Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and caring Health Care Assistant to join our friendly GP Practice. The HCA will deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion and patient education and support the Practice Nursing team in the delivery of nursing services. Phlebotomy skills and experience working in general practice are desirable and preferred. A team player with good clinical skills and an interest in further training and personal development are vital. The ability to work autonomously within a busy team environment is essential. Salary is negotiable, depending on experience.
Informal visits are welcome before applying, and we are happy to show prospective applicants around the Practice. Should you wish to discuss the role further we can arrange for our Lead Nurse to speak with you.
The closing date is 23:59 on Sunday 20 October, with interviews to be scheduled during the week beginning Monday 28 October. Please note that interviews may be arranged at any time, and should a suitable candidate be found we reserve the right to close this advertisement early.
Main duties of the job
Role/Job Summary
- To provide treatment room services to patients of the practice, within the training and professional competence of the post holder
- To support Doctors and the Nursing/HCA team in providing an effective level of care to the practice patient population
- To undertake tasks and duties as delegated by the Lead Practice Nurse or other suitably qualified regulated professional
- To ensure your actions are professional and consistent with practice policies and protocols
- To conduct audits and patient screening in pursuance of the objectives of the Quality & Outcomes Framework (QOF).
About us
Didcot Health Centre is a well-established training practice of 19,500 patients. We operate from spacious, purpose-built premises on a single site close to the centre of town and just a few minutes’ walk from Didcot Parkway station. We have a wide clinical team of six GP partners and six salaried GPs, plus Specialist and Practice Nurses, Advanced Paramedic Practitioners, and HCAs, all well-supported by a large team of committed administrative staff. In addition, we work closely with our Didcot PCN neighbouring practices with whom we share a range of clinical staff. Community health teams also hold regular on-site clinics here.
Job description
Job responsibilities
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Clinical Care to provide:
- Phlebotomy (Essential)
- ECG recording
- Performing routine and opportunistic BP checks, height, weight, BMI & urinalysis
- New patient and NHS health checks
- Chaperoning duties
- Assist in raising awareness of health & well being giving accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within your area of competence.
With additional training:
- Arranging loans of digital BP machines to patients
- Aseptic wound care, including leg ulcers
- Doppler assessment
- Assist with Minor Surgery/IUCD/Implants
- Support practice nurses in providing services for patients with Chronic Disease in line with practice and national protocol/policies
- Refer as appropriate to GP or Practice Nurse
- Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions
- Maintain adequate stock levels in the Practice Nurse treatment rooms and GP clinical rooms as/when necessary.
Health, Safety/Security and Infection Control:
- The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all the duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, statutory regulations and practice policies/procedures. The post-holder must:
- Be aware of and apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines
- Adhere to universal hand hygiene procedures
- Use correct methods for handling specimens to be sent to the laboratory
- Use correct methods / protocols for reporting and treating sharps injuries
- Manage blood and body fluid spillages appropriately
- Understand and apply principles of the cold chain
- Ensure safe storage, rotation of vaccines within area of responsibility
- Be aware of child and adult safeguarding protection
- Be familiar with Health & Safety policies and procedures within the work place, including fire procedures, maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintaining equipment within your area of responsibility.
Vaccination/ Immunisation and B12 Injections (training will be provided)
- Provide adult influenza and pneumococcal immunisations in line with specific protocol and Patient Group Direction.
- Provide Vitamin B12 injections in line with specific protocol for Health Care Assistants
- Competent and up to date with anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques and procedures.
Administration
- Organise and prioritise own workload
- Maintain accurate patient records of consultations and computer data entry
- Maintain patient confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives and practice staff.
Education/Personal Development
- Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development learning and performance, including participating in supervision and in line with the requirements of practice needs.
- To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary health care team
- Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of the Health Care Assistant (Scale 2 -3)
- Work within the policies and guidelines set out in the practice and for the Quality & Outcomes Framework of patient care.
Equality and Diversity
- Behave in a manner that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting then in a way that is consistent with procedures
- Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
- Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour.
Note:
This job description is not exhaustive or definitive and should be regarded only as a guideline to the duties required. The role may be expanded/amended in light of practice demands and changing circumstances following full consultation with the post holder.
The post holder will be expected to undertake further CPD training and updates as required and appropriate for the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Able to demonstrate good levels of literacy, numeracy, verbal and written skills
- Good interpersonal and communication skills.
Desirable
- Qualified/skilled in Phlebotomy
- Previous HCA experience.
Experience
Essential
- Successful teamworking experience
- A positive, caring attitude to patients and colleagues.
Desirable
- Experience of working within a nursing team
- Experience of working in primary care
- Experience of working in a GP 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
Didcot Health Centre
