Health Care Assistant

Job purpose

Working under the supervision of the nursing team and strictly in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols and within the scope of their practice, the HCA will assist the practice clinical team in the provision and delivery of prescribed programmes of patient care including preventative care, health promotion and patient education

Job responsibilities

Undertake venepuncture ensuring all samples are correctly labelled and sent to the laboratory according to current timeframes Undertake ECGs ensuring the results are shown to the duty doctor before the patient leaves the premises Assist with the practices NHS health checks programme checks undertaken in line with the requirements of the LES Administer some adult vaccinations in line with the practices protocols ensuring PSDs are completed if appropriate Support the practices adult influenza and Covid campaigns Carry out baseline observations such as height, weight, BMI, pulse oximetry, blood pressures, temperatures, pulse rates and record findings accurately on the clinical system Undertake diabetic foot checks in line with agreed protocols Undertake basic would care and simple dressings as triaged by the nursing team Undertake ear irrigation under the direction of a practice nurse Provide support during minor surgery and family planning clinics as directed by the lead GP Undertake teledermatology clinics taking photographs of skin lesions when requested by the GP team Act as a chaperone when required Process laboratory samples and ensure the practices UTI protocol is followed Undertake weekly cleaning and re-stocking of consulting rooms in line with the practices infection control policy and ensuring the appropriate paperwork is completed Support and participate in shared learning within the practice including attendance at regular nurse meetings, clinical meetings and staff training afternoons Attending training as required to ensure your skills are maintained Complete the care certificate course if not already undertaken Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate to include smoking cessation To undertake any additional duties as directed by the nursing team and within the scope of their practice

Confidentiality

While 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 Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data

Health & Safety

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards Reporting potential risks identified

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: 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 Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional Development

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work. Complete on-line training provided by the practice on all appropriate topics

Quality

The post-holder 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 suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with colleagues and other practice team members Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Contribution to the

Implementation of Services

The post-holder will

Apply practice policies, standards and guidance Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work Participate in audits where appropriate