The purpose of the Healthcare Assistant is to actively support the work of the service and its staff in delivering quality healthcare and expert dermatology advice and treatment.
The role will involve preparing clinics and equipment for use, ensuring all equipment is in working correctly. You'll be required to assist patients prior to, during and after their appointments and support the RGN/Doctor with clinical care duties, including minor surgery.
The role is full time and will require travel across our clinics in North Kent. Current locations:
Fleet – Gravesend
Rainham Kent
Rochester Kent
Borough Green Kent
About the Service
Sussex Community Dermatology Service (SCDS) is a busy community dermatology service stretching across Coastal West Sussex, Surrey, Horsham, Mid Sussex and West Kent. The clinical team consists of Consultant Dermatologists, GPwSIs as well as registered trained nurses and health care assistants. The service aims to 'see and treat' patients during their initial appointment in order to avoid the patient having numerous follow-up appointments. The clinical services available to the patients within our service include day surgery, minor operations, patch testing, photodynamic therapy, skin prick tests and phototherapy.
Qualifications and Skills
A knowledge of dermatology and skin surgery would be highly advantageous, although full training will be given.
Knowledge to initiate emergency treatment where necessary, with due regard to risk management policies and procedures, and participate in maintaining a safe environment for patients, relatives and staff which includes assessing patients within their environment
Caring and approachable nature
Excellent communication and listening skills
Ability to work proactively within a team as well as independently, with a respectful approach to colleagues
Experience of working in a care environment (preferably clinical)
NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (highly desirable)
Full, clean driving licence and own transport are essential as you will be required to drive to our various clinic locations.
Working hours are 8am - 6pm (with 30 minute unpaid break), 4 days per week. Working days will be on a rota between Monday – Saturday
Confidentiality / Data Protection
Post holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 1998. Post holders must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. If any member of staff has communicated any such information to an unauthorised person those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 1998 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.
Information Governance
All staff must comply with information governance requirements. These includes statutory responsibilities (such as compliance with the Data Protection Act), following national guidance (such as the NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice) and compliance with Sussex Community Dermatology Service policy and procedures. All staff are responsible for any personal information (belonging to staff or patients) that they access and must ensure it is stored, processed and forwarded in a secure and appropriate manner.
Health and Safety
All post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the SCDS's health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
This job description is intended to reflect, in outline, the responsibilities of the post holder, which may change over time with corporate or local business needs of The Organisation. It will therefore be subject to periodic review.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From £13.00 per hour
Expected hours: No more than 37.5 per week
Licence/Certification:
* Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person