Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Health Care Assistant. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Support & Patient Care:

ECG Recording

Phlebotomy

INR (Point of Care) Testing

Chaperoning Duties: Provide support and ensure patient comfort during examinations and procedures.

Assisting in Clinical Interventions:

• Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during, and after patient care interventions.
• Assist GPs during minor operations, contraception insertion, and other medical procedures.
• Assessing and Supporting Patient Health:
• Help in the assessment and ongoing surveillance of patients' health and well-being.
• Undertake specific delegated clinical activities tailored to individual patients' needs.
• Promoting Health and Well-being: Raise awareness of health promotion, encouraging healthy lifestyle choices and preventive care.
• NHS Health Checks: Assist in conducting health checks as part of preventive care services.

Stock Management & Equipment Handling:

Vaccine/Cold Chain Storage & Monitoring:

• Ensure the correct storage, monitoring, and recording of vaccines in line with cold chain requirements.
• Download data from temperature loggers weekly and report any temperature breaches to the nurse.
• Assist in contacting drug companies if fridge failures occur.
• Surgical Equipment and Vaccine Re-stocking: Re-stock and rotate vaccines and surgical equipment to maintain proper stock levels.
• Stock Control, Monitoring, and Re-ordering:
• Regularly monitor stock levels and reorder supplies, including baby vaccines (via Immform) and general stores (e.g., Hillcroft / Williams).
• Ensure timely ordering of patient education leaflets and booklets (e.g., cholesterol and BP books, diabetes leaflets).
• Room Stocking & Cleaning: Clear, clean, and re-stock consulting rooms regularly to maintain a hygienic and well-organised environment.

Clinical Administration & Data Management:

Record Keeping:

• Record vaccine batch numbers in Excel upon receipt of vaccine deliveries.
• Ensure safe disposal of clinical waste and manage waste disposal logs.
• Patient Recall Management:
• Contact patients to recall them for overdue blood tests and vaccinations.
• Assisting with Program Organisation:
• Help nurses plan and organise vaccination campaigns such as annual flu vaccinations, MMR catch-ups, and pertussis.
• Patient Education Materials: Ensure patient education materials (e.g., leaflets and booklets) are stocked and reordered as necessary.
• PGD (Patient Group Directions) Management:
• Download new PGDs as released and ensure they are signed by the relevant healthcare professionals.
• File paper copies in the appropriate folder and upload electronic copies to the shared drive.
• Clinical Audits:
• Assist with audits as requested, including infection control, waste management, and handwashing practices.
• Immunisation Data Reporting: Submit children's immunisation data to Child Health for record-keeping.

Compliance and Safety:

Ensure Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste: Safely manage and dispose of clinical waste in compliance with regulations.

Monitor and Report: Regularly monitor clinical activities, ensuring compliance with health and safety

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Working in primary care
• Phlebotomy experience

Desirable

• Experience of working in a GP practice within primary care

Qualifications

Essential

• 2 years plus experience
• Care Qualification
• Phlebotomy experience

Desirable

• As above

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

Chobham and West End Medical Practice

Address

16 Windsor Road

Chobham

Woking

GU24 8NA

Employer's website

https://chobhamandwestend.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)