Job summary
The Downland Practice is looking for a Health care Assistant(s) (HCA) to join their current nursing team.
We are looking to cover 32 hours for one candidate or we will consider a job share of the hours between two successful candidates with a minimum of 16 hours available. Days to be worked are Tuesday to Friday.
We are a friendly, supportive, forward thinking practice and would welcome applications from experienced HCAs with transferable skills, who are keen to develop in the primary care environment. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, motivated and enjoys working within a team.
Main duties of the job
The role will include phlebotomy, NHS health checks, wound care management, spirometry and assisting with LARCS and minor operations and the care of patients who attend general practice. We believe in providing excellent clinical care, great team work and supporting each other.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate their ability to cope in a busy and demanding environment.
We support training in skills needed for the role, as well as to further your career progression.
About us
The Downland Practice is a large, rural practice serving over 11,000 patients and covering an area of 135 square miles of the West Berkshire countryside.
We are an established Practice with a GP-led model of care with 7 GP Partners and 3 salaried GPs. Our friendly and experienced Nursing team will support you in your role. In addition we have a Clinical Pharmacist, Social Prescriber and our own Pharmacy on site. All our clinical staff are ably supported by our experienced management team and administrative staff.
Our main Chieveley Surgery is located 5 minutes from the M4/A34 (jnct 13) and just 15 minutes drive from Newbury and Didcot 20 minutes. Both Reading and Swindon are 30 minutes away. We have a branch surgery in the village of Compton.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist in patient care and practice related duties working under the direct supervision of the GPs / Practice Nurses and strictly in accordance with specific Practice guidelines and protocols. The Health Care Assistant will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and procedures.
The Health Care Assistant will be required to support the practice team in providing high quality primary care services to the patients registered with the Practice. You will need to practice in a safe and confident manner, respecting the principles of health, safety, infection control and security at all times.
HCA will be required to attend all appropriate updates and refresher courses within the timeframes specified for the clinical tasks in question. This will take into account any new or amended policies, protocols and procedures relating to any aspect of clinical practice.
Duties & Responsibilities:
May include any or all of the items in the following list. Duties may be varied from time to time, dependant on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels:
- Phlebotomy
- Patient Health Checks
- Blood Pressure checks
- ECG
- Urinalysis
- Spirometry
- Wound care
- Recording Height and Weight
- Minor Surgery – assist GP’s
- LARC – assist GPs/Nurses
- Vaccination programme delivery under PSD (desirable)
- Processing and management of laboratory samples as requested by the GPs.
- Stock ordering as required.
- Preparing and maintaining environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions
- Helping raise awareness of health and well-being and how it can be promoted.
- Maintain accurate records
- Assisting with the collation of data on needs related to health and well-being.
- LTC checks including diabetic foot checks
Person Specification
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Basic IT skills
- Ability to communicate verbally with all levels of personnel within the organisation
- Ability to work with a team and /or independently with minimal supervision
- Courteous and polite
- Calm and level headed under pressure
- Identify potential and actual risks and respond accordingly
Desirable
- Experience of working in a GP Practice
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE Level (or equivalent) in Maths & English
- Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care
- Qualified in Phlebotomy
Desirable
- Qualified to NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working as a HCA
- Qualified in Phlebotomy
Desirable
- 1 years experience of working as a HCA in General Practice
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
Downland Practice
