Health Care Assistant
Job Description
Job summary
To support the clinical 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.
Main duties of the job
The Healthcare Assistant will deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion and patient education while also supporting the administrative team on an as-required basis.
About us
East Croydon Medical Centre is centrally located in the fast developing town of Croydon with its many transport links.
The practice care for 25,000 patients from a diverse population.
We are a large, hardworking General Practice with a multi-disciplinary Team which includes Pharmacists, Practice Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Physician Associates, GPs, along with a supportive and experienced administrative Team. We enjoy and feel positive about modern General Practice but also strive to ensure a healthy home/work balance. We are active members of our Primary Care Network and support the ethos behind this.
Job responsibilities
Duties and 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:
a. Undertake new patient health checks.
b. Support the Practice Nurse with health promotion programmes.
c. Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, and pulse rate, recording findings accurately.
d. Facilitate routine and 24-hour BP monitoring, advising patients accordingly.
e. Undertake wound care, dressings and other clinical tasks as required.
f. Support the Practice Nurse with the management of chronic disease clinics.
g. Carry out BMI checks as directed.
h. Act as a chaperone as required.
i. When trained, undertake venepuncture.
j. When trained, administer flu vaccinations.
k. When trained, carry out ear irrigation under the supervision of the Practice Nurse.
l. Carry out ECGs as requested.
m. Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation.
n. Provide support during minor operations as required.
o. Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session.
p. Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with extant guidance.
q. Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the organisations IPC policy.
r. Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Healthcare Assistant may be requested to:
a. Participate in practice audit as directed by the audit lead.
b. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care.
c. Support and participate in shared learning within the organisation.
d. Complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with the duty rota.
Confidentiality:
In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.
Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data This job description is not exhaustive and may be adjusted periodically after review and consultation. You will also be expected to carry out any reasonable duties which may be requested from time-to-time.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral);
- Strong IT skills;
- Clear, polite telephone manner;
- Effective time management (planning and organising);
- Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with the general public;
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting;
- Experience of working in a primary care environment;
- Knowledge of infection control.
Qualifications
Essential
- Healthcare qualification (level 3 or 4) or working towards gaining equivalent level.
Desirable
- Previous completion of the HCA Care Certificate;
- Phlebotomy certification;
- Vaccination certification.
Other requirements
Essential
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check;
- Occupational Health clearance.
Desirable
- Flexibility to work outside of core office hours.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
East Croydon Medical Centre
Address
59 Addiscombe Road
Croydon
CR0 6SD
