Health Care Assistant

The Adam Practice; Poole; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

A reputable healthcare provider in Poole is looking for an enthusiastic Healthcare Assistant to join their Nursing team. The ideal candidate will provide quality care, support patients in minor operations, and assist in health promotion activities. Excellent communication and empathy are essential. This role offers a permanent position with 18 hours per week and competitive pay based on experience. Training opportunities are available for new skills and responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Experience in Community Primary Healthcare or relevant area of secondary care.
• Competent basic wound care knowledge.
• Experience in working within a nursing team.

Responsibilities

• Support medical/nursing colleagues in minor operations and clinics.
• Perform basic wound care and dressings.
• Deliver pre-procedure clinical advice to patients.
• Assist in health promotion and lifestyle advice.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Empathy and sensitivity

Ability to work under pressure

Basic wound care knowledge

Fluency in English

Education

Qualification in Healthcare

Job description

We are seeking to employ an enthusiastic Healthcare Assistant, whom hasa strong emphasis on providing quality care, good teamwork and flexibility, tojoin our established Nursing team.

Excellent communication skills and a reliable, friendly, professionalattitude are essential for this role. You will also share the Practice valuesof Excellence, Responsibility, Integrity, Development and Commitment, andchampion them always in your work ethos.

This vacancy is offered as a permanent role of 18 hours per week. Specific days and times to be discussed at interview.

Salary Dependent upon experience, pay equivalent to AFC Band2/3. (please note the practice has its own PayScale and not AFC)

Level 2 training required or equitable clinical experience.

Main duties of the job

• Workingunder the direct supervision of the Practice Nurses and Doctors, this role willinvolve;
• Include opportunistic health andlifestyle screening and patient education.
• The post will also include someadministrative duties, including, providing direct pre-procedure advice forpatients attending for family planning clinics,.
• Act as a focal point ofcommunication between patients, doctors, nurses and other members of theprimary health care team
• Support non-patient facing clinicalduties, such as maintaining stock, equipment, and fridge maintenance to ensuresmooth running of the clinics.
• Basicwound care knowledge is essential to undertake this role, however, trainingwill be given as required.

About us

We are a CQC Outstanding-rated Practice with 40,000 patients and 16 current Partners working across 5 sites. We successfully combine efficiencies of scale with localised continuity and high quality care on individual surgery sites, whilst using a total triage appointment system to ensure acute patients are seen in a timely manner. We have the benefit of nearly 40 years of experience as a large multi-site Practice, providing a secure and stable environment to work in.

Job responsibilities

• To support medical/nursing colleagues in the provision of dedicated minor operations / family planning clinics and act as a chaperone during procedures
• To be able to undertake basic wound care/dressings and to refer patients to trained nursing colleagues where necessary for follow-up review.
• To assist with the delivery of pre-procedure clinical advice, generally via telephone calls, to ensure patients are fully informed of procedure/risks and have any queries answered. Referring onto medical practitioner for any areas of concern as per protocol.
• Assist in Health Promotion and healthy lifestyle advice, in line with national initiatives such as, make every contact count.
• To perform ECGs as required and undertake baseline observations -BP/Pulse/Temp and oxygen saturation as required.
• To perform venepuncture for patients and support phlebotomy clinics if required.
• Height/Weight/BMI monitoring opportunistically.
• With training, ability to support seasonal and projects as required, such as annual Flu campaigns
• Assist in the assessment, surveillance, promotion and collection of data of patients health and well-being
• To prepare consulting rooms, prior to dedicated clinics, and maintain stocks of equipment / supplies
• To ensure couches, fridges and clinical areas are kept clean
• To ensure medical equipment is maintained and cleaned in preparation for next clinic. Ensuring any equipment that needs sterilizing is sent to CSSD as per protocol and monitored for timely returns.
• To maintain relevant medication stock levels and stock rotation in liaison with colleagues.
• To maintain and order drugs in liaison with nurses, instruments and clinical supplies
• Following training to perform other clinical tasks to meet the needs of the practice
• To provide support to the practice nursing/medical team to enable them to function effectively
• In agreement with Line manager to perform any other task within the skills of the post holder and with relevant training given, that supports the practice to provide nursing services.

Person Specification

Empathy & Sensitivity

• Holistic approach to clinical care with patient at the centre of any decision
• Treats patients with sensitivity and personal understanding

Mobility

• Valid Driving Licence
• Use of own vehicle for driving between surgeries when required

Qualities & Attributes

• Excellent communication and people skills
• Demonstrates ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrates ability to use own initiative and lateral thinking
• Recognises own limitations and has a supportive approach to colleagues.
• Understanding of own scope of practice and when to seek assistance
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Potential to cope with stressful situations and undertake responsibility
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Motivated and Trustworthy
• Flexibility and a Good Timekeeper

Qualifications

• Experience of CommunityPrimary Healthcare or relevant area of secondary care.
• Qualification in Healthcare

Experience

• Competent basic wound care knowledge
• Experience of working within a nursing team
• Experience of dealing with vulnerable patients
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both face to face and on the telephone
• Flexible approach and willingness to adjust to the changing needs of the practice
• Willingness to undertake further training
• An understanding and acceptance of own capabilities and awareness of own limitations and when to escape
• Interest or experience in Lower limb care
• Digital skills in using platforms to aid patient access

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.

Depending on experienceEquivalent to AFC band 2/3 or relevant experience