Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PUROSE

To work in a supported learning environment to develop the skills and knowledge required for a Healthcare role in General Practice.

To develop skills to assist medical and nursing staff in the care of practice patients to include treatment, preventive care, screening and patient education. The post will include administrative duties as part of the role.

Working under the indirect supervision of a qualified nurse and strictly in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols, undertake tasks and duties delegated by the General Practitioner or qualified nurse.

To attend the relevant courses and study days required to fulfil the role.

To gain knowledge and skills whilst working alongside an experienced nurse mentor

To provide nursing treatments to patients independently or in participation with nurse colleagues and general practitioners with reference to agreed protocols and guidelines.

To provide general and specific health screenings to the practice patients (within agreed protocols and guidelines) with referral to general practitioners or other health professionals as necessary

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Practice

To provide phlebotomy as required in accordance to training and procedure

To take ear, throat and skin swabs as directed by the practice nurse or GP

To take physiological measurements for patients including blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm, temperature, height and weight (body mass index), visual acuity, urinalysis and ECG in the surgery and or at home (if required)

Undertake new patient health checks, peak flow measurement, spirometry, suture and clip removal (as per practice policy) change simple dressings and carry out other tasks for which you have received appropriate training.

To fit 24 hours BP machine as directed and in accordance with training and procedure

To provide adult immunisations such as Flu Pneumonia Vit B12 in accordance to training and procedure

Assist as per practice policy GPs undertaking minor surgery

Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient interventions

Clearing and restocking of consulting/treatment rooms, including timely order of stock items under your control

Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being by participating in patient health promotion

Give accurate and appropriate information within own competence

Ensure that anomalies are reported to a senior member of the clinical team

Notify the practice nurse or GP of any significant patient issues

Training & Development

Fully participates in training and development

Engages in a programme of ongoing support and feedback to maximise the benefit of the training and development plan.

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice or Alliance (delete as appropriate) policies and procedures relating to confidentiality, and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Health & Safety

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy to include:

Identifying the risk involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks.

Ensuring that all accidents or dangerous accidents are reported and investigated, and follow up action taken where necessary.

Maintain training in line with local policies.

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the quality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues to include:

Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with current legislation.

Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.

Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights.

Quality

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will:

Alert the Executive GP or other team members to issues of quality and risk. - delete as appropriate

Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.

Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhanced the teams performance.

Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs.

Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

Communicate effectively with other team members.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers.

Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

The employer is Sunderland GP Alliance and the post-holder is expected to comply with the Alliances employment policies and procedures.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to maintain clear, concise records
• IT skills Microsoft based

Desirable

• Experience of working as a HCA in a primary care environment
• Working with EMIS

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ 2 in Healthcare or Health associated equivalent qualification
• Literacy and Numeracy Grade C or above
• Relevant qualification in venepuncture

Desirable

• NVQ 3 in Healthcare Care Certificate
• Immunisations certificate
• NHS Health Check Training
• Ear Irrigation Training
• Smoking Cessation Training

Other

Essential

• Disclosure Barring Service Check
• Able to travel reliably, and independently between practices.

Motivation and Skills

Essential

• Effective time management
• Reliable
• Ability to work as part of a team and autonomously
• Ability to follow clinical policies and procedures
• Caring and compassionate approach to patient care
• Ability to work flexibly

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

Sunderland GP Alliance

Address

North East BIC

Wearfield

Sunderland

Tyne and Wear

SR5 2TA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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