Healthcare Assistant

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE: The following are the core responsibilities of the Healthcare Assistant. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels: a. Undertake new patient health checks. b.
Undertake patient health checks detailed under specified contract. c. Undertake INR checks. d.
Support the practice nursing team with health promotion programmes. e. Support adult influenzas and COVID clinics for adults and children f. Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, recording findings accurately.
g. Facilitate routine and 24-hour BP monitoring, advising patients accordingly. h. Undertake wound care, dressings and other clinical tasks as required.
i. Support the practice nursing team with the management of chronic disease clinics. j. Carry out BMI checks as directed.
k. Act as a chaperone as required. l. When trained, undertake venepuncture.
m. When trained, administer flu vaccinations n. Carry out ECGs as requested when trained. o.
Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation. p. Provide support during minor operations as required. q.
Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session. r. Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with guidance. s.
Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the practice IPC policy. t. Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate. u.
support cover of our extended access provision In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Healthcare Assistant may be requested to: a. Participate in practice audit as directed by the partners. b. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care.
c. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice. d. Complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with the duty rota.
Training & Personal Development To participate in the annual staff development interview, identifying your own training needs with reference to the practice development plan. With the Practice Manager, appraise any training you have undertaken to ensure the knowledge or experience you have gained is used effectively. Attend any online or off-site training deemed relevant to your role and at the request of the practice manager or partners. Contribute to the induction and training of new staff at the surgery.
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. 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. 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. Working alongside the clinical pharmacist effectively manage own time, workload, and resources. Holding any necessary indemnity relevant to the role.
Communication The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members as part of the MDT. Communicate effectively with patients and carers. Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.