Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the healthcare 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:

( all aspects of Role will have supervised training and competancy assessed and ongoing support with Practice Nurses)

a. Undertake new patient health checks

b. Assist in the provision of both planned and opportunistic Health Promotion Programmes .

c. Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximitery, blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, weight, BMI & record and action findings appropriately

d. Undertake routine and 24-hour BP monitoring, following Practice Protocols

e. Assist in the provision of wound care, dressings and other clinical tasks as required

f. Support the practice nurse with the management of chronic disease clinics

g. Undertake monthly stock checks and ordering

h. Chaperone patients

i. Undertake venepuncture

j. Administer Influenza vaccinations

k. Carry out ear irrigation under the supervision of the practice nurse

l. Record ECGs

m. Undertake spirometry

n. Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation

o. Provide support during minor operations

p. Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session

q. Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with extant guidance

r. Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the practice IPC policy

Secondary Responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the healthcare assistant may be requested to:

a. Participate in practice audit as directed by the audit lead

b. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care

c. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice

d. Complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with the duty rota

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Healthcare qualification (level 3 or 4) or working towards gaining equivalent level.

Skills and knowledge

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Strong IT skills.
• Clear, polite telephone manner.
• Effective time management (Planning & Organising).
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure.

Desirable

• EMIS user skills.

Other requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours.
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Occupational Health Clearance.
• Comply with mandatory vaccination requirements unless exempt.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a healthcare setting.
• Experience of working with the general public.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a primary care environment.
• Experience of wound care/suture removal.
• ECGs.
• Venepuncture.
• Chaperone procedure.
• New patient medicals.

Personal qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident.
• Flexible and cooperative.
• Motivated.
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required.
• High levels of integrity and loyalty.
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
• Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations.
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Effectively utilises resources.
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort.

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

Belvidere Medical Practice

Address

23 Belvidere Road

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

SY2 5LS

Employer's website

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