Job responsibilities
Job Description
Health Care Assistant (General
Practice)
Purpose
To support clinical staff in delivering
high-quality, patient-centred care by assisting with clinical and
administrative tasks within the GP surgery.
The role contributes to ensuring patients receive safe, efficient care,
carrying our procedures and supporting patients to maintain a healthy
lifestyle.
Job Summary
The role
requires initiative and good judgement but will always be supported more senior
clinicians on duty who can assist you.
Whilst
following the appropriate clinical guideline, duties will include:
Key Responsibilities
Clinical skills health and well-being
Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have
received appropriate training:
Phlebotomy
Labelling test samples correctly for transportation
to labs
Carry out screening and measurements such as blood
pressure, height, weight, BMI, urinalysis, pulse rate and rhythm, temperature,
ECG taking, blood glucose readings.
Record relevant past medical history when doing
patient health checks/annul reviews, and collect lifestyle data such as current
smoking status, exercise and alcohol consumption.
Smoking Cessation
Provide health promotion and education (eg use of
medical devices) to patients
Chaperone
for other clinicians
Refer
patients to other clinicians where necessary
Demonstrate a basic understanding of long term
conditions and provide education/support to patients to self-manage their
conditions.
Administer influenza, pneumococcal, shingles and
vitamin B12 injections on the instruction of a regulated profession and respond
appropriately in the rare event of an adverse reaction to vaccination.
Admin Responsibilities
Maintain clinical stock.
Restock clinical areas with supplies.
Support the delivery of targets including contacting patients to provide
information and to invite them to attend clinics where required.
Implement health promotion activities.
Communication
Communicate effectively with other team members
Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their
needs for alternative methods of communication
Ability to provide and receive sensitive information
Participation in
practice meetings.
Personal and people development
Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance,
including participating in supervision
Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
Work with management on any new training requirements
To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of
individuals working in the primary health care team
Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of a HCA
Health, Safety and Security
Use the personal security systems within the workplace according to
practice guidelines
Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a
way that manages the risks
Use appropriate infection control procedures and maintain work areas in
each clinical room so that they are clean, safe and free from hazards reporting
of any potential risks identified.
Follow
waste management policies including hazardous waste
Ensure
safe storage of vaccines following the cold chain policies
Know the health and safety policies and procedures within the workplace,
including fire procedures, maintaining documentation, monitoring and
maintaining of equipment and furniture within your area of responsibility
Use the computer monitor and your workstation safely
Service Improvement
Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit
Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new
services and other initiatives
Deal with requests from patients
and clinical staff for health information leaflets
Quality
Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of
patients
Have an understanding of the processes involved in protecting vulnerable
children and adults and act accordingly
Ensure own actions are consistent with Clinical Governance systems
Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care
Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the team
Ensure stock items under your control are ordered and available in the
treatment and consulting rooms
Know how Clinical Governance affects the HCA role and bring to the
attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation
Follow practice policies such as health and safety,
confidentiality and information governance and attend training where
appropriate.
Support and work towards the achievement of QOF
Enter data onto practice clinical system EMIS WEB
using accurate codes in order to ensure accurate information retrieval for
financial and audit processes and monitoring of patients.
Be able to manage your own time effectively
Equality and Diversity
Act in ways that recognise the importance of people's rights,
interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures
Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and carers
Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse,
family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour
Act as a chaperone
Information processes
Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in
an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate
Maintain confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives,
staff and the practice
The job description is subject to periodic review
and amendment in consultation with the post holder in changing circumstances.