Job responsibilities
Sele Medical Practice
HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT - JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Health Care Assistant (HCA)
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Clinically - Practice Nurses/Partners
Administratively Practice Manager
JOB PURPOSE:To be part of the general practice team providing high quality and forward thinking care to meet the holistic needs of our population
To work to agreed standards and protocols
Aims and Objectives
1.To work as a member of the primary healthcare team
2.To support qualified staff in the management and execution of clinical practice, and work autonomously within clinical guidelines and protocols where necessary
3.To promote equality of care and non-discriminatory practice, acknowledging a patient's personal beliefs and identity
4.To ensure accurate input and retrieval of computerised information for monitoring and auditing processes using EMIS web.
Primary Duties and Areas of Responsibility
1.Clinical Nursing Practice
The Healthcare Assistant works under indirect supervision and is accountable to the partners in undertaking delegated work. However, this is guided by standard operating procedures and requires the individual to use a degree of initiative. The HCA also provides support for other members of the healthcare team and contributes towards the coordination of team activities.
Undertakes agreed procedures which include but are not exhaustive;
Blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm, temperature, height and weight - body mass index, venepuncture.
Participates in programmes for the management of long term conditions, e.g. diabetes, coronary heart disease, etc.
Assists patients and where appropriate encourages self care and self management of self limiting conditions through health promotion
Refers to other healthcare professionals where appropriate
Works within all relevant practice policies and procedural guidelines e.g. infection control, health and safety, chaperoning etc.
Participates in any other new developments, and undertakes any training relevant to new developments as appropriate
The HCA must work within the limits of their competence and seek guidance when encountering unfamiliar situations.
2.Health Promotion
Encourages and supports individuals, families and groups to address issues which affect their health and social well being
Represents the interests of individuals and families when they are not able to do so themselves
Helps to develop and maintain health promotion displays in waiting areas
3.Manage and Lead
Contributes to the development, monitoring and evaluation of care delivery by the healthcare team
Works collaboratively as a team member to achieve team objectives and shared aspirations
Participates in clinical supervision for own development
Actively participates in practice meetings where appropriate
Develops own knowledge and practice to meet objectives/service developments
4.Influence and Develop Policy
Contribute to practice policy development as required
5.Manage and Use Information
Makes effective use of IT systems by ensuring consistent and accurate entering of data
Contributes to an effective system of call and recall of patients
Ensures accurate retrieval of information for monitoring and auditing processes
Makes recommendations to raise standards of practice where necessary
Ensures patient confidentiality in relation to patient details and diagnosis at all times in accordance with Data Protection Act and Caldicott principles
Check reminders, recalls and QoF alerts
Use of digital communication tools (e.g., AccuRx, online triage systems) in line with practice protocols
6.Personal & Professional Development
To undertake continuous personal development with support and guidance from senior staff
To participate in training and keep a record of mandatory and other training and development activities
Participate in any training and development relevant to new service developments as and when appropriate
To incorporate up-to-date techniques and developments into day-to-day practice as agreed with the relevant Clinical Leads
7.Research & Development
Contributes to practice audit/research activity as required
8.Working Conditions
Frequent exposure to bodily fluids e.g. blood and urine
Potential exposure to aggressive behaviour
Frequent use of computer screens
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Health and Safety at Work Act
The post holder is required to take responsible care for the health and safety of him/herself and other persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work. The post holder is also required to co-operate with Sele Medical Practice to ensure that statutory and departmental safety regulations are adhered to.
Confidentiality
The post holder has a responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, and Caldicott Principles.
Equal Opportunities
Sele Medical Practice welcomes all persons without regard to age, ethnic or national origin, gender or sexual orientation, religion, lifestyle, presenting illness, marital or parental status or disability. We aim to provide a non-judgemental service at all times.
Other duties
The post holder will be required to undertake any other duties according to the needs of the Practice. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities, but rather an outline of the main areas of responsibility. Any reasonable changes will be discussed and agreed with the post holder before any variations to the job description are made.
This post is subject to DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance and statutory training
