Health Care Assistant in Poole

We are seeking to employ an enthusiastic Healthcare Assistant, who has a strong emphasis on providing quality care, good teamwork and flexibility, to join our established Nursing team. Excellent communication skills and a reliable, friendly, professional attitude are essential for this role. You will also share the Practice values of Excellence, Responsibility, Integrity, Development and Commitment, and champion them always in your work ethos. This vacancy is offered as a permanent role of 18 hours per week. Specific days and times to be discussed at interview. Salary dependent upon experience, pay equivalent to AFC Band 2/3. Level 2 training required or equitable clinical experience.

Main duties of the job:

• Working under the direct supervision of the Practice Nurses and Doctors, this role will involve opportunistic health and lifestyle screening and patient education.
• The post will also include some administrative duties, including providing direct pre-procedure advice for patients attending for family planning clinics.
• Act as a focal point of communication between patients, doctors, nurses and other members of the primary health care team.
• Support non-patient facing clinical duties, such as maintaining stock, equipment, and fridge maintenance to ensure smooth running of the clinics.
• Basic wound care knowledge is essential to undertake this role, however, training will be given as required.

About us:

We are a CQC Outstanding-rated Practice with 40,000 patients and 16 current Partners working across 5 sites. We successfully combine efficiencies of scale with localised continuity and high quality care on individual surgery sites, whilst using a total triage appointment system to ensure acute patients are seen in a timely manner. We have the benefit of nearly 40 years of experience as a large multi-site Practice, providing a secure and stable environment to work in.

Job responsibilities:

• To support medical/nursing colleagues in the provision of dedicated minor operations / family planning clinics and act as a chaperone during procedures.
• To be able to undertake basic wound care/dressings and to refer patients to trained nursing colleagues where necessary for follow-up review.
• To assist with the delivery of pre-procedure clinical advice, generally via telephone calls, to ensure patients are fully informed of procedure/risks and have any queries answered.
• Referring onto medical practitioner for any areas of concern as per protocol.
• Assist in Health Promotion and healthy lifestyle advice, in line with national initiatives such as, make every contact count.
• To perform ECGs as required and undertake baseline observations - BP/Pulse/Temp and oxygen saturation as required.
• To perform venepuncture for patients and support phlebotomy clinics if required.
• Height/Weight/BMI monitoring opportunistically.
• With training, ability to support seasonal and projects as required, such as annual Flu campaigns.
• Assist in the assessment, surveillance, promotion and collection of data of patients health and well-being.
• To prepare consulting rooms, prior to dedicated clinics, and maintain stocks of equipment / supplies.
• To ensure couches, fridges and clinical areas are kept clean.
• To ensure medical equipment is maintained and cleaned in preparation for next clinic.
• Ensuring any equipment that needs sterilising is sent to CSSD as per protocol and monitored for timely returns.
• To maintain relevant medication stock levels and stock rotation in liaison with colleagues.
• To maintain and order drugs in liaison with nurses, instruments and clinical supplies.
• Following training to perform other clinical tasks to meet the needs of the practice.
• To provide support to the practice nursing/medical team to enable them to function effectively.
• In agreement with Line manager to perform any other task within the skills of the post holder and with relevant training given, that supports the practice to provide nursing services.

Person Specification:

• Empathy & Sensitivity: Holistic approach to clinical care with patient at the centre of any decision. Treats patients with sensitivity and personal understanding.
• Mobility: Valid Driving Licence. Use of own vehicle for driving between surgeries when required.
• Qualities & Attributes: Excellent communication and people skills. Demonstrates ability to work under pressure. Demonstrates ability to use own initiative and lateral thinking. Recognises own limitations and has a supportive approach to colleagues. Understanding of own scope of practice and when to seek assistance. Fluency in written and spoken English. Potential to cope with stressful situations and undertake responsibility. Commitment to continuing professional development. Motivated and Trustworthy. Flexibility and a Good Timekeeper.

Qualifications:

• Experience of Community Primary Healthcare or relevant area of secondary care.
• Qualification in Healthcare.

Experience:

• Competent basic wound care knowledge.
• Experience of working within a nursing team.
• Experience of dealing with vulnerable patients.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both face to face and on the telephone.
• Flexible approach and willingness to adjust to the changing needs of the practice.
• Willingness to undertake further training.
• An understanding and acceptance of own capabilities and awareness of own limitations and when to escape.
• Interest or experience in Lower limb care.
• Digital skills in using platforms to aid patient access.

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.