Healthcare Assistant (HCA)Job description and person specification
Job title
Healthcare Assistant
Line manager
Lead Nurse
Accountable to
Lead Nurse/Partners
Hours per week
Full time
Job summary
To support the practice nursing and administrative teams in the delivery of clinical and administrative services, working as part of the practice multi-disciplinary team, delivering care within their scope of practice to the entitled patient population.
The Healthcare Assistant will deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion and patient education whilst also supporting the administrative team on an as-required basis.
Experience of working in a GP Practice is Essential
Primary responsibilities
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:
- Undertake new patient health checks
- Support the practice nurse with health promotion programmes
- Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximitery, blood pressure, temperature and pulse rate, recording findings accurately
- Facilitate routine and 24-hour BP monitoring, advising patients accordingly
- Undertake wound care, dressings and other clinical tasks as required
- Support the practice nurse with the management of chronic disease clinics
- Carry out BMI checks as directed
- Act as a chaperone as required
- When trained, undertake venepuncture
- When trained, administer flu vaccinations
- When trained, carry out ear irrigation under the supervision of the practice nurse
- Carry out ECGs as requested
- Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation
- Provide support during minor operations as required
- Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session
- Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with extant guidance
- Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the organisation’s IPC policy
- Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate
Secondary responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Healthcare Assistant may be requested to:
- Participate in practice audit as directed by the audit lead
- Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care
- Support and participate in shared learning within the organisation
- Complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with the duty rota
Person specification – Healthcare Assistant
Qualifications
Essential
Healthcare qualification (level 3 or 4) or working towards gaining equivalent level
Phlebotomy certification
Desirable
Previous completion of the HCA Care Certificate (as per GP Mythbuster No 57 - HCAs in General Practice
Vaccination certification
Experience
Essential
Experience of working with the general public
Experience of working in a healthcare setting
Experience of working in a GP practice
Clinical knowledge and skills
Essential
ECGs
Venepuncture
New patient medicals, including height, weight, BP, pulse
Chaperone procedure
Ability to record accurate clinical notes
Desirable
Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
Skills
Essential
Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
Strong IT skills
Clear, polite telephone manner
Effective time management (planning and organising)
Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
Desirable
Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
EMIS user skills
Personal qualities
Essential
Polite and confident
Flexible and cooperative
Motivated
Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
High levels of integrity and loyalty
Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations
Able to communicate effectively and understand the needs of the patient
Commitment to ongoing professional development
Effectively utilise resources
Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
Other requirements
Desirable
Flexibility to work outside core office hours
Essential
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
Occupational Health clearance
Notes:
The job description and person specification may be amended following consultation with the post holder to facilitate the development of the role, the organisation and the individual.
All personnel should be prepared to accept additional, or surrender existing duties, to enable the efficient running of the organisation.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Uckfield, East Sussex: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- working within a doctor's surgery as a healthcare assistant: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
