Health Care Assistant in Exeter

About St Leonards Practice

St Leonards is a busy practice located in the heart of Exeter caring for just under 10,000 registered patients. We have 7 GP partners, 2 nurse practitioners, 3 practice nurses, and 2 HCAs. We pride ourselves on patient care and bring state‑of‑the‑art facilities enabling patients to access a wide range of services from audiology to physiotherapy to mental health. You will be part of a thriving multidisciplinary team.

Main Duties of the Job

• Undertake a range of clinically specific duties appropriate to the delivery of patient care, including:
• ECG recording according to protocol
• Assisting doctors when fitting IUDs and implants
• Some immunisations and injections such as Hep B or influenza
• Diabetic foot checks
• Dressings
• Removal of sutures
• Urinalysis
• Processing and management of laboratory samples requested by GPs/nurses
• NHS Health Checks
• Sterilising, cleansing and maintenance of surgical equipment
• Vaccine/cold chain storage, monitoring and recording
• Surgical equipment and vaccine re‑stocking and stock rotation
• Clearing and re‑stocking consulting rooms
• Undertaking specific clinical activities for named patients that have been delegated and taught specifically in relation to that individual
• Take part in any new projects that may be taken on by St Leonards Practice in the future, if deemed suitable for the HCA role
• Recognise and take appropriate action when adverse measurements/observations are recorded and ensure the appropriate action is taken in a timely manner
• Collating information gathered from the LTC checks and ensuring prompt referrals when necessary to a practice GP or specialist nurse
• Demonstrate excellent customer care skills at all times, treating clients with dignity, courtesy and respect
• Recognise and respond appropriately to challenging behaviour
• Recognise own and others’ level of clinical competence, responsibility and accountability to ensure safe practice, taking appropriate action when there is a concern
• Take personal responsibility for keeping up‑to‑date with new developments and participate in clinical audit when appropriate
• Act as a role model, upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace
• Report all accidents and incidents in accordance with company policies and procedures
• Undertake any training deemed appropriate for the development of the role

Job Responsibilities

The role will support the nursing team in the delivery of service and ensuring prompt referrals when necessary to a practice GP or specialist nurse. It will require clinical care under the direction of qualified practitioners and will include planning, organising, and delivering care as agreed with the supervising practitioner in line with clinical governance and within agreed professional standards and guidelines.

Person Specification

• Previous experience in a similar role
• SystmOne user
• ICE trained
• Fully trained in all aspects of the role
• Experience of working in general practice or primary care
• Looking to consider Nursing Associate training

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.

Policies & Procedures

• Health and Safety/Risk Management: The post holder must comply at all times with the Practice’s Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the organisation’s Incident Reporting System.
• Data Protection: The post holder will comply with the Data Protection Act (1984) and the Access to Health Records Act (1990).
• Equality and Diversity: The post holder must co‑operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co‑workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.
• Respect for Patient Confidentiality: The post holder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.
• Communication & Working Relationships: The post holder will establish and maintain effective communication pathways with GPs within the practice and practice nurses.
• Special Working Conditions: The post holder will have contact with body fluids (eg, wound exudates; urine etc.) while in clinical practice and may be required to work some extended hours shifts on a rota basis.