TeessideTogether is excited to be actively recruiting for Healthcare Assistants (HCAs)to join our dynamic team providing gold standard sexual health care to patientsacross Teesside.
From patientconsultations and providing advice, to supporting other clinicians withprocedures and taking samples, you will play a vital and varied role in theclinical team.
We are lookingfor a dedicated team-player who believes in putting the patient first andworking at all times to improve the health of local people.
Main duties of the job
As an HCA, youto provide support and assistance in delivering services to patients atTeesside Together.
This includesconducting non-invasive clinical tasks, such as taking patient histories,collecting and processing samples, and providing information and advice onsexual health issues.
You will work independently, treating patients within theirbooked treatment slots, guided at all times by our organisations currentstandards, policies and procedures.
There are multiple roles available. Some roles will cover South Tees (Middlesbrough and Redcar) and some will cover North Tees (Stockton and Hartlepool). You may be expected to move between all four sites if the services requires it.
PLEASE NOTE: The contact details for queries are different depending on which area you are interested in.
North Tees
Naomi Crossman:Naomi.crossman@nhs.net
South Tees
About us
TeessideTogether is a sexual health service run by a collaboration of threeorganisations: Elm Alliance, Hartlepool and Stockton Health, and UniversityHospitals Tees.
We are guidedby our core aim: to improve the sexual health, and therefore overall health, ofeveryone living in Teesside.
Relationshipsare key to everything we do, because we believe that by creating a strong,communicative network of local teams, we can ensure that patient care iscentred in the work that we do.
When you joinour team, we want to help you to do your best for our patients, so we offerflexible working, friendly management, and a supportive workplace. Having theright attitude is the start all good care, so if you are positive,enthusiastic, and treat people brilliantly, then this could be the place foryou.
We operate to agold standard in everything we do, because that's what our patients deserve.So, if job satisfaction, for you comes from knowing that you made a difference,we would love to hear from you!
Job responsibilities
In accordance with service requirements, you will:
Clinical
* Support patients attending the service without symptoms to understand their STI screening options and make informed decisions.
* Perform necessary tests, as related to STI screening, including phlebotomy and urinalysis.
* Support patients with regards to self-testing for STIs, including giving instructions on swab use and sample storage.
* Assist with the correct collection and recording of specimens.
* Ensure all specimens are logged correctly and available for collection by the pathology supplier.
* Perform pregnancy testing and urinalysis.
* Assist other clinicians as necessary, including recording patients' blood pressure, height, weight, and BMI.
* Assist with procedures, e.g. insertion of contraceptive implants and coil fittings. This includes organising equipment both pre- and post-procedure.
* Assist with chlamydia screening, both on site and in outreach settings, as appropriate.
* Assist with clinics in outreach settings, where appropriate.
* Review and record patients under 18 who did not attend the service and inform the Nurse Lead for further management.
* Offer proactive chaperone skills to support patients and colleagues.
* Understand the key role that patient education and knowledge plays in sexual health topics, including contraception, STI prevention, and other sexual health risks
* Offer advice and education to patients regarding safe sex practices, including contraception and STI prevention, and signpost to further help where appropriate.
* Perform condom demonstrations, where appropriate.
* Provide advice, guidance, consultation and teaching as required on matters relating to psychosexual counselling/ therapy to the multidisciplinary team.
Stock and Site Administration
* Ensure all clinical areas are fully equipped and fit for purpose, including cleaning clinical areas as per Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) policy.
* Monitor IPC through completion of audit templates on a daily basis and report any issues to Nurse Lead / Administration Manager.
* Record the following temperatures, completing the appropriate checklist and informing the Nurse Lead / Administration Manager of any discrepancies:
* Fridges (maximum and minimum recordings)
* Incubators
* Stock rooms
* Maintain an awareness of appropriate stock levels and report any low stock to the Nurse Lead / Administration Manager for ordering.
* Replenish stock in all areas of the site, including instruments, screening tools, paperwork and information.
* Ensure condoms are available for distribution in all clinical and reception areas and log all expiry dates and batch numbers.
* Ensure all drugs and other stock delivered to the site are recorded and stored appropriately in secure storage without delay.
* Ensure all drugs are stored appropriately, including those requiring cold chain storage.
* Ensure rotation of drugs to ensure expiry dates are identifiable and used in order of expiry.
* Ensure drug sheets are available and archive old records.
* Complete a weekly drug check and report any discrepancies to the Nurse Lead.
* Ensure the emergency trolley and its equipment are fit for purpose and ready for use, completing the appropriate checklist and reporting any discrepancies to the Nurse Lead / Administration Manager.
* Ensure appropriate disposal of waste, including sharps and clinical waste, as per protocol.
Professional Development
* Keep up to date with all mandatory training to ensure compliance and competence.
* Attend training courses in house, online, and externally, to develop expertise and further knowledge.
* Take responsibility for updating, documenting and maintaining your own knowledge and skills framework, and sharing professional development with Teesside Together.
* Express needs or desire for further training and work within own remit at all times.
* Participate in appraisals, performance reviews and professional development plans on an ongoing basis with Teesside Together when required.
* Engage in clinical supervision.
Equality & Diversity
* Ensure all patient groups accessing the service receive a safe, welcoming, non-judgemental, and confidential service.
* Support our culture, which promotes equality and values diversity.
* Be aware of, and committed to, our equality and diversity policies, and actively promote equality and diversity issues relevant to the post.
* Through your own actions and the example you provide to others, uphold the principle that all co-workers, patients, and visitors have the right to be treated equally and with respect.
* Ensure that individuals are given equal access to care and services.
Confidentiality
In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, you may have access to confidential information relating to patients and clients, their carers, and staff from a number of organisations. You may also have access to business information. All such information, from any source, is to be regarded as strictly confidential.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of all staff members, regardless of role. H&SH is committed to the prevention of abuse in all its forms and asks all our staff to be vigilant and compassionate when in contact with others. To this end, you will:
* Work within the safeguarding framework, including understanding Spotting the Signs and Fraser Competencies, reporting any concerns as per local standard operating procedure.
* Be aware of the risk of child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation, sharing any concerns with the clinician on duty
* Assess all patients for concerns regarding domestic abuse, signposting and/or reporting as appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Current, full UK driving license and daily access to a car with business insurance
* NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care
* Care Certificate
Skills
* Effective communication skills, especially when talking to patients, relatives, and carers
* Ability to provide individualised care with empathy
* Ability to plan and prioritise your own workload
Experience
* Recent experience of working in a patient or customer facing setting
* Previous experience working in a sexual health service
Knowledge
* Awareness of equality and diversity concerns / measures, particularly in healthcare
* Awareness of the importance of confidentiality, privacy, and dignity
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Full-time,Part-time,Job share,Flexible working
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