Part time Healthcare Assistant

NHS; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Abingdon is seeking a part-time Health Care Assistant to support the practice nurse and assist with patient care responsibilities. The role involves performing clinical tasks like urinalysis, measuring vital signs, and maintaining clinical environments. Ideal candidates are proactive with experience in care settings and willing to develop skills in areas such as phlebotomy.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of the needs of the patient and the role of the HCA.
• Willing to develop clinical skills relevant to the role, e.g., phlebotomy.

Responsibilities

• Undertake urinalysis and prepare specimens for investigation.
• Record physiological measurements such as blood pressure and pulse.
• Assist in patient care and manage clinical waste.

Skills

Urinalysis

Physiological measurement

Clinical waste management

Communication

Infection control

Education

Basic literacy and numeracy skills

Basic computer experience

Experience working in a care environment

Job description

Role Overview

Part time position 18 hours per week Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 2pm - 6.30pm The post holder will work under indirect supervision of the lead practice nurse and undertake tasks and duties delegated by the practice nurse or a suitably qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and procedures.

Main duties of the job

• Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory
• Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations for example: blood pressure, pulse, ECG, venepuncture.
• Tidying and restocking consulting rooms
• Removal of clinical waste to central waste collection point
• Assist nurses with stock management and ordering

About us

• Opportunities to develop the role will be provided and could include for example:
• spirometry reviews
• instant check monitoring

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities

Clinical skills health and well-being

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

1. Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory
2. Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations for example:
   • Blood pressure
   • Pulse rate and rhythm
   • Temperature
   • Height and weight -body mass index
   • Venepuncture
   • ECG
   • Hearing Screening
   • Health Checks
   • Weight Management
   • Diabetes foot checks
3. Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions
4. Assist in raising awareness of health and well‑being, and how it can be promoted
5. Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence
6. Support and monitor patients during nebulisation therapy

Opportunities to develop the role will be provided and could include for example:

1. Spirometry reviews
2. Instant check monitoring

Administration Responsibilities

• Ordering & maintaining appropriate levels of clinical stock

Information processes

1. Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate
2. Maintain confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and the practice
3. Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information

Communication

1. Communicate effectively with other team members
2. Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication

Personal and people development

1. Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, including participating in supervision
2. Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
3. Work with management on any new training requirements
4. Participate in mandatory training e.g. resuscitation, infection control, first aid, fire awareness, information governance, child protection etc
5. Recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary health care team
6. Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of a basic HCA (band 2)

Health, safety and security

1. Use the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
2. Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks
3. 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:
4. hand washing
5. universal hygiene procedures
6. collection and handling of laboratory specimens
7. segregation and disposal of waste materials
8. decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment
9. reporting and treatment of sharps injuries
10. dealing with blood and body fluid spillages
11. Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures
12. Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain
13. Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility
14. Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate
15. Be aware of statutory child health procedures and statutory local guidance and referral criteria
16. 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
17. Use the computer monitor safely
18. 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

Clinical and Domestic Services

• Daily tidying & restocking consulting rooms
• Removal of clinical waste to central waste collection point
• Assist nurses with stock management and ordering.
• Fridge temperature monitoring.

Service improvement

1. Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit
2. Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives
3. Maintain the noticeboard in the waiting room and promote good health with educational material
4. Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets

Quality

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

Equality and diversity

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

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Basic literacy and numeracy skills
• Basic computer experience
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the needs of the patient and the role of the HCA
• Willing to develop clinical skills and competency relevant to the role e.g. phlebotomy skills
• Experience working in a care environment

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.