As a Health Care Assistant (HCA) in Primary Care, you play a crucial role in supporting the health care team to deliver comprehensive and patient-centeredcare within a primary care setting.
health care assistant
This dynamic and rewarding position requires a compassionate individual with strong communication skills, empathy, and a genuine commitment to improving the health and well-being of patients.
The health care assistant will work under indirect supervision of the lead nurse and undertake duties delegated by the lead nurse or suitably qualified health care professional.
The health care assistant will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, in line with to the practice policies and procedures.
The health care assistant candidate will be responsible to the Lead Practice Nurse, Operations Manager and the GP Partners.
Health Care Assistant Main duties
The health care assistant key responsibilities will include:
Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as directed by senior nursing staff and GPs
The health care assistant will maintain and clean equipment used by the nurses and GPs according to the practice Infection Control Policy
Chaperoning and, where appropriate, assisting patients who are being examined by a clinician
Recording heights, weights, blood pressure and other measurements of patients as required
Obtaining specimens e.g. urine, testing, as instructed and completing appropriate laboratory forms
Process samples, ensuring the samples are labelled and forms are prepared for transporting to the appropriate laboratory
Carry out ECGs
The health care assistant will conduct patient registration medicals
Assist with minor procedures and treatments under the supervision of registered healthcare professionals.
The health care assistant will perform wound care and dressings
The health care assistant will answer telephone in treatment rooms; take, record and transmit messages
Undertake housekeeping duties, including general tidiness and cleanliness of treatment and GP rooms.
Maintain accurate records on clinical systems, ensuring the senior nurse on duty is advised of any potential problems or errors within the range of assigned task
Duties above are not exhausted and a full brief is available to the successfull candidate
About us
Our purpose is to deliver the best possible care for all the people who visit our practices, either as patients, the public or as staff.
As one of the largest and busiest surgeries in Wellingborough, our visionis to move from where we are now to where we want to be, the journey from good to great.
We offer a range of services, and have experienced health care professionals, general practitioners, nurses, trainees and administrative staff. The staff are dedicated to ensuring that patients receive professional and compassionate care.
In undertaking this role you are expected at all times to behave in accordance with our practice values which demonstrate your commitment to the delivery of high quality services to patients. This will be in accordance with agreed objectives, quality standards, and resource constraints.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Essential
Desirable
Academic/Vocational Qualifications
Good General Education
Qualified in Phlebotomy
Qualified to NVQ level 3
Experience
Experience within a health care setting
Experience in GP Practice
Knowledge/Skills
Ability to provide quality care
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Good organisational skills
Good team working skills
Effective time management skills
Ability to work independently following verbal or written instructions
Adaptable to change
Computer literate
Basic IT Skills
Able to use System one.
Skills in Phlebotomy, ECGs, Patient Health Checks, Blood Pressures
Basic first aid knowledge
Health and safety awareness
Awareness of Blood Borne Viruses
Experience in wound care, including leg ulcer management, and compression bandaging.
Experience in minor surgery.
Qualities/Attributes
An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
Able to work on own initiative
Able to work under pressure and remain calm
Flexible and adaptable
Aware of own limitations
Keen to develop
Special requirements of post
Provide cover for absence of other HCA when required
Job Description Healthcare Assistant
Purpose: To assist the GPs and practice nurse team in the service and delivery of the care management of the practice population Responsible to: Senior practice nurses, practice manager and, ultimately, the GP Partners.
Job summary
The post holder works under indirect supervision of the practice nurse team leader and undertakes task and duties delegated by the practice nurse team leader or a suitably qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and procedures.
Key responsibilities
Communication
Communicate effectively with other team members
Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication
Personal and people development
Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, including participating in supervision
Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
Work with management on any new training requirements
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 a basic HCA
Health, safety and security
Use the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks
Use appropriate infection control procedures and maintain work areas in each clinical room so that they are clean, safe and free from hazards reporting of any potential risks identified, including:
hand washing
universal hygiene procedures
collection and handling of laboratory specimens
segregation and disposal of waste materials
decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment
reporting and treatment of sharps injuries
dealing with blood and body fluid spillages
Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures
Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain
Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility
Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate
Be aware of statutory child health procedures and statutory local guidance and referral criteria
Know the health and safety policies and procedures within the workplace, including fire procedures, maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintaining of equipment and furniture within your area of responsibility
Use the computer monitor safely
Be able to identify the risks to health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the working environment according to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Service improvement
Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit
Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives
Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets
Quality
Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients
Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems
Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care
Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the team
Ensure stock items under your control are ordered and available in the treatment and consulting rooms
Know how clinical governance affects the HCA role and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation
Know the practice’s policies, especially the whistle-blowing policy, available in the practice staff handbook
Be able to manage your own time effectively
Equality and diversity
Act in ways that recognise the importance of people’s rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures
Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and carers
Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour
Act as a chaperone
Clinical skills health and well-being
Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training:
Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratories
Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations, and for pre medical checks:
Blood Pressure
Pulse Rate And Rhythm
Temperature
Height And Weight – Body Mass Index
ECG
New patient checks
Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions
Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted
Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence
Information processes
Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate
Maintain confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and the practice
Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
EssentialDesirable
Academic/Vocational QualificationsGood General Education
Qualified in Phlebotomy
Qualified to NVQ level 3
ExperienceExperience within a health care settingExperience in GP Practice
Knowledge/SkillsAbility to provide quality care
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Good organisational skills
Good team working skills
Effective time management skills
Ability to work independently following verbal or written instructions
Adaptable to change
Computer literateBasic IT Skills
Able to use System one.
Skills in Phlebotomy, ECGs, Patient Health Checks, Blood Pressures
Basic first aid knowledge
Health and safety awareness
Awareness of Blood Borne Viruses
Experience in wound care, including leg ulcer management, and compression bandaging.
Experience in minor surgery.
Qualities/AttributesAn understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
Able to work on own initiative
Able to work under pressure and remain calm
Flexible and adaptable
Aware of own limitations
Keen to develop
Special requirements of postProvide cover for absence of other HCA when required
Desirable
EssentialDesirable
Academic/Vocational QualificationsGood General Education
Qualified in Phlebotomy
Qualified to NVQ level 3
ExperienceExperience within a health care settingExperience in GP Practice
Knowledge/SkillsAbility to provide quality care
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Good organisational skills
Good team working skills
Effective time management skills
Ability to work independently following verbal or written instructions
Adaptable to change
Computer literateBasic IT Skills
Able to use System one.
Skills in Phlebotomy, ECGs, Patient Health Checks, Blood Pressures
Basic first aid knowledge
Health and safety awareness
Awareness of Blood Borne Viruses
Experience in wound care, including leg ulcer management, and compression bandaging.
Experience in minor surgery.
Qualities/AttributesAn understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
Able to work on own initiative
Able to work under pressure and remain calm
Flexible and adaptable
Aware of own limitations
Keen to develop
Special requirements of postProvide cover for absence of other HCA when required
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.
