Health Care Assistant

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated, patient-focused individual to join our friendly primary care team.

Phlebotomy and HCA training will be provided for the right candidate, making this an excellent opportunity to develop skills and progress within healthcare.

Main duties of the job

Person Specification & Key Responsibilities

• Caring, professional, and reliable
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong understanding of confidentiality and patient dignity
• Commitment to delivering a positive patient experience
• Perform venepuncture, including safe management and disposal of sharps
• Record BP, pulse, weight etc.
• NHS Health Checks
• ECGs
• Wound care
• INR testing
• Sample testing
• Safety, governance and infection control procedures
• Additional Information
• Total number of weekly hours are negotiable
• Free on-site parking available
• Salary dependent on skills and experience
• Appointment subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check

About us

Pinfold Medical Practice is a well-established family practice in the heart of Loughborough, serving approximately 12,500+ patients. Rated Good by the CQC, we pride ourselves on strong teamwork, effective communication, and delivering high-quality patient care.

Our multidisciplinary team includes GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Paramedics, Nurses, and Health Care Assistants.

As an approved education and training practice, we offer a supportive learning environment and encourage professional development.

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

Working under the direct supervision of the Practice Nurse Team 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.

Primary Responsibilities

The Practice Healthcare Assistant level 3 is qualified to deliver the following services to patients.

• Phlebotomy
• Dressings, directed by the practice nurse
• Annual health checks for patients with Chronic Diseases (MOTs)
• NHS health checks
• ECG recording
• Blood pressure checks including 24 hr BP
• Height/weight
• Ear Syringing
• Qrisk assessments
• H-Pylori breath testing
• Administer follow-up B12 injections
• Administer Flu injections to patients 65+ and chronic disease patients
• Perform patient ear checks, ear syringes and hearing tests
• INR & HB INRs
• Handheld spirometry
• Daily clinical and administrative duties include:
• Chaperoning duties as requested
• Accurate records of observations and examination documented in the clinical record
• Preparation of samples to be sent to the lab
• Treatment room checks to include fridge temperature.
• Equipment re-stocking and stock rotation
• Infection prevention and control when preparing and maintaining
• environments and equipment before, during and after patient care and assisting
• GPs during the performance of minor operations
• Helping to raise awareness and promote health and well-being
• QOF (Quality Outcomes Framework). Assisting with the collection and
• collation of data on needs related to health and well-being.

Secondary Responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Health Care Assistant may be requested to:

Partake in audits as directed by the audit lead.

There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks and ad hoc duties as instructed by the lead nurse, practice manager or partners.

Adhere to clinical and non-clinical protocols & guidelines:

Generic Responsibilities

All staff at Pinfold Medical Practice have a duty to conform to the following:

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I)

A good attitude and positive action towards ED&I create an environment where all individuals can achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons: it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do, and it is required by law.

Patients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and be routinely involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender, or sexual orientation. Patients have a responsibility to treat other patients and our staff with dignity and respect.

Staff have the right to be treated fairly in recruitment and career progression. Staff can expect to work in an environment where diversity is valued, and equality of opportunity is promoted. Staff will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender, or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that you treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect.

Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF)

This practice is committed to supporting and promoting opportunities for staff to maintain their health, well-being, and safety. You have a duty to take reasonable care of health and safety at work for you, your team, and others, and to cooperate with employers to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements. All personnel are to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 1995, Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1999 and other statutory legislation.

Confidentiality

This practice is committed to maintaining an outstanding confidential service. Patients entrust and permit us to collect and retain sensitive information relating to their health and other matters pertaining to their care. They do so in confidence and have a right to expect all staff will respect their privacy and always maintain confidentiality. It is essential if the legal requirements are to be met and the trust of our patients is to be retained that all staff protect patient information and provide a confidential service.

Quality & Continuous Improvement (CI)

To preserve and improve the quality of our output, all personnel are required to think not only of what they do, but how they achieve it. By continually re-examining our processes, we will be able to develop and improve the overall effectiveness of the way we work. The responsibility for this rests with everyone working within the practice to look for opportunities to improve quality and share good practice.

This practice continually strives to improve work processes which deliver health care with improved results across all areas of our service provision. We promote a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone counts, and staff are permitted to make suggestions and contributions to improve our service delivery and enhance patient care.

Induction Training

On arrival at the practice, all personnel are to complete a practice induction programme. Reception recruitment and induction training is managed by the reception manager.

Learning and Development

The effective use of training and development is fundamental in ensuring that all staff are equipped with the appropriate skills, knowledge, attitude, and competences to perform their role. All staff will be required to partake and complete mandatory training as well as participating in the practice training programme. Reception training is overseen by the reception manager and delegated to the senior receptionists to organise into the staff rota. Staff will also be permitted (subject to approval) to undertake external training courses which will enhance their knowledge and skills, progress their career and enable them to improve processes and service delivery.

Collaborative Working

All staff are to recognise the significance of collaborative working. Teamwork is essential in multidisciplinary environments. Effective communication is essential, and all staff must ensure they communicate in a manner which enables the sharing of information in an appropriate manner.

Service Delivery

Staff at Pinfold Medical Practice must adhere to the information contained within practice policies and regional directives, ensuring protocols are always adhered to. Staff will be given detailed information during the induction process regarding policy and procedure included in the staff induction pack, employee handbook, reception training manual and Clarity Team Net.

Security

The security of the practice is the responsibility of all personnel. Staff must ensure they always remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately to their line manager. Under no circumstances are staff to share the codes for the door locks to anyone and are to ensure that restricted areas remain effectively secured.

Professional Conduct

At Pinfold Medical Practice, staff are required to dress appropriately for their role. Reception staff will be provided with a uniform whilst clinical staff must dress in accordance with their role.

Communication:

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

Communicate effectively with other team members

Communicate effectively with patients and carers

Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services:

The post-holder will:

Apply practice policies, standards and guidance

Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work

Participate in audit where appropriate.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Current relevant healthcare role or transferable care experience, IT competency, accuracy/ attention to detail

Desirable

• Relevant certificates (e.g. care training, clinical skills, training attendance), Care Certificate, NVQ Level 2 or 3 (Health & Social Care or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a nursing team
• Experience of dealing with vulnerable patients

Desirable

• Experience of working in primary care
• Experience of working in a GP practice