Health Care Assistant - HCA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Professional

• Work effectively as part of a team.
• Work under direct or indirect supervision of a registered practitioner
• Work to agreed protocols and procedures
• Solve routine problems within scope of role and competencies and escalate when required.
• Must understand the concept of accountability and responsibility and be confident to accept delegated responsibility for a registered practitioner after necessary preparatory training.
• Attend practice and group meetings within the practice.
• Complete statutory training/updates and mandatory training as specified by the practice.
• Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance and identify gaps in knowledge and skills.

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

Help support the development of other staff including pre-registration nurses

Knowledge

Have underpinning knowledge of key interventions and conditions cared for in the primary care setting.

Ability to recognise factors that impact on health and be able to offer simple health advice.

Non Clinical role

To undertake infection control and prevention measures within the Practice.

To assist with ordering of clinical stock/supplies for the practice

To assist with monitoring/maintaining of medical equipment/devices

Clinical Role

To undertake and record the following in consultations after appropriate training completed (these may include but not exhaustive of):

o Phlebotomy

o Preparation of specimens for laboratory analysis

o NHS Health-Checks/Annual Health Checks for some long term conditions

o Height and weight, BMI and waist measurements

o COPD 6 readings

o Blood pressure, temperature and pulse

o Recording ECG

o Recording 24 hour BP

o Urinalysis

o Health promotion

o Diabetic foot checks

o Spirometry

o Basic Hypertension

o Ear Irrigation

o Administration of selected vaccines/medication by injection with the appropriate legal authorisation.

To assist clinicians with minor surgical procedures, including setting up and tidying away.

To act as chaperone.

To assist in basic wound care management under direct or indirect supervision after initial assessment by a Registered Practitioner.

To include removal of wound closure materials including sutures, clips and staples.

Communication

Communicate clearly with patients/carers and relatives about their presenting condition and planned care.

Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

Work collaboratively with all colleagues and outside agencies.

Awareness of data protection issues.

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder will have access to confidential information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice Policies and Procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Health & Safety

The post-holder will support, promote and maintain the Practices Health & Safety Policy and Procedures and the Practices Infection Control Policy and Procedures.

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support, promote and maintain the Practices Equality & Diversity Policy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ level 3/QCF level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or equivalent.

Knowledge

Essential

• Maintenance of up to date knowledge and skills in relation to roles undertaken
• Understanding of Infection prevention and Control measures
• Understanding of effective team working

Skills

Essential

• Good organisational skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills

Additional

Essential

• Enhanced DBS Certification
• Legal Right to work in the UK
• Hep B- Vaccinated or willing to be vaccinated
• A flexible and adaptable approach to maintain the consistent delivery of high quality services

Experience

Essential

• Experience of infection prevention and control measures in clinical practice.
• Phlebotomy experience

Desirable

• Experience working with EMIS/SystmOne
• Experience working in 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

Latham House Medical Practice

Address

Sage Cross Street

Melton Mowbray

Leicestershire

LE13 1NX

Employer's website

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