Job responsibilities
JOB TITLEHealth Care Assistant - General Practice (HCA)
PAY GRADE Pay dependant on experience and qualifications
REPORTS TOGP Partners and Practice Nurse Team Leader (Clinically)
The Practice Manager (Administratively)
HOURS:
Purpose:
To assist the GPs and Practice Nurse Team in the service and delivery of the care and management of the Practice Population
Job Summary
The post holder works under indirect supervision of the Practice Nurse Team and undertakes tasks and duties delegated by the Practice Nurse Team Leader or a suitably qualified regulated professional.
They will work collaboratively with the General Practice Team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and procedures while providing supervision and training for less experienced Health Care Professionals
Key responsibilities
Communication
- Communicate effectively with other team members and be involved with supervision of Medical Students
- Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication
Personal and people development
- Take responsibility for own developmental, learning and performance, including participating in supervision and mandatory training
- Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
- Work with management on any new training requirements
- Participate in activities to further develop the role for the benefit of patients.
- To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the Primary Health Care Team
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, including:
- hand washing
- universal hygiene procedures
- collection and handling of laboratory specimens
- segregation and disposal of waste materials
- decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment
- reporting and treatment of sharps injuries
- dealing with blood and body fluid spillages
- Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures
- Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain
- Ensure that drug refrigeration is at correct temperature on a twice daily basis with record of minimum and maximum fridge temperature recorded as per protocol. Report any deviation in fridge temperature to the Senior Practice Nurse on duty or Practice Manager
- Ensure infection control is maintained including changing of disposable curtains in Clinical rooms
- Checking Sharps bins in all Clinical rooms and replacing appropriately
- Ensure safe storage and maintenance of Clinical Stock, ordering, disposal of expired stock, stock rotation and maintaining adequate stock levels within all clinical areas and Treatment Rooms
- Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility
- Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate
- Be aware of statutory Child and Adult Safeguarding Procedures and Statutory Local Guidance and referral criteria
- 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 and monitor safely
- Be able to identify the risks to health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the working environment according to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
- Send equipment for calibration and help with the annual calibration in house of all equipment
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
- Maintain the notice board in the waiting room and promote good health with educational material
- Ensure health promotion materials are available within the surgery ordering new stock when needed and actively taking part in displays for health promotion campaigns within the practice.
- 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
- 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
- Know the Practice's Policies, available in the Practice Staff Handbook
- Be able to manage your own time effectively
Equality and diversity
- Act in ways that recognise the importance of peoples 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
Clinical skills Health and Well-being
- Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training:
- Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the Pathology Laboratory
- Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations:
- blood pressure
- pulse rate and rhythm
- height and weight - body mass index
- spirometry
- ECG
- Other Clinical Skills/Duties
- Venepuncture
- Capillary Blood sampling (Blood Glucose)
- Fitting and removal of 24 hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor and Recall system
- Maintenance and continuity of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Loan Scheme within Practice
- Preparation of equipment and Assisting in Minor Operations
- Assist GP with Coil Fitting - Chaperone
- Giving of injections B12, Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccinations under Patient Specific Directive
- NHS Health Checks
- Able to advise patients re general lifestyle interventions including Smoking, Alcohol, Diet and Exercise
- Home Visits to Housebound Patients
- To undertake Chronic Disease Management Reviews
- Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions
- Organise and ensure continued maintenance and calibration of clinical equipment with accurate recording of information.
- Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted
- Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence
- Support and monitor patients during nebulisation therapy
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
- Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information
- Administer call and recall systems in relation to Chronic Disease Management as appropriate, organise appointments and follow up
Contribute to the Implementation of Services
The post holder will
Apply Practice and local policies, standards and guidelines that will affect own work
Discuss with other Team Members how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
Participate in Practice Clinical and Quest Meetings, Practice Nurse Team Meetings. Integrated Nurse Team Meetings and all that are felt appropriate as required
Participate in Audit where appropriate
With negotiation on occasions the post holder may be required to work different days and hours as required by the Practice which may include Evenings and weekends
On occasions flexible rotas may be required to cover for holidays or sickness
NB this list is not exhaustive and may be added to or amended according to the need of the Practice