards of the Care Certificate Framework within three months of appointment.

Complete skills specific training and regular updating.

Inform practice manager or registered nurse if unable to perform any aspect of role competently

Actively participates and contributes to nurse team meetings

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 performance review, 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 Assurance & Governance:

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

Safeguarding Adults and Children:

It is the duty of all staff working for Lakeside Healthcare Group to safeguard children and adults, report any concerns and undertake safeguarding training at an appropriate level, in line with LHG mandatory training requirements

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

This job description is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as are consistent with the responsibility of this role. This job description is subject to periodic review and development.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Basic English and Maths GCE level c and above (new grade 4 and above).
• Ability to accept training, coaching and guidance (in prep for Care Certificate study.

Desirable

• Previous healthcare experience in clinical role.
• Completed Care Certificate.
• Qualified to NVQ level 2.
• Other recognised forms of educational attainment.

Experience

Essential

• Desire to work within care profession.
• Can work to a high standard of care under supervision.

Desirable

• Experience within a health care setting and/or primary care.

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

Lakeside Healthcare Group

Address

Cottingham Road

Corby

Northamptonshire

NN17 2UR

Employer's website

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