GP Surgery Health Care Assistant

The post holder is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe and effective health care to the whole practice population. To assist medical personnel in the care of practice patients to include treatment, preventative care, screening, and patient education. They will act as a focal point of communication between patients, doctors, nurses, and other members of the primary health care team. They will work collaboratively with the whole general practice team to meet the needs of patients and support the delivery of policy and procedures. The role of the Healthcare Assistant is to make sure the patient experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. The post will also include some administrative duties.

Main duties of the job

• Assist in and perform routine tasks relating to patient care as directed by nursing staff and GPs.
• Various checks and monitoring (e.g., BP monitoring, urinalysis, weight monitoring).
• Assist with childhood immunisations, maintaining Practice records.
• Assist clinicians in emergency management of patients.
• Provide lifestyle advice to patients and make any necessary referrals within the Practice.
• Ensure specimens are labelled and bagged ready for collection with the necessary paperwork completed.
• Ensure clinical waste collection runs smoothly, reporting any problems to the Nurse Team Leader.
• Ensure sharps bins are ready for collection.
• Restocking/maintenance of equipment; restocking of clinical areas and consulting rooms.
• Skilled phlebotomist; process lab samples.
• Monitor patients' conditions by taking temperatures, oxygen saturation, weight, height, and pulse; urinalysis.
• Chaperoning and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician.
• Assisting GPs with minor surgery; ECGs.
• Cleaning all clinical areas ensuring continued high standards in infection control; maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of nurses and treatment rooms.
• Participation in administrative systems in the practice; attend and participate in Nurse meetings and appropriate practice meetings when required.
• Diabetic foot checks; any other delegated duties appropriate to the post.

About us

Committed to serve, striving for excellence. We aim to provide our patients with an efficient and effective, quality service. Provide a high standard of medical care. Be committed to our patients’ needs. Act with integrity and complete confidentiality. Be compassionate, courteous, approachable, friendly and accommodating.

Administration and professional responsibilities

• Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the practice team.
• Ensure accurate notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded on the computer clinical system (EMIS).
• Ensure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient health care and registration with the practice.
• Ensure collection and maintenance of statistical information required for regular and ad hoc reports.
• Assist in seasonal and special projects (e.g., flu campaign).
• Ordering and display of Health Promotion materials; ensuring all single-use items are kept stocked and in date.
• Participate in administrative systems in the practice; maintain GP and Nurses rooms, stocking and rotating items as required.
• Advise the Lead Nurse or Practice Manager of potential problems or errors within the range of assigned tasks.
• Complete all mandatory training required for the practice and post in line with CQC requirements.
• Any other delegated duties considered appropriate to the post.

Special requirements of the post

• Caring, kind and empathetic; good observational skills; friendly and cheerful; a good listener.
• Understanding and adherence to strict confidentiality.
• Ability to use own judgment, resourcefulness, and common sense.
• Commitment to maintain a high professional standard of health care and keep up to date with all aspects of care relevant to the post.
• Commitment to health and safety requirements and infection control measures; report to appropriate team member.
• Commitment to the effective use of practice and NHS resources; awareness of own limitations and experience.
• Excellent communication skills; understanding of capabilities and limitations; ability to work without direct supervision and prioritise workload; basic keyboard and computer skills.
• Full DBS check.

General

As part of the nursing team, the HCA will undertake nursing and administrative duties as deemed suitable by the Partners. Training will be given prior to patient contact. The HCA will usually work alongside another member of the nursing and/or GP team with a clinician available for reference. The role involves computer use and keyboard skills, with the ability to organise and prioritise a varied workload. To maintain a safe and effective level of practice and to bring any training needs to the attention of the Nurse Team Leader so these can be addressed. They will be required to act professionally and adhere to practice policies, protocols, and guidelines.

Training

Training requirements will be monitored constantly, as well as by yearly appraisal. Personal development will be encouraged and supported by the practice. It is the individual’s responsibility to remain up to date with recent developments.

Accountability

Although accountable to the Partners of the practice through the Practice Manager as an employee, they are ultimately responsible for their own practice and must ensure that limitations are acknowledged. Full training will be provided for any clinical procedures.

Meetings

It will be necessary to attend various Practice meetings as requested. The only reason for not attending will be annual, study or sick leave.

Liaison

Work closely with reception and administration staff and communicate with all members of the Practice team.

Communication

Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment. Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background, and preferred ways of communicating. Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication. Produce written documents that evidence the contribution of the nursing team to practice priorities. Awareness of Caldicott Guardian principles.

Team working

Understand own role and scope in the practice; delegate appropriately; prioritise own workload; work effectively with others to define values, direction and policies. Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team.

Management of Risk

Manage and assess risk within areas of responsibility; ensure safety and compliance with health, safety, security legislation, policies, and guidelines. Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs; monitor controlled drug usage; apply infection-control measures; implement policies to reduce environmental health risks; participate in local implementation strategies aligned to general practice values.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended to reflect the needs of the service.

Person Specification

• Able to perform phlebotomy and ECGs as a minimum.
• Willing to learn.
• Diabetic foot check.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.