Job responsibilities
Purpose
The post
holder is responsible for the delivery of a range of Health Care Assistant
duties to the whole practice population. The role combines delivering health care
promotion and prevention strategies, population screening, patient assessments,
and supporting the clinical work of other professionals in the practice. The
Primary Care Navigator role will involve signposting patients to other agencies
who can help and support patients and their carers with non-medical problems
and difficulties. The case load of the post holder will vary according to their
level of experience, and training.
The post
holder will frequently work unsupervised and is accountable for the care they
deliver. Most care will be delivered within the practice; there may be the need
to occasionally visit a patient at home, or a care home. They will work collaboratively
within the practice team to meet the needs of patients, support the delivery of
policy and implementation of procedures.
All our staff are expected to be passionate about
the service they provide, actively engage in their own and team development and
act with integrity and compassion at all times. They will lead by example with
particular reference to promoting excellence in preventative healthcare, communication
with patients, equality and diversity and Patient Confidentiality.
Key Responsibilities Clinical and Signposting
- To undertake, record and follow
guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training.
The following list which is not exhaustive details the typical range of
tasks undertaken:
1.
Phlebotomy
2.
Basic dressings and suture / staple
removal
3.
Urinalysis
4.
Measuring and recording physiological
measurements such as blood pressure, height and weight
5.
Supporting the annual review process
for patients with long term conditions, diabetic foot checks etc
6.
Carrying out NHS Health Checks
7. Signposting/Supporting patients with local smoking
cessation programmes
8.
Instructing patients in the use of 24
hour ambulatory BP monitor
9.
Administration of vaccines using
patient specific directives
- To prepare and maintain
environments and equipment before, during and after patient care
interventions
- To respect patients privacy and
dignity at all times
- To be aware of the physical,
social and emotional health needs of patients within the limits of competence
and adapt your approach accordingly; discussing any concerns with senior
colleagues, or initiating onward referral when required
- Ensure adherence
to local chaperoning policies
- To be aware of patients presenting
with mental health needs and encourage them to engage with other service
providers
- Recognise when patients present
with urgent or emergency situations, and be capable of initiation of appropriate
emergency care in line with BLS training
- Support patients to adopt health
promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily, and apply
principles of self-care
- To give patients the opportunity
to discuss non-medical concerns / issues / worries they may have and
suggest interventions, or appropriate referral to third party.
- Support and encourage patients to
access third party support, acting as their representative when
appropriate
- Develop knowledge of and resources
relating to local third party organisations and charities who patients can
access, or be referred to
- Network with and participate in
shared learning events with locality and network signposting staff
- To maintain contemporaneous and
accurate medical records; utilising electronic patient information system,
agreed templates and coding protocols.
- To ensure the clinical environment
is fit for purpose, and ensuring compliance with infection control
measures, clinical waste disposal, safety of equipment and stock control
(including Drug and vaccine storage)
Key Responsibilities Communication
- Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to
ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment and
intervention
- Communicate effectively with patients and
carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to
overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and
preferred ways of communicating
- Establish and maintain effective communication
with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with
external stakeholders
- Act as an advocate when representing patients
and colleagues
Key Responsibilities Delivering a Quality Service
- Recognise and work within own competence and to
only undertake tasks that you have been trained to do
- Prioritise, organise and manage own workload
in a manner that maintains and promotes quality
- Work with the team to deliver care according
to guidelines, evidence-based care and local policy
- Undertake delegated responsibilities in
relation to stock ordering, control and distribution
- Assess effectiveness of care delivery through
self and peer review, shared learning, annual appraisal and clinical
supervision
- Understand the importance of identifying and
reporting incidents and near-misses, reporting any on the SIRMS system,
and informing senior colleagues
- Understand the importance of being open and
honest with patients
- Understand and apply policies that support the
identification of vulnerable children and adults, being aware of statutory
child/vulnerable adult health procedures and local guidance on
Safeguarding
- Work within policies regarding domestic
violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and
refer as appropriate
- Manage and assess risk within the areas of
responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff
and patients
- Monitor work areas and practices to ensure
they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and
security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines
Key Responsibilities
Leadership, Development and Training
- Take responsibility for own development and
performance; assessing own learning needs and undertake learning as
appropriate
- Make effective use of learning opportunities
within and outside the workplace, evaluating their effectiveness and
feeding back relevant information
- Contribute in planning and implementing changes
within the areas of care and responsibility
- Undertake mandatory and statutory training
requirements
Key Responsibilities
Team Working
- Understand own role and scope of practice
- Understand the role of the other members of
the Practice team, and enable patients to access them appropriately
- Work as an effective and responsible team
member, supporting others and contribute to developing new ways of working
- Participate in team activities that create
opportunities to improve patient care
- Participate in and support local projects as
agreed with the practice management team
Key Responsibilities Utilising information and IT systems
- Routinely use technology to support and
undertake day to day tasks, planning and communication (EMISWEB, NHS Mail
and local intranet system)
- Review and process data using accurate Read
codes and local templates to ensure easy and accurate retrieval for
monitoring and audit processes
- Understand the responsibility of self and
others regarding the Data Protection Act, information governance and patient
confidentiality
Key Responsibilities
Equality and Diversity
- Promote equality and diversity in a
non-discriminatory culture
- Support people who need assistance in
exercising their rights
- Accept the rights of individuals to choose
their care providers, participate in care and refuse care
- Assist patients from marginalised groups to
access quality care
This Job Description is
not exhaustive and is a guideline to the scope of duties involved. It will be reviewed at regular
intervals. It is not intended as a rigid
inflexible specification and will be subject to the changing requirements of
Central Gateshead Medical Group and the patients we look after.