Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to full job description attached

Role Purpose

To provide Health Care Assistant (HCA) services to the practice population

Supported by the nursing team within the practice, the Health Care Assistant (HCA) will deliver care within the boundaries of their role and in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols.

Responsible for the care delivered, demonstrating critical thinking and skills in clinical decision making within the parameters of their qualifications and role requirements.

They will focus upon supporting patients to be healthy by assessing their needs, providing HCA care, health education advice, screening activities, implementing care at the surgery, community or other settings, maintaining clinically accurate records and running clinics.

They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients and support the delivery of policy and procedures and providing HCA guidance as required.

In addition to the above

Delivery of specialist clinics, evidence-based practice for patients with long-term conditions, management and preventative HCA interventions to all patients.

Referrals to health trainers and other community-based services

Participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes

Review patient data to work with the nursing team, to achieve focused patient healthcare

Active participation in achieving QOF and Enhanced Services targets and recall demands

To maintain mandatory training and remain current in practice

Attend GPS Nurse Team meetings

Liaise with Administration Support Team for Recalls, QOF and Enhanced Services inclusive of NHS Healthchecks

Liaise with Administration team regarding new services that HCAs can be involved with and how this may be implemented

To have regular communications with the Nursing team

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

The post holder will make professionally decisions, providing safe, evidence-based, cost-effective, individualised patient care. To include (this list is not exhaustive);

Health Checks:

• Blood Pressure, Height, Weight, BMI
• NHS Health Checks including referrals
• Referrals to health trainers and other community-based services

ECGs:

• Undertake ECGs both emergency & routine as directed by the GPs / ANP / PNs

Health and Well-being:

• Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate programmes to promote health and well-being, and prevent adverse effects on health and well-being
• Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies and encourage principles of self-care
• Offer holistic service to patients and their families, developing where appropriate an on-going plan of care/support, with an emphasis on prevention and self-care
• Weight management & advice

Minor Surgery:

• Assist GP in providing minor-surgery sessions, coil fits and Implanon fittings

Chronic Disease Management

• Undertake appropriate investigation, clinical observations and interventions following agreed guidelines for patients with chronic diseases CHD, Diabetes and Hypertension

Emergency Care

• Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care

Wound Management

• Removal of stiches

Phlebotomy

Manage all elements of phlebotomy clinics including Near Patient Testing

Pathology

• Take pathology samples from patients for analysis (blood, Sputum, urine etc)

Immunisation / vaccination

• Working within the remit of appropriate PSDs to undertake vaccination duties (B12, Flu, Pneumococcal etc.)

Mental health, adult & child safeguarding

• Recognise patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with the National Framework (NSF) for Mental Health. Raise relevant information with the duty GP
• Recognise adult and child safeguarding situation and act appropriately

Infection Control

Prepare clinical areas between patients in between patients in accordance with infection control procedures

Record fridge temperatures, clean fridges, promptly report temperature variations

Rotate stock according to date, maintain appropriate records and discard out of date stock in accordance with practice protocol

Take action to manage spills or decontamination in affected areas

Stock control

Maintain accurate stock records

Check and maintain all stock in clinical rooms / areas

Order stock (including vaccines) to maintain appropriate stock levels and store according to practice cold chain and storage policies.

Contribution to the implementation of Services

The post-holder will:

Apply national, local and practice policies, standards and guidance

Discuss with team members how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work

Participate in audit where appropriate

Deliver a quality service

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will;

Effectively manage own time, workload and resources

Reflect on own and team activities to identify risks, enhance performance and improve quality of patient care

Work within own competence

Produce accurate, specific and complete records of patient consultation

Deliver care according to the NSF and the NICE guidelines and evidence-based care.

Understand and apply statutory procedure and local guidance regarding the identification of vulnerable adults and children, domestic violence, substance abuse and addictive behaviour

Communication

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication and will strive to;

Communicate effectively with patients and carers to ensure they are fully informed and consent to treatment

Utilise effective communication skills to support patients

Provide support, guidance and information in a format that meets the needs of the patients

Communicate effectively with other team members and external stakeholders

Act as an advocate when representing the patients and colleagues viewpoints to others

Fully participate with team meetings, team activities and delivering the nursing agenda

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 recognises 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, non-judgmental and respects circumstances, feelings priorities and rights

Identify patterns of discrimination, take action to overcome this and promote diversity and quality of opportunity

Personal and Team Development

The post-holder will participate in any mandatory and statutory training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment. Actively participating in ongoing learning and development to include;

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

Understand own responsibilities and accountability in the delivery of HCA services to patients

Disseminate learning and information to other team members in order to share good practice

Provide educational role to patients , carers, families and colleagues to facilitate learning

Team Working

The post-holder will work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working. To include;

Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery.

Ensure clear understanding and utilisation of referral mechanisms within the practice

Accept delegation from other nurses, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management

Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team

Management of Risk

The post-holder will work effectively to manage risk including;

Monitor work areas and practices to ensure that they are safe, free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.

Ensure the safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs is undertaken.

Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years experience of working within Primary Care
• Experience of Emis clinical system
• Knowledge/Skills
• Competent in basic Healthcare Assistant duties required for the post including:
• - Long Term Conditions reviews
• - NHS Health Checks
• - Some vaccinations i.e. flu
• - Minor surgery support experience
• - Wound care management - to support minor surgery clinics
• - Phlebotomy
• Excellent communication 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 and articulate
• Able to work under pressure and use own initiative
• Able to work in a changing environment

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Care
• A demonstrable commitment to Continuous Professional Development
• Minimum of 2 years experience within a primary care setting

Desirable

• Experience of Emis clinical system

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

Barrington Medical Centre Partnership

Address

Altrincham Health & Wellbeing Centre

33 Market Street

Altrincham

Cheshire

WA14 1PF

Employer's website

https://www.barringtonmc.co.uk/EN/index.aspx#Home--0--0-- (Opens in a new tab)