Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Healthcare Assistant. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

a.Undertake new patient health checks

b.Support the Practice Nurse with health promotion programmes

c.Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximitery, blood pressure, temperature and pulse rate, recording findings accurately

d.Facilitate routine and 24-hour BP monitoring, advising patients accordingly

e.Undertake wound care, dressings and other clinical tasks as required

f.Support the Practice Nurse with the management of chronic disease clinics

g.Carry out BMI checks as directed

h.Act as a chaperone as required

i.When trained, undertake venepuncture

j.When trained, administer flu vaccinations

k.When trained, carry out ear irrigation under the supervision of the Practice Nurse

l.Carry out ECGs as requested

m.Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation

n.Provide support during minor operations as required

o.Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session

p.Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with extant guidance

q.Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the organisations IPC policy

r.Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• * Healthcare qualification (level 3 or 4) or working towards gaining equivalent level
• * GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths

Desirable

• * Previous completion of the HCA Care Certificate - as detailed within GP Mythbuster No 57 - HCAs in General Practice
• * Phlebotomy certification
• * Vaccination certification

Experience

Essential

• * Experience of working with the general public
• * Experience of working in a healthcare setting
• * Experience of Venepuncture
• * New patient medicals, including height, weight, BP, pulse
• * Chaperone procedure
• * Ability to record accurate clinical notes

Desirable

• * Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• * ECGs
• * Experience of working in a primary care environment
• * Vaccination certification
• * Phlebotomy certification
• * Spirometry certifcation

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

West View Surgery

Address

Stanhope Parade Health Centre

Gordon Street

South Shields

Tyne and Wear

NE33 4JP

Employer's website

http://westviewsurgerysouthshields.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)