Health Care AssistantinDriffieldinDriffieldPUBLISHED WED 20 NOV 2024

The HCA works under indirect supervision of the Practice Nurse Team Manager and undertakes task and duties delegated by the Practice Nurse Team Manager or a suitably qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following practice policy and procedures.

Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory

Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations: blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm, temperature, height and weight (BMI)

Venepuncture

ECG

Health Checks

Phlebotomy

Chaperoning duties

Wound care including wound checks, change of dressings, staple / suture removals

Diabetic foot checks

Immunisations / injections

Processing and management of laboratory samples requested or taken by GPs.

Preparing and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions including assisting GPs during the performance of minor operations

Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients health and well-being

Helping to raise awareness of health and well-being and how it can be promoted

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

Undertaking specific clinical activities for named patients that have been delegated and taught specifically in relation to that individual

Undertaking any other clinical activity that has been delegated and taught

See PDF file for full job description

About us

Job Title Health Care Assistant (HCA)

Reports to Nursing Team Manager

Hours of Work 27 hours minimum

Salary Dependent on experience

Essential Qualifications Level 3 Diploma in Health Care Support (or equivalent)

Job Description

The HCA works under indirect supervision of the Practice Nurse Team Manager and undertakes task and duties delegated by the Practice Nurse Team Manager or a suitably qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following practice policy and procedures.

JOB SUMMARY

Clinical nursing practice

Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory

Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations: blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm, temperature, height and weight (BMI)

• Venepuncture
• ECG

• Health Checks
• Phlebotomy
• Chaperoning duties
• Wound care including wound checks, change of dressings, staple / suture removals
• Diabetic foot checks
• Immunisations / injections
• Processing and management of laboratory samples requested or taken by GPs.
• Preparing and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions including assisting GPs during the performance of minor operations
• Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients health and well-being
• Helping to raise awareness of health and well-being and how it can be promoted

• 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
• Undertaking specific clinical activities for named patients that have been delegated and taught specifically in relation to that individual
• Undertaking any other clinical activity that has been delegated and taught

Supporting the clinical team

The healthcare assistant also provides support for other members of the primary healthcare team and contributes towards the coordination of the team activities.

Tasks include:

• Vaccine/cold chain storage, monitoring and recording
• Surgical equipment and vaccine re-stocking and stock rotation
• Clearing and re-Stocking consulting rooms
• Assist nursing team in the stock control and ordering necessary medical supplies
• Ordering and maintain the health promotion and information materials available in the practice and on display in the waiting rooms, ensuring such displays are tidy and contemporary.
• Maintaining and order stock
• Any other task that has been delegated by management

CONFIDENTIALITY

Individuals are expected to keep confidential, information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers. The business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and standard operating procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined by the Practice Health & Safety Policy.
• Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards

Reporting potential risks identified

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
• 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

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies and current legislation.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

To participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

• Participation of annual review of own performance
• Continued professional development

QUALITY

Will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making any suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet practice needs
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources

COMMUNICATION

• Ensure interdepartmental co-operation and management to ensure smooth running of the practice
• Communicate effectively with other team members
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers
• Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take into account development within the organisation. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the organisation.

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.