Healthcare Assistant

CLINICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

New patient health checks and appropriate referrals to the GP

Taking and uploading ECG for immediate GP review

Venepuncture

BP monitoring as practice protocol

Hypertension and Pre-Diabetes review as practice protocol and referring to GP for medication review

Urinalysis, following practice protocol

Amber Drugs blood monitoring as practice protocol

Weight management: following practice protocol when weight loss medication is required. Referral to appropriate support agencies

Lifestyle advice and referral to appropriate support agencies

Basic Smoking Cessation and referral to appropriate support agencies

NHS Health Checks following appropriate training

Chaperone duties as required

Organising Domiciliary Blood/BP visits under supervision of Nurse Manager

Extended Duties for Senior HCA

• Influenza
• & Pneumococcal Immunisation (on completion of accredited course) with
• Patient Specific Direction supervised by Nurse Manager/Lead Nurse
• B12
• injections on (completion of accredited course) under Patient Specific Direction supervised by Nurse Manager

Simple

Minor Dressings: on completion of theoretical course instructions from nurses

Removal

of basic sutures /staples

Spirometry

on completion of accredited course

Assist

GPs in Minor Surgery or Coil Clinics

24hr BP

monitoring following practice protocol.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

• Assist with patient Recall
• Restocking of Clinical areas and GP rooms
• Ordering Clinical stock as per guidance from Nurse Manager
• Vaccine/cold chain storage, monitoring and recording
• Ordering of Health Promotion materials
• To assist with any administrative duties requested by the Nurse Manager

COMMUNICATION

Ensure all patients and relatives are treated with respect and dignity at all times.

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

Comply with practice requirements for recording information into patients records.

Ensure accurate documentation will all consultations

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural backgrounds and preferred ways of communicating.

Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues

To be aware of the Adult and Safeguarding policy and procedure

Communicate effectively with other members of the MDT

TEAM WORK

Work as an effective and responsible team member

Recognise & understand the roles of individuals working within the team & how these interface with your own

Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the Practice Management Team

DELIVERING OF A QUALITY SERVICE

• Produce accurate and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with 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 guidelines and evidence-based care .
• Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and local guidance

MANAGING INFORMATION

• Process data using accurate read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval and monitoring and audit process.
• Ensure clinical information is documented using practice templates.
• Awareness of data entry a checking of appropriate codes to achieve targets
• Follow Information Governance Guidance

CONFIDENTIALITY

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

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Always support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective if their ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion and age

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

HCA to discuss and develop own learning needs with Nurse Manager and undertake appropriate learning

The HCA must complete all mandatory training within agreed time scale.

To attend clinical supervision with Nurse Manager

To attend training and development courses according to practice requirements and availability of mentorship support and funding available.

To participate in training at in-house TARGET sessions to the nurse team.

To Attend Clinical and Nurse Meetings when available

PHYSICAL EFFORT

• A combination of sitting, standing and walking and frequent physical effort will be required for the role both in clinic and driving for home visits.
• The HCA will be expected to use both hands and arms constantly.
• The HCA will be expected to move equipment to another clinic setting in accordance to health and safety regulations.
• The HCA will be expected to carry equipment from the car to patients homes for home visits in accordance with health and safety regulations.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Always follow the Practice Infection & Control Policy to maintain a safe, clean environment

To Identify risks involved in all work and practice equipment

To maintain updates in all Mandatory Health & Safety Training

MENTAL EFFORT

Requirement to concentrate during short periods for checking patient detailed, clinical records, performing procedures and driving during home visits and between sites.

Requirement to record information in the patients records, machines, sample forms and specimen bottles. These records must be a 100% accurate to avoid errors that may delay patient diagnosis or management.

Ability to perform during busy unpredictable work patterns including home visits.

EMOTIONAL EFFORT

Requirement to work alone during home visits and may be exposed to ill and terminally ill patients.

Situations which may cause distress i.e. staff situations, distressed patients or relatives.

Situations where patients complain and express their feelings about services or previous experiences.

GENERAL

• The HCA must be a car owner with a current UK driving license. (unless agreed by the Senior Partners) Insurance must cover business use and documents (driving license, MOT, Insurance and Tax) must be available on request from line manager.
• The Job description may be subject to variation from time to time and should be viewed as a guide rather than an exact description.
• The practice operates a no smoking policy.
• The HCA will be expected to wear a uniform provided whilst in clinics or home visits and comply with practice uniform policy at all times.
• An identity badge which must be worn at all times.