Health Care Assistant in Crediton

Health Care Assistant sought for Amicus Health. Are you looking for a rewarding role in a supportive and close-knit practice? Join us at Amicus Health where we pride ourselves on being a cohesive and caring team.

Why work with us?

• Rated outstanding by CQC: join a team recognised for its exceptional care.
• Training & development: we are a well-established training practice with monthly educational sessions.
• Supportive environment: regular team meetings and a wellness-focused ethos ensure you feel supported.

Main duties of the job

Health Care Assistants (HCAs) work as a member of the Primary Healthcare Team supporting clinicians and patients by carrying out clinical support tasks, infection control tasks, restocking and stock rotation. They perform their tasks safely and efficiently working within agreed protocols and only after appropriate training and sign off processes. Training will be given as required. Please note, this role will work flexibly over our five sites.

About us

Amicus Health is a thriving practice with five sites located in the picturesque Mid Devon area covering Clare House, Bampton, Witheridge, Morchard Bishop and Cheriton Fitzpaine surgeries. We deliver excellent primary care across Mid Devon thanks to our multidisciplinary clinical team of GPs, pharmacists, ANPs, paramedics, practice nurses, HCAs and a strong administrative function. Despite our size, we maintain a strong team ethos with daily meetings, regular clinical team discussions and shared lunch breaks. We provide fruit, tea and coffee for all staff and foster team spirit with annual summer and Christmas parties, yoga, walking groups and appreciation postcards.

Job responsibilities

Professional responsibilities: to assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as directed by the Lead Nurse, Practice Nurses and GPs. Subject to appropriate training, such tasks may include:

• Urinalysis
• ECGs
• Management of anticoagulation patients using Warfarin monitoring software
• Ear syringing
• Follow up wound care and dressings
• Removal of sutures/clips
• Routine adult immunisations following patient specific directions
• Chaperoning patients who are being examined by another clinician
• Assisting GPs within our surgical service, minor surgery and IUD fittings
• Stock checks and reordering stock on a weekly basis
• Record fridge temperatures and promptly report temperature variation from standard
• Completing the first part of long term condition reviews, including height, weight, blood pressure and diabetic foot checks

Administrative responsibilities:

• Maintaining the general tidiness and cleanliness of the Treatment Room
• Maintaining and cleaning equipment used by nurses and GPs
• Assisting the Practice Manager in ensuring equipment is maintained and routinely serviced
• Maintaining and rotating stock items in the clinical rooms and main store
• Ensuring clinical waste is disposed of in accordance with the Clinical Waste Policy
• Maintaining stock of patient leaflets as instructed by GPs and the Practice Manager
• Ordering of health promotion literature
• Following established administrative systems within the practice
• Ensuring accurate notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patient's computer record at all times
• Ensuring all health & safety requirements and infection control measures are met and reporting any problems to the Practice Manager
• Communicating any potential problems or errors within the range of assigned tasks to the Practice Manager
• Maintaining effective liaison with other agencies and staff concerned with patient care, with appropriate regard to confidentiality

Educational responsibilities:

• Undertake training needed to ensure competencies for delivering all responsibilities
• Participating in training in basic life support skills in accordance with practice guidelines
• Participating in annual appraisal meetings
• Maintaining familiarity with safeguarding procedures for children and vulnerable adults
• Attending and participating in practice meetings when required to contribute to the effectiveness of the team
• Participating in the education and training of students
• Participating in any practice audits

Special requirements:

• To provide evidence of immunisation against Hepatitis B
• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality with respect to patients, carers, practice colleagues, other health care workers and information relating to the practice as a business
• An ability to manage own time and workload effectively
• A commitment to the effective use of practice and NHS resources
• An awareness of own limitations and experience
• To work closely with administrative and clinical staff applying agreed policies and procedures to ensure the smooth running of the practice

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills:

• Competent in basic HCA duties
• Demonstrate understanding of requirements of General Practice
• Evidence of ongoing PDP awareness of own accountability
• To have a clear understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Good keyboard and IT skills
• Valid driving licence

Qualifications:

• A demonstrable commitment to professional development
• Good standard of English and Maths
• Qualifications in a health care related subject/HCA qualification
• Qualified in Phlebotomy

Experience:

• Experience of working as a Health Care Assistant or similar role
• Experience of venepuncture
• Experience of wound/ulcer dressing

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.