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:

Undertake new patient health checks

Support the Practice Nurse with health promotion programmes

Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature and pulse rate, recording findings accurately

Facilitate routine and 24-hour BP monitoring, advising patients accordingly

Undertake wound care, dressings and other clinical tasks as required

Support the Practice Nurse with the management of chronic disease clinics

Carry out BMI checks as directed

Act as a chaperone as required

When trained, undertake venepuncture

When trained, administer flu vaccinations

When trained, carry out ear irrigation under the supervision of the Practice Nurse

Carry out ECGs as requested

Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation

Provide support during minor operations as required

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

Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with extant guidance

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

Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the HCA may be requested to

Participate in practice audit as directed by the audit lead Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care

Support and participate in shared learning within the practice

Complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with the duty rota

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Healthcare qualification (level3 or 4)
• Previous completion of the HCA Care Certificate as detailed within GP Mythbuster No 57 - HCAs in General Practice
• Venepuncture
• Vaccination certification

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• ECGs
• New patient medicals, including height, weight, BP, pulse
• Chaperone procedure
• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes on Systmone/EMIS
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
• Flexible and cooperative

Desirable

• Basic IT skills
• Awareness of blood-borne viruses

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of one year's experience of working in a primary care setting
• Experience of dealing with vulnerable patients
• Experience of working within a nursing team
• Experience of dealing with vulnerable patients

Desirable

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Experience of using SystmOne and ICE

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Humberstone Medical Centre

Address

Humberstone Medical Centre

150 Wycombe Road

Leicester

LE5 0PR

Employer's website

https://www.humberstonemedicalcentre.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)