Healthcare Assistant (HCA)

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. JOB SUMMARY

Working under the direct supervision of the PCN Clinical Lead / PCN Manager and strictly in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols, the Healthcare Assistant will assist the Primary Care Network and practice clinical teams in the provision and delivery of prescribed programmes of patient care.

2. Main Duties and Responsibilities

ECG recording

To undertake Doppler testing

Blood Pressure Monitoring following practice hypertension guidelines, issue HBPM in accordance with practice policy

Phlebotomy including perform annual blood tests, BP, BMI, ACR as requested for patients with chronic diseases

FeNo breath tests

Urinalysis MSU, ACR in accordance with practice policy

Weight Management

Chaperoning duties

Processing and management of laboratory samples requested by GPs/Nurses

Administer influenza and other vaccines according to PSD, following training

Surgical equipment and vaccine re-stocking and stock rotation

Clearing and re-stocking consulting rooms

Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients health and well-being

Help to raise awareness of health and well-being and how it can be promoted

Assisting with the collection and collation of data on needs related to health and well-being

Assist with recall systems

Lifestyle advice, (diet, weight, exercise, smoking cessation, alcohol) making necessary referrals within PHCT and local support services

Maintain health promotion information in waiting room designated for patient education

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

1. Health & Safety

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their 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

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 to infection control lead

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 recognizes 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 to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional Development:

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

Mandatory training will include resuscitation, child protection, adult safeguarding, fire and emergency procedures

Participation in 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 and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Attend and participate in Continuing Professional Development practice clinical meetings and practice meetings as required.

Participate in EPC and attend huddles as requested.

Quality

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk

Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision

Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance

Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs

Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Participate in any research projects with the practice as requested

Actively engage in the development of new working models and promote to colleagues

Communication

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

Record accurate comprehensive notes of all consultations and encounters on patients computerised records using templates where applicable

Communicate effectively with other team members

Communicate effectively with patients and carers

Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Check tasks and emails daily and respond in a timely manner

Contribution to the Implementation of Services

The post-holder will:

Apply practice policies, standards and guidance

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

Participate in audit where appropriate

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of working as a HCA or equivalent
• Can carry out clinical, technical, scientific or administrative duties according to established protocols or procedures, or systems of work
• Successful completion of probation (6 months minimum)

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in Primary Care/ or similar NHS setting

Qualifications

Essential

• English & Maths GCSE (or equivalent)
• NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care or Care Certificate

Desirable

• HCA Training

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Demonstrates sound factual knowledge of the field of work
• Ability to demonstrate excellent communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Strong organisational skills
• IT literate
• Willingness to work flexibly (potentially across multiple site)
• Good understanding of the importance of confidentiality

Desirable

• Previous experience using EMIS web

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

Yeovil Primary Care Network

Address

Abbey Manor Medical Practice

The Forum

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 3TL

Employer's website

https://yeovilpcn.gpweb.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)