Job responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT
RESPONSIBLE TO: Direct supervision from ANP, Practice Nurses, and GPs with direction from the Practice Manager.
OBJECTIVE: To provide healthcare support skills to clinical staff during contracted hours by providing venepuncture, preventative care, screening and patient education, and also any administrative duties.
GENERAL
As part of the nursing team the Healthcare Assistant will be employed to undertake nursing and administrative duties as deemed suitable by the Partners. Full training will be given. The HCA will work alongside a member of the nursing team and will refer to the doctor when necessary. The role involves the use of the computer and keyboard skills along with the ability to organise and prioritise workload are necessary.
All duties will be carried out according to training and practice guidelines, and a professional manner is essential at all times. Regular updates will be provided.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
NURSING
New patient registration checks, including completing any necessary paperwork
BP monitoring & hypertensive checks
Urinalysis
Phlebotomy
Provide lifestyle information and make any necessary referrals within the practice
Height & weight measurement
Ensure specimens are bagged and labelled ready for collection times complete with any necessary paperwork
Oversee clinical waste collection, reporting any problems to the Practice Manager
Ensure sharps bins are ready for collection
Restocking/maintenance of equipment
Cleaning and sterilisation of clinical instruments
Restocking clinical areas and consulting rooms
Chaperone
Peak flow and spirometry
ECG readings
Set up patients for 24 hour BP monitoring and download data when completed
Provide support for minor surgical procedures
Provide support for IUCD fittings
Administration of flu vaccine
ADMINISTRATION
Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the practice team
Ensure accurate and legible notes of all consultation and treatments are recorded in the patients notes
Ensure the clinical computer system is kept up to date with accurate details recorded
Ensure appropriate data is recorded to support the Quality and Outcomes Framework initiative
Ensure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient healthcare and registration with the practice
Attend and participate in practice meetings as required
Assist in formulation of practice philosophy, strategy and policy
To assist in the call and recall appointment systems
To provide assistance in seasonal campaigns, ie flu campaign
Book appointments and recalls ensuring sufficient information is recorded to enable retrieval of the record and support for the follow up consultation
Monitor appointment schedule to ensure system is running appropriately, reporting any problems to Practice Manager
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 may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to 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 AND SAFETY
The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:
Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines
Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks
Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
Reporting potential risks identified
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:
Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation
Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.
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
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
COMMUNICATION
The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:
Communicate effectively with other team members
Communicate effectively with patients and carers
Recognize 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
- Complies with safeguarding training requirements as set out by employment terms and any relevant professional and national bodies
- Takes prompt and timely action when there are any welfare or safeguarding concerns
- Forms appropriate relationships with those they care for and maintains professional boundaries in their work.
- Works within organisational policies, procedures and guidance.
- Is committed to demonstrating the organisations values and behaviours in their work
AS THE POST IS EVOLVING, FURTHER DUTIES MAY BE ADDED AS ARE DEEMED APPRORIATE TO THE POST
