Healthcare Assistant

Whitley House Surgery; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

A friendly GP training practice is seeking a Healthcare Assistant in Chelmsford. The role involves supporting patients with various clinical tasks, managing clinic responsibilities, and contributing to a positive healthcare environment. Ideal candidates will have experience in communication and health procedures but training is available for the right individual. This position offers flexible working hours and the chance to grow within a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Experience communicating across a wide range of people.
• Able to adapt to changes quickly.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support patients with ECGs, BP monitoring, wound care.
• Manage tasks within the organisation.
• Assist in baby immunisation clinics.

Skills

Communication

Knowledge of Health & Safety in a clinical setting

Knowledge of Infection Control

Flexibility

Willing to learn

IT Skills

Team player

Job description

Wehave an exciting opportunity within our friendly GP training practice for a Healthcare Assistant. We are ideally looking for an experienced HCA, but would consider full training and support for someone new to the role for the right candidate.

In this varied role you will become an integral part of the team, running your own clinics as well as supporting other clinicians and the surgery as a whole.

Main duties of the job

In clinic you will support your patients with:

• ECGs
• BP monitoring
• BMI calculating
• INR monitoring (not dosing)
• Diabetic foot checks
• Wound care management
• Assisting nurses with baby immunisation clinics

Outside of clinics you will:

• Support the team and surgery with room stocking and stock rotation
• Manage tasks and queries within the organisation and from others
• Support the Infection, Prevention and Control lead
• Maintain good health and safety procedures

Although an experienced candidate would be ideal, training can be given for the right applicant.

The surgery is open from 8am to 6.30pm and the successful candidate would need to be able to either start at 8am or finish at 6.30pm.

Working Hours: 16-30 hours per week

Working Days: Negotiable but would need to include a Thursday

Interviews: Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place weeks commencing 17th November and 24th November

About us

Whitley House Surgery is a positive and forward thinking GP Practice in Chelmsford. With a population of nearly 15,000 patients, it is one of the largest GP Practices in Mid-Essex. The surgery is led by 5 GP Partners and a fantastic team of Nursing, Reception and Admin staff. We are driven to continually improve the surgery for the benefit of our patients.

Job responsibilities

We are a long established five Partner practice offering a personal, friendly service whilst delivering a high standard of medical care. All staff are expected to extend that practice ethos to all areas of their duties.

RESPONSIBLE TOLead Practice Nurse

JOB HOURS / SALARY Negotiable & dependent on experience

Brief Job Description:

Assisting the GPs and practice nurse team in the service and delivery of the care management of the practice population. The post holder works under the direct supervision of the Practice Nurse or a suitably qualified regulated clinical professional. They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of the patients, following policy and procedures.

Job Description / Specification

Job Title:

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical skills health and well-being

• 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:

o Blood Pressure, pulse and temperature vital sign measurements

o Height And Weight - Body Mass Index

o ECG

• Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions
• Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted within your appointments as well as being part of targeted campaigns
• Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence

Develop other skills to aid the nursing team basic dressings and routine injections with appropriate training.

Information processes

• 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

Health, safety and security Use the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines

• Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks
• Use appropriate infection control procedures and maintain work areas in each clinical room so that they are clean, safe and free from hazards reporting of any potential risks identified, including:

o hand washing

o universal hygiene procedures

o collection and handling of laboratory specimens

o segregation and disposal of waste materials

o decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment

o reporting and treatment of sharps injuries

o dealing with blood and body fluid spillages

o assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures

• Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain
• Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility
• Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate
• Be aware of statutory child health procedures and statutory local guidance and referral criteria
• Know the health and safety policies and procedures within the workplace, including fire procedures, maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintaining of equipment and furniture within your area of responsibility
• Use the computer monitor safely
• Be able to identify the risks to health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the working environment according to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

Service improvement

• Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit
• Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives
• Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets

Quality

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients
• Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems
• Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care
• Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the team
• Ensure stock items under your control are ordered and available in the treatment and consulting rooms and management of stock
• Know how clinical governance affects the HCA role and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation
• Know the practice's policies, available in the practice staff handbook
• Be able to manage your own time effectively

Equality and diversity

• Act in ways that recognise the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures
• Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and carers
• Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour
• Act as a chaperone

Communication

• Communicate effectively with the team members.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication
• Consider barriers to accessing care created by communication and work in a way to reduce these e.g. with the use of aids
• Complete appropriate referrals to other services

Personal and people development

• Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance including participating in supervision.
• Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development.
• Work with management on any new training requirements.
• Recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary health care team.
• Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of a senior HCA.
• The above list is not exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake any
• other task reasonably expected or requested by the Lead Practice Nurse.

Essential Skills and Experience Required:

• Communication within the Nurse Team, surgery team and other support services
• Knowledge of Health & Safety in a clinical setting
• Knowledge of Infection Control
• Flexibility
• Willing to learn
• IT Skills
• Team player

Key Responsibilities Training can be provided if required

• Running clinics that will involve:
• ECGs
• BP Monitoring
• Height & Weight Recording (BMI)
• Injections (with appropriate training under PSDs e.g. B12)
• Annual Health Checks
• Wound care including post-surgical management
• INR monitoring
• Diabetic foot checks
• Assisting nurses with baby immunisation clinics
• Supporting the nursing team and surgery with:
• Infection, prevention and control as part of running own clinics and supporting the lead
• Managing tasks and queries within SystmOne from within our organisation and from other organisations

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of communicating across a wide range of people, the public and professional organisations
• Experience of working in a fast paced environment
• Able to adapt to changes quickly
• Experience of working to policies and protocols
• Ability to prioritise workload in stressful situations
• Knowledge of Health & Safety in a clinical setting
• Knowledge of Infection Control
• Flexibility
• Willing to learn
• IT Skills
• Team player
• Experience of working in a GP Practice or in Primary Care is desirable but not essential.
• Full training and support can be given to the right candidate
• Experience of working with diabetic patients is desirable as there is an opportunity to support long-term condition reviews for this cohort

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.