Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Skills

Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training and after assessment by trainer has been completed including venepuncture

Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions

Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted

Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence

Information Processes

Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate

Maintain confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff or the practice

Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information, adhering to the practices information governance policy

Quality and Outcomes Framework and Enhanced Services

To fully participate in the practices achievement in the Quality and Outcomes Framework, utilising relevant EMIS prompts in all consultations

To assist in the provision of enhanced services .

Communication

Communicate effectively with other team members

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication

Health, Safety and Security

Use the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines

Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks

Use appropriate infection control procedures and maintain work areas in each clinical room so that they are clean, safe and free from hazards, reporting any potential risks identified, including:

1. Hand washing

2. Universal hygiene procedures

3. Collection and handling of laboratory specimens

4. Segregation and disposal of waste materials

5. Use of single-use instruments for all procedures

6. Reporting and treatment of sharps injuries in accordance with the Practice Needlestick injury policy

7. Dealing with blood and body fluid spillages

8. Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures

Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain

Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility

Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate

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

Use the computer monitor safely

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

Service Improvement

Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit

Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives

Attend HCA meetings and practice meetings as requested

Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets

Quality

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients

Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems

Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care

Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the team

Ensure stock items under your control are ordered and available in the treatment and consulting rooms

Know how clinical governance affects the HCA/Phlebotomists role and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation

Know the practices policies available in the Staff Handbook

Be able to manage your own time effectively

Personal and People Development

Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, including participating in supervision

Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development

Participate in practice appraisal scheme

Work with management on any new training requirements

Attend in-house training sessions and any external sessions as required by the practice

To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary health care team

Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of an HCA/Phlebotomist

Equality and Diversity

Act in ways that recognise the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures

Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and carers

Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour

Act as a chaperone

General

To undertake stock control and ordering of Treatment Room supplies and equipment, as required

To undertake weekly check of clinical waste and empty/ change bins as required.

To be flexible to provide illness/annual leave cover for other members of the nursing team

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as part of a team
• Experience in phlebotomy

Desirable

• Experience working in Primary Care
• Experience using EMIS Web

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to GCSE level
• Qualified in phlebotomy
• Willing to develop clinical skills and competency relevant to the role
• Demonstrates self awareness, ie strengths and weaknesses, personal qualities and skills.
• Able to communicate routine information that requires tact and persuasive skills, or where there may be barriers to understanding.
• Able to organise own time and workload, and cope with occasional last-minute changes.
• Willingness to undergo education / training for both practice and service needs.
• Willingness to work towards professional and performance objectives (appraisal).
• Demonstrates motivation, reliability and commitment to team working and the development of others.
• Flexibility, commitment and adaptability.
• Demonstrates an ability to value the opinion of others.
• Ability to work within manual-handling policy.
• Ability to handle simple medical equipment and undertake phlebotomy (dexterity and manipulation skills).
• Frequent requirement for light physical effort for short periods.
• Must be either Hepatitis B, DTP, MMR Varicella immune, or be willing to undergo an immunisation course.
• Must be able to clear clinical waste from rooms following guidance and to store waste appropriately.
• Must be able to collect patients from waiting area and escort them to their clinical rooms.
• Must be able to assist patients in case of evacuation of building.

Desirable

• Qualified to NVQ level 3
• Qualified with HCA Care Certificate

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.

Employer details

Employer name

The Mission Practice

Address

208 Cambridge Heath Road

London

E2 9LS

Employer's website

https://www.themissionpractice.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)