Healthcare Assistant

Job responsibilities

A. Main Responsibilities

Undertake new patient health checks

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, administer flu vaccinations via a PGD

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 and monitored routinely in accordance with guidance

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

Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

B. Secondary Responsibilities

When trained, undertake venepuncture

Carry out ECGs as requested

Participate in practice audit as directed by the adult lead

Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care

Support and participate in shared learning within the practice

This list is not exhaustive and additional responsibilities may be added with the appropriate training and support

C. Communication

Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

With support from the lead nurse, communicate with and support patients who are receiving bad news.

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

Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication.

Maintain effective communication within the practice environment, SPC central team and with external stakeholders.

Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues.

Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance (eg PALS) and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate.

D. Delivering a quality service

Recognise and work within own competence and raise concerns with lead nurse.

Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.

Deliver care as an individual and team according to NSF, NICE guidelines and evidence-based care.

Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation.

Initiate and participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities.

Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required.

Evaluate patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care.

Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation.

Understand and apply legal issues that support the identification of vulnerable children and adults, and work to the statutory safeguarding procedures and local guidance.

E. Team Working

Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time.

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.

Contribute nursing team view to practice management

Create clear referral mechanisms to meet patient need.

Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team.

Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery.

Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care.

Manage and lead on the delivery of specifically identified services or projects as agreed with the practice management team.

Agree plans and outcomes by which to measure success.

Participate in research programs and audit as directed by the management team.

F. Management of Risk

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.

Support the implementation of infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines

G. Management of Information

Use technology and appropriate software as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring of care, presenting and communicating information.

Review and process data using accurate Read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and audit processes.

Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases.

Understand responsibility of self and others to the practice regarding requirements such as the Freedom and Information Act and confidentiality.

Collate, analyse and present clinical data and information as required.

H. Learning and Development

With support of lead nurse assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate.

Actively engage in supervision and appraisal process to support development and learning

Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning.

I. Equality and Diversity

Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity.

Enable others to promote equality and diversity in a non-discriminatory culture.

Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights.

Monitor and evaluate adherence to local chaperoning policies.

Act as a role model in the observance of equality and diversity good practice.

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.

Undertake any training required in order to meet the needs of the practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• Healthcare qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Phlebotomy certification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills
• 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

• Trained in administration of Flu Vaccinations
• Competent in the use of patient record management systems: SystmOne
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• Competent in Document Management systems
• Competent in other portals: Open Exeter, Coordinate my Care

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as a healthcare assistant or relevant role
• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting

Desirable

• Experience of working in Primary Care in a relevant role

Personal Skills

Essential

• Polite and confident
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated
• 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