Health Care Assistant In General Practice

Affinity Care; Aberford; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

Access to Simply Health

5 weeks annual leave (pro rata)

Job summary

Affinity Care is seeking a Health Care Assistant to work within our GP network in Bradford. You will perform clinical tasks under supervision, including venepuncture, blood pressure checks, ECGs, and patient health reviews, while maintaining strict confidentiality and coordinating with the multi-disciplinary team.

You will engage in ongoing training and contribute to high-quality patient care, with safeguarding and compliance as core responsibilities within our supportive, community-focused

Qualifications

• HCA experience within NHS Hospital or community setting.
• Willingness to undertake appropriate training for the role.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and work within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients, relatives, staff and the practice.
• Take necessary precautions when transmitting information.

Skills

Venepuncture

Blood pressure measurement

ECG operation

Patient health checks

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Communication

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 in Health Care

General education

Job description

Job summary

The post holder works under indirect supervision of the senior leadership team and partners and undertakes tasks and duties delegated by the senior leadership team, partners, Patient Services Manager and suitably qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and procedures.

Undertake the training and development needed to perform the duties of the role.

Main duties of the job

Treatment Room

Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training

Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory

Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations:

• Blood pressure
• Pulse rate and rhythm
• Temperature
• Height and weight body mass index
• Venepuncture
• ECG
• Basic dressings
• Ear irrigation

Ordering maintaining stock levels and control in treatment area.

Conduct chronic disease health reviews

Conduct LD SMI health reviews

Conduct NHS health checks

Prepare and maintain environments during and after patient care interventions

Provide chaperone services for patients and clinicians

Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted

Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence

About us

We are Affinity Care Primary Care Network covering a population of over 64,000 patients over 7 GP practices and 8 sites, all in the Bradford area. Our ethos is to provide patient focused care based on the model of GP-led family orientated general practice tailored to local population needs. Our practices are highly accredited training practices, level 3 research ready sites within an embedded ethos of our learning organisation.

We are a friendly enthusiastic and hard working team with opportunities for career progression and will provide support and development for anyone demonstrating capability, enthusiasm, commitment and strong work ethic.

Benefits include

• 5 weeks annual leave (pro rata for part time hours)
• Birthday Holiday (pro rata for part time hours)
• Well-being day (pro rata for part time hours)
• NHS pension
• Access to Simply Health

Job responsibilities

Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate

Maintain confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and the practice

Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information

Understand and follow the requirements of confidentiality (including the Data Protection Act) and the Freedom of Information Act and to refer on any queries as appropriate.

Follow Practice policy regarding the use of email and computer tasks as the main internal method of non-verbal communication and the use of the intranet and the internet as the main source of internal and external information, including the retrieval of relevant information for patients on their condition.

The post-holder will:

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients
• Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems
• Know how clinical governance affects the HCA role and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation
• Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care
• Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the team
• Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation.
• Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of work, implementing improvements where required.
• Ensure that you are familiar with the Practices Policies available in the practice staff handbook
• Ensure that you undertake all mandatory training as per the practices Training Policy.
• Attend the practices Protected Learning Time Sessions.
• Maintain your CPD and ensure you revalidate all the necessary skills and qualifications in a timely manner.
• Cold chain management (logging fridge temperatures and downloading dataloggers, informing appropriate person if any concerns.
• Checking emergency equipment and ensuring equipment is in date
• Supporting the Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) to achieve and support patients with specific disease areas. (this can incorporate quite a lot but we need to see where it develops)

Affinity Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Staff should ensure that they are aware of the organisations policy and procedures for safeguarding and discharge their responsibilities for safeguarding effectively. It is individual staff members responsibility to maintain competences with regards to levels of safeguarding training commensurate with individual roles. Staff should report any safeguarding concerns to the appropriate agencies in line with the safeguarding policy.

Equality and diversity

Act in ways that recognise the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures.

Respect the privacy, dignity and beliefs of patients, carers, visitors and co-workers. They must be treated equally, irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

Follow the Practice Chaperoning policy.

Be aware of statutory procedures, local guidance and referral criteria regarding protection of children and vulnerable adults, including Practice policies. Follow the guidance and policies and take action in an appropriate manner.

The jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role. This includes written and verbally communicated information. The job holder should at all times treat patients with dignity and respect and actively seek to assure an environment that facilitates this.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• HCA experience within NHS Hospital or community setting Experience of dealing with patients

Desirable

• HCA within a GP Surgery

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the needs of the patient and the role of the HCA and understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality competent in health care assistant duties e.g. venepuncture, blood pressure, patient health checks Ability to handle simple medical equipment e.g. ECG machine, spirometry ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense ability to communicate effectively ability to deal tactfully and empathetically with distressed or anxious patient ability to work within multi disciplinary teams ability to work to scheduled timelines be able to prioritise own workload

Desirable

• Computer & IT skills Able and willing to teach others

Qualifications

Essential

• Good general education Willingness to undertake appropriate training required for the role Willingness to undertake further education/training

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2/3 or QCF Diploma Level 2 or 3 health care\* GCSE Grade A-C English and mathematics

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.

Affinity Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.