Health Care Assistant - HCA

Latham House Medical Practice; Melton Mowbray; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent medical practice in the UK is seeking a committed Healthcare Assistant (HCA) to join their enthusiastic clinical team. The role is essential in assisting GPs and nurses in providing high-quality primary care services. Applicants should possess an NVQ level 3 in Clinical Healthcare Support and prior experience in Primary Care. Strong organisational and communication skills are necessary for this rewarding position. The practice offers a supportive environment tailored to patient needs.

Qualifications

• Experience in infection prevention and control measures in clinical practice.
• Experience working in Primary Care.
• Legal right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Assist GPs and nursing team in delivering safe primary care.
• Support clinical responsibilities under supervision.
• Communicate effectively with patients and colleagues.

Skills

Good organisational skills

Good interpersonal and communication skills

Education

NVQ level 3/QCF level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or equivalent

Tools

EMIS/SystmOne

Job description

Latham House Medical Practice, one of the UKs largest doctors surgeries, are looking for a committed and enthusiastic HCA to join our friendly and supportive clinical team.

The role is rewarding and varied. It will suit someone who is enthusiastic, motivated and a good team player. We are looking for someone who has experience and confidence in managing patients face to face as well as good organisational and communication skills. This HCA role is developing in the Practice and therefore a willingness to learn and a flexible approach is essential.

Our ideal candidate will hold an NVQ level 3/QCF level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or equivalent and have experience working in Primary Care, Secondary Care or in the community.

Main duties of the job

• The purpose of the post is to assist the GPs and nursing team in the delivery of a safe and high quality primary care service for the practice population.
• The post holder will undertake delegated tasks and duties under direct or indirect supervision.
• The post holder will work within clear parameters and lines of accountability after appropriate training and assessment of competencies.

About us

Conveniently situated within 30 mins from Grantham and the A1, 40 minutes from Nottingham and Leicester, and 50 mins from Peterborough; Melton Mowbray is a large market town offering all local amenities including easy access to schools and good quality housing. The town is in the fortunate position of being surrounded by picturesque villages, beautiful countryside, and local activities like Rutland Water. You will have the opportunity to provide high quality primary care services for a mixed demographic population of 37,300 patients.

Job responsibilities

Professional

• Work effectively as part of a team.
• Work under direct or indirect supervision of a registered practitioner.
• Work to agreed protocols and procedures.
• Solve routine problems within scope of role and competencies and escalates when required.
• Must understand the concept of accountability and responsibility and be confident to accept delegated responsibility for a registered practitioner after necessary preparatory training.
• Attend practice and group meetings within the practice.
• Complete statutory training/updates and mandatory training as specified by the practice.
• Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance and identify gaps in knowledge and skills.
• Inform line manager/registered nurse or practice manager if unable to perform any aspect of role competently.
• Help support the development of other staff including pre‑registration nurses.

Knowledge

Have underpinning knowledge of key interventions and conditions cared for in the primary care setting.

Ability to recognise factors that impact on health and be able to offer simple health advice.

Non Clinical role

• To undertake infection control and prevention measures within the Practice.
• To assist with ordering of clinical stock/supplies for the practice.
• To assist with monitoring/maintaining of medical equipment/devices.

Clinical Role

• To undertake and record the following in consultations after appropriate training completed (these may include but are not exhaustive of):
• Preparation of specimens for laboratory analysis
• NHS Health‑Checks/Annual Health Checks for some long term conditions
• Height and weight, BMI and waist measurements
• Blood pressure, temperature and pulse
• Recording 24 hour BP
• Urinalysis
• Health promotion
• Diabetic foot checks
• Basic Hypertension
• Ear Irrigation
• Administration of selected vaccines/medication by injection with the appropriate legal authorisation.
• To assist clinicians with minor surgical procedures, including setting up and tidying away.
• To act as chaperone.
• To assist in basic wound care management under direct or indirect supervision after initial assessment by a Registered Practitioner.
• To include removal of wound closure materials including sutures, clips and staples.

Communication

• Communicate clearly with patients/carers and relatives about their presenting condition and planned care.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Work collaboratively with all colleagues and outside agencies.
• Awareness of data protection issues.

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.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post‑holder will have access to confidential information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

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.

Health & Safety

The post‑holder will support, promote and maintain the Practice’s Health & Safety Policy and Procedures and the Practice’s Infection Control Policy and Procedures.

Equality and Diversity

The post‑holder will support, promote and maintain the Practice’s Equality & Diversity Policy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3/QCF level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or equivalent.

Knowledge

• Maintenance of up to date knowledge and skills in relation to roles undertaken.
• Understanding of Infection prevention and Control measures.
• Understanding of effective team working.

Skills

• Good organisational skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Additional

• Enhanced DBS Certification.
• Legal Right to work in the UK.
• Hep B/MMR - Vaccinated or willing to be vaccinated.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to maintain the consistent delivery of high quality services.

Experience

• Experience of infection prevention and control measures in clinical practice.
• Experience working with EMIS/SystmOne.
• Experience working in Primary Care.

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.