Experienced Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Sherburn Group Practice

Job Description: Health Care Assistant in General Practice

Job Title:Experienced Health Care Assistant

Purpose: To assist the GPs and practice nurse team in the service and delivery of the care management of the practice population

Responsible to: Practice Manager, GP Partners

Job summary

The post holder works under indirect supervision of the GPS and undertakes tasks and duties delegated by the suitably qualified regulated professionals.

They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and procedures.

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
• 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 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
• Maintain the notice board in the waiting room and promote good health with educational material
• 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 following appropriate training

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 laboratory
• Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations:

1. blood pressure
2. pulse rate and rhythm
3. temperature
4. height and weight - body mass index
5. venepuncture
6. ECG
7. audiogram

• 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
• Support and monitor patients during nebulisation therapy

Information processes

• Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients, relatives, staff and the practice
• Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Basic literacy and numeracy skills
• Basic computer experience
• Willingness to undertake an NVQ or equivalent HCA qualification in primary care
• Willing to undertake continuing professional development as directed by the Practice
• Demonstrates a basic understanding of the needs of the patient and the role of the HCA
• Willing to develop clinical skills and competency relevant to the role e.g. phlebotomy skills equipment e.g. ECG machine
• Ability to assist others with the delivery of care e.g. assisting with IUCD/S and implant fitting/removal
• Fitness to do the job within manual-handing policy
• Concentration required daily, e.g. Ability to deal with occasional exposure to distressing circumstances or emotional events
• Ability to cope with occasional exposure to aggressive behaviour
• Ability to work with competing priorities
• Ability to deal tactfully and empathetically with distressed or anxious patients and carers
• Personal physical contact with patients
• Ability to work with high patient turnover and a pressurised environment on a daily basis
• Must be able to travel between sites and undertake occasional home visits
• Able to communicate routine information that requires tact and persuasive skills, or where there may be barriers to understanding
• Ability to communicate effectively via telephone or group discussion
• Good interpersonal skills
• Participate in the care of equipment
• Undertake stock control as appropriate
• Must either be Hepatitis B immune or be willing to undergo an immunisation course

Desirable

• HCA qualification
• Understands issues regarding accountability and delegation
• Experience working in a care environment

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

Sherburn Group Practice

Address

The Medical Centre

Beech Grove

Sherburn In Elmet

Leeds

LS25 6ED

Employer's website

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