GP Surgery jobs in East Sussex

Healthcare Assistant (HCA)Job description and person specification
Job title

Healthcare Assistant

Line manager

Lead Nurse

Accountable to

Lead Nurse/Partners

Hours per week

Part time

Job summary

To support the practice nursing and administrative teams in the delivery of clinical and administrative services, working as part of the practice multi-disciplinary team, delivering care within their scope of practice to the entitled patient population.

The Healthcare Assistant will deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion and patient education whilst also supporting the administrative team on an as-required basis.

Experience of working in a GP Practice is Essential

Primary responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Healthcare Assistant. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

• Undertake new patient health checks
• Support the practice nurse with health promotion programmes
• Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximitery, blood pressure, temperature and pulse rate, recording findings accurately
• Facilitate routine and 24-hour BP monitoring, advising patients accordingly
• Undertake wound care, dressings and other clinical tasks as required
• Support the practice nurse with the management of chronic disease clinics
• Carry out BMI checks as directed
• Act as a chaperone as required
• When trained, undertake venepuncture
• When trained, administer flu vaccinations
• When trained, carry out ear irrigation under the supervision of the practice nurse
• Carry out ECGs as requested
• Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation
• Provide support during minor operations as required
• Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session
• Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with extant guidance
• Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the organisation’s IPC policy
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Secondary responsibilities

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

• Participate in practice audit as directed by the audit lead
• Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care
• Support and participate in shared learning within the organisation
• Complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with the duty rota

Person specification – Healthcare Assistant

Qualifications

Essential

Healthcare qualification (level 3 or 4) or working towards gaining equivalent level

Phlebotomy certification

Desirable

Previous completion of the HCA Care Certificate (as per GP Mythbuster No 57 - HCAs in General Practice

Vaccination certification

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with the general public

Experience of working in a healthcare setting

Experience of working in a GP practice

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential

ECGs

Venepuncture

New patient medicals, including height, weight, BP, pulse

Chaperone procedure

Ability to record accurate clinical notes

Wound care/removal of sutures and staples

Skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills (written and oral)

Strong IT skills

Clear, polite telephone manner

Effective time management (planning and organising)

Ability to work as a team member and autonomously

Good interpersonal skills

Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure

Desirable

Competent in the use of Office and Outlook

EMIS user skills

Personal qualities

Essential

Polite and confident

Flexible and cooperative

Motivated

Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required

High levels of integrity and loyalty

Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations

Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations

Able to communicate effectively and understand the needs of the patient

Commitment to ongoing professional development

Effectively utilise resources

Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort

Other requirements

Desirable

Flexibility to work outside core office hours

Essential

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check

Occupational Health clearance

Notes:

The job description and person specification may be amended following consultation with the post holder to facilitate the development of the role, the organisation and the individual.

All personnel should be prepared to accept additional, or surrender existing duties, to enable the efficient running of the organisation.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Uckfield, East Sussex: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• working within a doctor's surgery as a healthcare assistant: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person