Healthcare Assistant - General Practice

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

To support the practice nursing team in the delivery of nursing services, working as part of the practice multidisciplinary team, delivering care within their scope of practice to the entitled patient population. The healthcare assistant will deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion and patient education.

KEY DUTIES AND 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. Training in specific areas may be necessary. Personal development and education will be encouraged.

Primary Responsibilities

• Undertake patient health checks
• Undertake urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratories.
• Support the practice nurse with health promotion programmes
• Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, 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 and B12 injections
• Carry out ECGs and dermoscopy 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
• Daily recording of fridge temperatures
• Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with extant guidance
• Maintain stock levels of ALL vaccines as per national vaccination programme
• Keep an up-to-date log of all vaccines to include quantity/batch number/expirydate as per Cold Chain Policy
• Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the practice IPC policy
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Secondary Responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the healthcare assistant 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

*Full Job description attached to this advert*

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Effective time management (planning & organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure

Desirable

• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• EMIS

Clinical Knowledge & Skills

Desirable

• Wound Care / Removal of sutures & staples
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• New patient medicals inc. Height, weight, BP, Pulse
• Chaperone procedure
• Spirometry
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes

Qualifications

Essential

• Healthcare qualification (level 3 or 4) or working towards gaining equivalent level

Desirable

• Phlebotomy certification

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Effectively utilises resources
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort

Other Requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health Clearance

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a primary care environment

Desirable

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Taurus Healthcare Limited

Address

Taurus Healthcare Ltd

Whitecross Road

Hereford

HR4 0DG

Employer's website

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