Healthcare Assistant (HCA)NHS

Job summary

We currently have a vacancy for an additional experienced and caring HCA to join our small, friendly nursing team.

The position is for 9 hours a week to be worked over three mornings a week (9am to 12pm).

Main duties of the job

The key tasks you will be required to undertake are

• NHS Health Checks
• Phlebotomy
• Urinalysis
• Recording blood pressure where appropriate
• Supporting administrative processes

Ideally, you will have experience of working in a primary care setting and have completed the Care Certificate. We are an EMIS practice with approx. 11,000 patients based in Chesham with ample on-site parking. We have an excellent reputation locally for providing a high quality, efficient service to our patients.

You will need to be able take patient blood samples professionally and efficiently, ensuring that the patient experiences minimal discomfort and will follow strict practice protocols ensuring correct procedures are followed to ensure consent is obtained, samples are taken safely using aseptic techniques and are labelled and dealt with correctly.

We are looking for someone who is friendly and approachable with an excellent patient facing manner. You will also need to be a professional and flexible team player.

Job description

Job SummaryThe HCA supports the practice nursing and administrative teams in the delivery of clinical and administrative services. This role involves working as part of the practice multi-disciplinary team, delivering care within their scope of practice to the entitled patient population.

Having completed the Care Certificate or equivalent qualification, the HCA will deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion, long-term condition management and patient education while also supporting the administrative team on an as-required basis.

The key roles of this job will include:

• Performing NHS Health Checks
• Undertaking phlebotomy
• Urinanalysis
• Recording blood pressure where appropriate
• Supporting administrative processes
• Providing Health promotion

With further support, the job may also include:

• Performing basic wound care / dressing changes
• Supporting seasonal vaccinations where appropriate
• Performing ECGs

In addition, the post holder will also support the multi-disciplinary team, providing administrative support as required, in line with the needs of the practice.

Key ResponsibilitiesThe following are the core responsibilities of the HCA. 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. Consult with patients and their families to undertake assessments of patient need

b. Deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion, long-term condition management and patient education

c. Be an integral part of the general practice team

d. Provide clinical support to registered nurses and other healthcare professionals within the organisation

e. Deliver basic clinical care interventions under supervision, supporting continuity of care and patient safety initiatives

f. Act as a chaperone as required

g. Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation

h. Provide support during minor operations as required

i. Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the organisations IPC Policy

j. Work within national and local protocols where these exist

k. Be aware of your duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children

l. Recognise the boundaries of their practice and know when and to whom patients should be referred

m. Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements

n. Support the administrative team on an as-required basis

o. Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes

p. Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance

q. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area always

r. Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed

Wider responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Healthcare Assistant has the following wider responsibilities:

a. Participate in any audits as directed

b. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care

c. Support and participate in shared learning

d. Complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with the duty rota

About us

We are an EMIS practice based in Chesham with approx 11,000 patients and have an excellent reputation for delivering a high-quality, responsive and caring service to our patients. We have an experienced and welcoming team of GPs, nurses and support staff and are currently wishing to expand our nursing team to include an additional HCA.

Our surgery is based in a modern, purpose built medical centre with ample parking.