Healthcare Assistant (HCA)

Harrow Health CIC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health service provider in Greater London seeks a motivated Clinical Support Worker to contribute to patient care across Gynaecology and ENT services. Responsibilities include assisting clinicians, managing procedures, and ensuring clinical areas are prepared. Candidates should have a healthcare qualification, strong communication skills, and ability to work independently under guidance. The role provides the opportunity for professional development and working within a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Primary Care or healthcare setting.
• Dealing with the public, including sensitive situations.
• Knowledge of Infection Prevention and Control Procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the smooth running of clinics, both administratively and clinically.
• Manage patients needing procedures or treatments autonomously.
• Ensure clinical areas are ready for consultations.

Skills

Basic observations

ECG performance

Minor surgical assistance

Wound care management

Micro suction competency

Education

Healthcare qualification or equivalent

Good standard of general education including English

Certificate of competency in phlebotomy

Job description

The post holder will work under the guidance and supervision of the clinical team in the following services

• Gynaecology
• Ear, Nose and Throat

The clinics provide pre-booked appointments for patients referred to the services. The post holder will provide support to the clinicians and perform procedures as required, for example, observations, wound care, phlebotomy, and assist in minor surgery and gynaecology procedures. The individual will have full access to patient notes on the EMIS system record assessments and care delivered.

The post holder will be a source of expertise to less experienced staff, and work in partnership within a multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.

Main duties of the job

• To assist in the smooth running of the clinics, both administratively and clinically, within scope of practice
• To assist clinicians in delivering care and carrying out procedures, for example, minor surgery, Intrauterine System fitting, Hysteroscopy, Phlebotomy, ENT,
• Act as a chaperone when requested
• To work autonomously managing patients needing procedures or treatment, as requested by senior colleagues
• To ensure patients have consented to, and are fully involved in the implementation of their procedure / treatment plans
• To adapt styles of communication appropriately in order to promote empowerment, self-management and health education for patients
• Liaise with other team members / refer as appropriate
• To identify actual or potential clinical risks within scope of practice and take appropriate action using, when required, the appropriate reporting structure
• Ensure all clinical waste and sharps bins are removed from the clinical areas and disposed of appropriately, in line with HH Infection Prevention and Control Policy and Procedure
• Ensure all specimens are correctly labelled and bagged in preparation for transfer to the the laboratories.

About us

Harrow Health CIC began in 2007 by a group of Harrow GPs, whose sole aim was to ensure patients receive a high-quality clinical care service within the community. Over the years, HHCIC has expanded. We now provide many clinical services, which include a variety of Community Services, and our Enhanced Frailty Service. The services are delivered between 8am-8pm seven days a week excluding Bank Holidays.

Job responsibilities

• To ensure the clinical areas are prepared for consultations, ensuring appropriate equipment is available
• Work with the clinic manager to ensure adequate stock available and advise when consumables need to be ordered
• To ensure that patient records and documentation are maintained in line with Harrow Healthcare policies and use of the electronic patient records system. This includes:
• Documenting full, accurate and contemporaneous records of assessments, investigations, procedures, treatments and aftercare.
• Encouraging colleagues to maintain good and complete records.
• Working closely with the reception team / administrator, ensuring all records pertinent to patients are filed as appropriate
• Work within local policies, protocols and guidelines Trusts and Harrow Health.
• To participate in audits if requested, and use the results, current research, and government guidelines to make recommendations for changes to service delivery and clinical practice, sharing these findings as appropriate.
• To collect data, and provide service information to the Team Leader as required. This may include audit of outcomes of care received by Patients seen in the service.
• To ensure that Team Leader, Head of Nursing and Clinical Governance Lead are kept informed of service issues and potential risks.
• To work with the Team Leader and Head of Nursing in delivering and promoting the needs of the service
• To work with the Team Leader, Head of Nursing and Clinical Governance Lead to meet the Clinical Governance needs of the services, including investigation of incidents and complaints, where required.
• To remain updated in the use all equipment used in the service and to report any technical problems or issues with that equipment.
• To participate in team meetings to discuss day to day operational issues as required.

Person Specification

Experience

• - Experience in a Primary Care / healthcare setting
• - Experience dealing with the public
• - Infection Prevention and Control Procedures
• - Knowledge of use of IT
• - Secondary Care experience
• - Up to date knowledge of DOH,NICE and local guidelines, for example, GDPR, wound care, safeguarding
• - Awareness of how to source up to date guidance as needed
• - Basic knowledge of Gynaecology /Dermatology / ENT/Gastroenterology

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to carry out and interpret basic observations
• Able to perform ECGs
• Skills in assistance with minor procedures such as minor surgery and gynaecological assessment and device fitting
• Competency in wound care management
• Willing to carry out training where needs are identified.
• Trained and competent in performing Micro suction

Personal Qualities

• To be a reflective practitioner
• Committed to self-directed development
• Assertive, adaptable / flexible / energetic and enthusiastic
• Good communication skills and able to be sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure
• Teamwork and communication
• Willingness to work shift patterns as dictated by service needs
• Challenge accepted practice as appropriate
• Develop links with other primary care services as needed
• Awareness of Clinical Governance agenda

Personal Qualities

• To be a reflective practitioner
• Committed to self-directed development
• Assertive, adaptable / flexible / energetic and enthusiastic
• Good communication skills and able to be sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure
• Teamwork and communication
• Willingness to work shift patterns as dictated by service needs
• Challenge accepted practice as appropriate
• Develop links with other primary care services as needed
• Awareness of Clinical Governance agenda

Qualifications

• - Healthcare qualification or equivalent level
• - Good standard of general education, including English.
• - Up to date with Statutory and Mandatory training Certificate of
• competency in phlebotomy.
• - NVQ / Skills for Health qualification
• -Willing to complete Statutory and Mandatory training
• -Customer Care training

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.