Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

The Health Care Assistant works under indirect supervision from the Practice Nurses, undertaking appropriately delegated tasks and duties. The role provides support to the practice nursing team to enable them to function effectively. The post holder is expected to contribute to the nursing teams aim of providing high quality, safe and effective nursing care to the practice population.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Practice:

• To perform venepuncture for patients including patients from sixteen years old, using vacutainer system and use the electronic request system (ICE) to record blood sample requests.
• To measure and record on practice approved templates, physiological signs - alerting a registered practitioner in an appropriate timeframe if physiological signs are outside normal parameters.

Blood pressure

Pulse rate and rhythm

Temperature

Oxygen saturations

Height and weight (BMI)

• To maintain the Home BP devices inventory, tracking and service schedule data.
• Undertake 24-hour blood pressure monitoring
• To test urine specimens using appropriate equipment and prepare samples for hospital transportation and analysis if required.
• Undertake ECGs as requested & report to the appropriate GP / ANP.
• To perform simple dressing regimes.
• Removal of clips and sutures.
• Assist GPs with minor surgery clinics / coil fittings.
• Perform ear irrigation.
• To perform registration medicals (New Patient Checks).
• To undertake NHS Health Checks Part 1 (collection of data)
• To perform Flu, Pneumonia and B12 injections (after the first dose has been given by a registered healthcare professional) within the surgery environment. Administration will be under a Patient Specific Direction / prescription.
• To monitor stock and place order for pathology items.
• To ensure that GP rooms are checked weekly and stock replenished and rotated as required, ensuring that internal cupboards are clean and stock is checked re expiry dates. Check sharps bins are appropriately labelled, secured and replaced as appropriate.
• To undertake weekly checks of the emergency equipment
• To perform other tasks as appropriately trained and agreed to meet the needs of the practice.

Communication / Utilising Information Systems:

• Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.
• Communicate in an appropriate timeframe, any concerns about patients health status to a registered clinician.
• Document care and accurately record data using SystmOne.
• Contribute to the work of the practice team in by utilising the data from SystmOne and other information systems to improve care.

Delivering Quality Service:

• Work with the nursing and practice team to assess effectiveness of care delivery, for example through assisting with audits, reviews and evaluation of care.
• Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation.

Team Working:

• Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify how this may develop over time.
• Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.
• Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery. Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care.

Management of Risk:

• The post holder must comply with all PICS policies and procedures which aim to ensure safe practice and minimise risk. This includes:
• Infection control / needlestick Protecting themselves and others against infection risks. All staff regardless of whether clinical or not are expected to comply with current infection control policies and procedures and to report any problems with regard to this to the manager. All staff at the surgery should attend infection control training and updates as required.
• Health and safety / COSHH policy
• Fire policy
• Incident reporting policy

Learning and Development:

• The post holder should only undertake tasks for which he / she is competent.
• Any training / development needs should be discussed with the manager.
• The post holder is expected to undertake all mandatory training, relevant additional training and participate in clinical supervision / reflection on practice.
• The post-holder is required to attend clinical / nurse meetings and participate in an annual appraisal which includes review of this job description.

Equity and Diversity:

• Identify patterns of discrimination, take action to overcome this, and promote diversity and quality of opportunity.
• Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights.
• Adhere to local chaperoning policies.
• Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers, participate in care and refuse care. Assist patients from marginalised groups to access quality care.

Responsibility:

• The post holder must be able to work on their own initiative but also as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have the ability to organise and prioritise their own daily workload. They must observe patient confidentiality at all times and work within their own personal competency.