Part time Healthcare Assistant

Long Furlong Medical Centre; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare facility in Abingdon is seeking a part-time Healthcare Assistant to support the clinical team. The role involves responsibilities such as assisting with patient measurements, maintaining cleanliness in clinical areas, and managing stock levels. Candidates should have basic literacy and numeracy skills along with a willingness to develop clinically. This position offers opportunities for further training and development.

Qualifications

• Basic literacy and numeracy skills.
• Experience working in a care environment.
• Demonstrate understanding of the role of the HCA.

Responsibilities

• Assist with urinalysis and blood pressure measurements.
• Record physiological measurements accurately.
• Support nurses with stock management and ordering.

Skills

Basic literacy and numeracy skills

Basic computer experience

Understanding patient needs

Willingness to develop clinical skills

Experience in a care environment

Job description

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

Key responsibilities -

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 andfollow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriatetraining:

1. Urinalysis and preparation of specimens forinvestigation by the pathology laboratory

2. Measuring and recording following physiologicalmeasurements 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 equipmentbefore, during and after patient care interventions

4. Assist in raising awareness of health andwell-being, and how it can be promoted

5. Give accurate and appropriate information topatients and groups within own competence

6. Support and monitor patients during nebulisationtherapy

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

1. Spirometry reviews

2. Instant check monitoring

Administration Responsibilities

1.Ordering & maintaining appropriate levels of clinical stock

Information processes

1.Record informationand activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timelyfashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate

2.Maintainconfidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and thepractice

3.Take the necessaryprecautions when transmitting information

Communication

1.Communicateeffectively with other team members

2.Communicateeffectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternativemethods of communication

Personal and people development

1.Take responsibilityfor own developmental learning and performance, including participating insupervision

2.Take responsibilityfor maintaining a record of own personal development

3.Work with managementon any new training requirements

4.Participate inmandatory training e.g. resuscitation, infection control, first aid, fireawareness, information governance, child protection etc

5.To recognise andunderstand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primaryhealth care team

6.Be aware of the legalissues pertinent to the role of a basic HCA (band 2)

Health, safety and security

1.Use the personalsecurity systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines

2.Identify the risksinvolved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks

3.Use appropriateinfection control procedures and maintain work areas in each clinical room sothat they are clean, safe and free from hazards reporting of any potentialrisks identified, including:

3.1.hand washing

3.2.universal hygieneprocedures

3.3.collection andhandling of laboratory specimens

3.4.segregation anddisposal of waste materials

3.5.decontamination ofinstruments and clinical equipment

3.6.reporting and treatmentof sharps injuries

3.7.dealing with bloodand body fluid spillages

3.8.Assist patients andcolleagues in adopting sound infection control measures

4.Understand and applythe principles of the cold chain

5.Ensure safe storage,rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility

6.Know the generalprinciples of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initialactions as appropriate

7.Be aware of statutorychild health procedures and statutory local guidance and referral criteria

8.Know the health andsafety policies and procedures within the workplace, including fire procedures,maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintaining of equipment andfurniture within your area of responsibility

9.Use the computermonitor safely

10.Be able to identifythe risks to health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the workingenvironment according to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

Clinical and Domestic Services

1.Daily tidying & restocking consulting rooms

2.Removal of clinical waste to central waste collection point

3.Assist nurses with stock management and ordering.

4.Fridge temperature monitoring.

Service improvement

1.Be aware of and, ifappropriate, assist in current clinical audit

2.Work with colleaguesin the team on the development of current and new services and otherinitiatives

3.Maintain the noticeboard in the waiting room and promote good health with educational material

4.Deal with requestsfrom patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets

Quality

1.Alert other teammembers to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients

2.Ensure own actionsare consistent with clinical governance systems

3.Practice inaccordance with agreed standards of care

4.Enable patients toaccess appropriate professionals in the team

5.Ensure stock itemsunder your control are ordered and available in the treatment and consultingrooms

6.Know how clinicalgovernance affects the HCA role and bring to the attention of more senior staffany specific risk situation

7.Know the practice'spolicies, especially the whistle-blowing policy, available in the practicestaff handbook

8.Be able to manageyour own time effectively

Equality and diversity

1.Act in ways thatrecognise the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that isconsistent with procedures

2.Respect the privacy,dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and carers

3.Understand basiclegal 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.