Health Care Assistant

Burnham Health Centre
Health Care Assistant

Job summary
Working under the direct supervision of the Practice Nurse and strictly in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols, the Healthcare Assistant will assist the practice clinical team in the provision and delivery of prescribed programmes of patient care.

The role would include assisting in the care and treatment of patients, providing and monitoring care, preventative care and health promotion.

Main duties of the job
The clinical knowledge and skills for the role include:

Essential:

• Venepuncture

Desired:

• Wound care and dressings
• Blood pressure monitoring
• ECGs
• Spirometry

About us
Burnham Health Centre is a large teaching practice with various healthcare professionals working at the site. Staff, are encouraged to interact with one another in particular for patients best interests.

We have 13 GPs, nursing staff consisting of Senior Nurses, Practice Nurses, GPA, Nursing Associates and a Phlebotomist, Clinical Pharmacists, and various ARRS from the South Bucks PCN, who regularly work at the practice.

Due to the excellent working relationship, staff members are able to seek advice and are supported where required.

Job responsibilities
Key Duties

• Support the Practice Nurse with health promotion programmes.
• Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, BMI, recording findings accurately.
• Support the Practice Nurse with the management of chronic disease clinics.
• Act as a chaperone as required.
• Undertake venepuncture as required.
• Work towards spirometry.
• Undertake simple dressing procedures following local recommendations, complying with infection control principles and practice, including remove sutures and clips
• Actively participate in achieving QOF and Enhanced Services targets and recall demands
• Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation.
• Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session.
• Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with guidance.
• Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the IPC policy.
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.
• Participate in practice audit as directed by the Clinical Lead/Practice Manager.
• Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care.
• Support and participate in shared learning within the practice.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience of a range of HCA tasks such as wound care
• Venepuncture, vaccinations
• Experience of working in a healthcare environment
• Experience of working to policies and procedures
• Experience of working with the general public

Qualifications
Essential

• Healthcare qualification (level 3/4) or equivalent level of experience

Desirable

• Phlebotomy certificate

Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Able to demonstrate excellent patient care
• Clinical note accuracy and attention to detail
• Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills with a wide variety of people
• Excellent keyboard skills and experience of Microsoft Office
• Able to use initiative and solve problems
• Ability to prioritise workload, and work to deadlines.

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Strong interpersonal & communications skills
• Ability to work autonomously and initiate/self-direct own workload
• Ability to evaluate risk and recommendations for resolutions.
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity and promotes organisational values
• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
• Demonstrates adaptable, flexibility, enthusiasm and commitment.

Other requirements
Essential

• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health Clearance

Desirable

• Flexibility to work outside of core hours

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.