Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Healthcare Assistant

LOCATION: Ivy Medical Group 2 site practice

RESPONSIBLE TO: Lead Practice Nurse/Practice Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Practice Partners

Job Summary

To assist with the delivery and provision of high quality primary health care service for patients within the practice including clinical and administrative tasks in which they have been trained and/or shown to be competent.

The HCA will work collaboratively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team in order to promote a high standard of health and well-being amongst the patient population and to facilitate access to appropriate medical personnel when required.

Main duties and responsibilities

• To assist the GPs and nurses in providing a high standard of care for the practice population within the practice policies, procedures and guidelines.
• To assist the GPs, nurses and practice staff to meet the nationally agreed targets for health as agreed in the GMS and Enhanced Services contract.
• To carry out clinical and administrative duties under the supervision of a senior member of staff.

Clinical Tasks

Undertake, record and follow practice protocols within your scope of practice, including:

• Venepuncture
• Electrocardiographs (ECGs)
• Blood pressure and pulse monitoring
• 24hr Ambulatory monitoring
• New Patient checks
• NHS Health Checks
• Lifestyle monitoring
• Urinalysis
• Vitamin B12 injections
• Basic wound care, suture and clip removal
• Processing and management of laboratory samples requested by GPs/nurses
• Health education including promoting the health benefits of a healthy diet, smoking cessation and exercise

• Assisting the GPs with womens health clinics and minor surgery clinics
• Chaperoning
• Clearing and re-stocking consulting rooms
• Check the emergency drugs and equipment
• Be competent in or willing to work towards administering vaccinations under PSD, including flu, pneumococcal, shingles and Covid-19
• Ear irrigation
• Home visits

Clerical tasks

• Input of general data and clinical information onto electronic patients records
• Stock taking and ordering supplies of clinical/medical equipment
• Restocking of clinical rooms as required
• Dealing with telephone enquiries as appropriate
• Referral of patients to other medical or administrative personnel and voluntary agencies when appropriate
• Preparation of equipment for testing and servicing
• Source and maintain relevant information leaflets and literature for patient displays

Management/Leadership Responsibilities

• Support the GPs and nurses in the management and execution of clinical practice
• Manage own workload effectively within the practice clinic times
• Attend and contribute to clinical and Practice meetings
• Take reasonable care of own health and safety and that of others and use equipment correctly in accordance with statutory legislation and practice policies at all times
• Work within the Primary Care Practice infection control principals and guidelines
• Conduct risk assessments in situations where personal, colleague or patient safety may be compromised
• Follow the practice procedures and policies for dealing with complaints, disciplinary and grievance issues
• Ensure that all those persons met within the course of the job are given equality of treatment and are not discriminated against
• Participate in audit where appropriate

Research/Education and Training

• Assist in the evaluation of current practice and service provision by participating in the collection of data, clinical audit and user satisfaction surveys
• Participate in regular staff appraisals and performance reviews
• Undertake appropriate training or development courses as identified through the use of a Personal Development Plan
• Attend and complete online mandatory training as required
• Assist in the induction of new staff members

Communication/Key Working Relationships

• Liaise and work collaboratively with the GPs, nurses, practice staff and outside agencies as deemed appropriate
• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients reporting relevant information or concerns to senior staff promptly
• Explain clinical procedures to patients clearly in order to obtain informed consent
• Document written and electronic information accurately and professionally
• Ensure confidentiality in all matters relating to patients, staff and information obtained in the course of employment in line with statutory legislation
• Recognise the limitations of own scope of knowledge and practice and be aware of when to refer to senior member of staff
• Adhere to the practice uniform policy

Health, Safety and Security

Assist in promoting and maintaining your 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

Management and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the practice, including provision, ordering, availability and ongoing correct usage by staff

Be able to identify the risks of health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the working environment according to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

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

Understand apply the principles of the cold chain and carry out data downloads from vaccine fridge data loggers

Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility

Know the general principles of first aid and anaphylaxis and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate

Be aware of statutory child health procedures, statutory local guidance and referral criteria

To carry out decontamination of a room occupied by a suspected Covid patient

Other Duties and Responsibilities

In line with practice changes and service demands, Health Care Assistants are expected to demonstrate a flexible approach to working practices and may be asked to assume other responsibilities consistent with their level of competence as required in order to meet service needs.

To be the practice Carers Champion

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE English and Maths or equivalent,
• Level 2 Diploma in Health & Social care,
• Level 2 Clinical Healthcare (or equivalent experience).
• A demonstrable commitment to professional development.

Desirable

• Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social care,
• Level 3 Clinical Healthcare (or equivalent experience).
• Certified to administer flu vaccinations.

Experience

Essential

• Competent in the basic healthcare nursing duties required for the post.
• Phlebotomy.
• Experience of dealing with the public/patients.
• Experience of Microsoft Office software.

Desirable

• Experience of using SystmOne clinical system.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• The ability to handle patients with sensitivity and respect.
• The ability to relate to people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of primary care and the NHS.

Qualities and aptitudes

Essential

• Able to demonstrate enthusiasm to develop healthcare nursing skills.
• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense.
• Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities.
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team.
• Pleasant, professional and articulate.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Able to work in a changing environment.
• Able to use own initiative.

Desirable

• Good sense of humour and energy.

Additional requirements

Essential

• Ability to provide early morning or early evening sessions as required.
• Full driving licence and the ability to travel between locations.
• Own transport.

Desirable

• Flexibility of working hours/ability to work at the desired times.

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

Ivy Medical Group

Address

4 Wheatsheaf Court

Burton Joyce

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire

NG14 5EA

Employer's website

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