Job summary
Thepost holder works under indirect supervision of the senior practice nurse andundertakes task and duties delegated by the senior practice nurse or a suitablyqualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with thegeneral practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy andprocedures while providing supervision to more junior staff.
Key responsibilities
Communication
1. Communicate effectively with other team members
2. Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication
Personal and people development
3. Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, including participating in supervision
4. Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
5. Work with management on any new training requirements
6. To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary health care team
7. Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of an HCA
Health, safety and security
8. Use the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
9. Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks
10. 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:
11. hand washing
12. universal hygiene procedures
13. collection and handling of laboratory specimens
14. segregation and disposal of waste materials
15. decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment
16. reporting and treatment of sharps injuries
17. dealing with blood and body fluid spillages
18. Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures
19. Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain
20. Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility
21. Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate
22. Be aware of statutory child health procedures and statutory local guidance and referral criteria
23. 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
24. Use the computer monitor safely
25. 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
26. Act as a Chaperone for doctors/nurses colleagues as required
Service improvement
27. Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit
28. Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives
29. Maintain the notice board in the waiting room and promote good health with educational material
30. Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets
Quality
31. Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients
32. Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems
33. Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care
34. Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the team
35. Ensure stock items under your control are ordered and available in the treatment and consulting rooms
36. Know how clinical governance affects the HCA role and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation
37. Know the practice's policies, especially the whistle-blowing policy, available in the practice staff handbook
38. Be able to manage your own time effectively
Equality and diversity
39. Act in ways that recognise the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures
40. Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and carers
41. Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour
42. Act as a chaperone
Clinical skills health and well-being
43. Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training:
44. Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory
45. Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations:
46. blood pressure
47. pulse rate and rhythm
48. temperature
49. height and weight - body mass index
50. visual acuity
51. venepuncture
52. ECG
53. glucose tolerance tests
54. peak flow readings
55. Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions
56. Assist regulated professional while patients undergoing minor surgery or IUD/IUCD procedures
57. Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted
58. Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence
59. Undertake simple dressing procedures following local recommendations and using aseptic techniques
60. Where appropriate, provide support and encouragement to self manage their conditions
61. Have a basic understanding of long term conditions including diagnostic interventions, treatments, and the principles of care and self management
62. Plan, develop and implement health promotion activities as appropriate smoking, exercise and diet
63. Assess patients readiness to change and provide motivational support as appropriate in cases of smoking, obesity and healthy living for older people
64. To administer the influenza and pneumococcal vaccine under indirect supervision of a regulated professional
65. To gain the underpinning knowledge and practical skills to administer basic life support if necessary
Information processes
66. Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate
67. Maintain confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and the practice
68. Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information
The above list is notexhaustive and you may be asked to undertake any other duties as may bereasonably requested for the smooth running of the Practice
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
69. Literacy and numeracy skills
70. Basic computer experience
71. Willingness to undertake an NVQ or an equivalent qualification
72. Demonstrates a basic understanding of the needs of the patient and the role of the HCA
73. Willing to develop clinical skills and competency relevant to the role phlebotomy skills
74. Has customer care experience or experience of being a carer
75. Demonstrates motivation, reliability and commitment to team working and the development of others
76. Flexible, reliable and responsive to change
77. Demonstrates an ability to value the opinions of others
78. Willingness to undergo education/ training for both practice and service needs
79. Willingness to work towards professional and performance objectives (appraisal)
80. Manual dexterity and manipulation skills
81. Ability to handle simple medical equipment ECG machine
82. Ability to assist others with the delivery of care assisting in minor surgery
83. Fitness to do the job within manual-handing policy
84. Concentration required daily, Ability to deal with occasional exposure to distressing circumstances or emotional events
85. Ability to cope with occasional exposure to aggressive behaviour
86. Ability to work with competing priorities
87. Ability to deal tactfully and empathetically with distressed or anxious patients and carers
88. Personal physical contact with patients
89. Ability to work with high patient turnover and a pressurised environment on a daily basis
90. Must be able to travel between sites and undertake occasional home visits
91. Able to communicate routine information that requires tact and persuasive skills, or where there may be barriers to understanding
92. Ability to communicate effectively via telephone or group discussion
93. Good interpersonal skills
94. Participate in the care of equipment
95. Undertake stock control
96. Must either be Hepatitis B immune or be willing to undergo an immunisation course
97. Covid vaccination status will need to be checked
Desirable
98. NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
99. Up to date Basic Life Support training
100. EDCL (European Computer Driving Licence)
101. Understands issues regarding accountability and delegation
102. Clinical skills and competency relevant to the role Phlebotomy experience
103. Following appropriate education and training has the ability to undertake the administration of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine
104. Experience working in a general practice or other healthcare environment