Job responsibilities
Responsibilities: To assist in patient care and practice related duties as delegated by and under the indirect supervision of a registered healthcare professional where training and competencies have been completed and assessed. The post holder will work collaboratively with the General Practice team to meet the needs of patients and their carers, following policy and procedures.
- Identify patients and their personal information using their ID, documents or other means
- Determine the right venipuncture method based on patient age, health etc.
- Reassure patients and help them relax
- Find veins that are suitable for puncture
- Draw blood using sterilized needles, vials and other equipment
- Ensure optimal quality and quantity of samples
- Label samples correctly and send them for testing
- Measuring and recording: blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm, temperature, height and weight, BMI
- Answer patient questions and provide useful information
- Keep accurate records on fluid specimens and tests
- Adhere to all relevant health and safety standards while working
- Stock ordering and ensuring rooms are compliant with infection control
Requirements and skills:
- Experience with effective puncture techniques
- Understanding of proper patient identification methods
- Knowledge of legal requirements about drawing blood, handling fluid samples and use of relevant medical equipment and material
- Ability to use computers to enter information
- Excellent communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to connect with all patients and make them feel comfortable
- Patience and presence of mind
Overview of responsibilities
- Establish and maintain communication with people about routine and daily activities. Support for other members of the team and contribute towards the coordination of team activities.
- Develop own knowledge and skills, and that of others.
- Assist in maintaining own health and safety, and that of others.
- Assist in maintaining and developing services for patients.
- Ensure own actions promote quality, and support equality, diversity and rights.
- Assist in assessing and addressing peoples health and wellbeing and related needs. Protect health and wellbeing.
- Input data
Communication
Communicate effectively with other team members, actively participating in team meetings.
Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication
Personal and people development
Be aware of accountability and vicarious liability issues.
Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, alongside clinical supervision.
Take responsibility for maintaining a record of personal development
Work with management on any new training requirements.
Demonstrate skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.
Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of an HCA.
To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary 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 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 safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility.
Know the principles of first aid, anaphylaxis and resuscitation procedures.
Mandatory training in fire and resuscitation.
Maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintenance/calibration of equipment and furniture within your area.
Use the computer monitor safely
Be able to identify the risks to health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the working environment.
Service improvement
Be aware of, and assist in 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 promotion leaflets.
Quality, equality and diversity.
Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients.
Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance.
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 Phlebotomist role and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation.
Know the Practices policies, protocols and be aware of all issues covered in staff handbook.
Be able to manage time effectively.
Act in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, consent and confidentiality.
Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and their carers.
Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour.
Clinical Skills - health and wellbeing
Undertake and record and follow guidelines for the tasks you have received appropriate training.
Venepuncture to include use of needle and syringe, vacutainer sampling, butterfly needle.
Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence
Information Processes
Make effective use of the IT system by ensuring the timely, consistent and accurate entering of data and use of Read Codes.
Contribute to a system of call and recall of patients to facilitate QOF.
Maintaining confidentiality of information relating to patients, staff and the Practice.
Use of communication via tasks/messaging/notifications for Reception and Nursing team issues.
Make recommendations to raise standards of communication within the practice.
Access and sending of e-mail including attachments
Ability to use computer and manage files
Retrieve and access information