Frailty Healthcare Assistant

Job summary

We are currently seeking a Frailty Health Care Assistant (HCA) to join our friendly and supportive team at West Moors Village Surgery. Sadly, our current HCA is retiring to enjoy the good life! We would expect candidates to have experience as an HCA, although not necessarily in a frailty role, as more specific training can be provided. The focus of the role is ensuring the delivery of safe and effective care to our patient population.

Main duties of the job

The HCA role involves a variety of duties including Phlebotomy (venepuncture), vaccinations, ECG's, clinical observations, urinalysis, long-term condition checks and health checks. (This list is not exhaustive).

The fundamental part of the HCA Frailty role is to meet the primary care needs of an identified group of people identified as frail and needing further support in the community. You would be expected to undertake home visits in accordance with the relevant protocols, support patients and families to help patients safely stay at home.

About us

West Moors Village Surgery is in the heart of the community providing healthcare to 5400 patients. We are a training practice and we like to empower our workforce, supporting you to develop to your fullest potential, as well as partnering with patients to take shared responsibility for their healthcare.

Applicants are advised to review the Job Description and Person Specification carefully before completing the attached Application Form and Equality Monitoring Form. Both completed forms should then be submitted to: [email protected]

Job responsibilities

Working under the direct supervision of the Lead Frailty GP & ACP and strictly in accordance with specific Practice guidelines and protocols, the Frailty HCA will assist the Practice clinical team in the provision and delivery of prescribed programmes of patient care:

The following are the core responsibilities of the Frailty HCA. There will be a need to take on new skills and carry out other tasks in line with the development of the Frailty team.

Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients health and well-being.

Perform annual clinical review in line with patients birthday months, or earlier as clinically indicated.

Perform routine blood tests, blood pressures, ECGs, perform MUST procedures as required.

Perform memory screening signposting to clinician for further assessments and/or referrals.

Administer vaccines under a Patient Specific Direction

Within the frailty assessments provide treatment, preventative care, screening and education to patients, signposting to other services such as social services.

In conjunction with the Frailty lead GP, undertake baseline geriatric assessments for patients identified as severely frail by providing a comprehensive health assessment

Enter any relevant information on to the Dorset Care Plan, meeting the Frailty register guidelines as clinically indicated.

Discussing daily with the duty team any patients on the sudden and serious list which you may be aware of, and where possible deal with their acute needs.

Do your utmost, with your experience and skill of these patients, to prevent admission to hospital and implement the patients wishes as highlighted in the Dorset Care plan

Attend and participate in practice meetings as required.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Healthcare qualification (level 3 or 4) or working towards gaining equivalent level
• Previous completion of the HCA Care Certificate - as detailed within

Desirable

• Phlebotomy certification
• Vaccination certification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting

Desirable

• Experience of working in a primary care environment

Clinical Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Clinical observations, including height, weight, BP, pulse
• ECGs
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes

Desirable

• Chaperone procedure