Healthcare Assistant in Madeley

Healthcare Assistants work as part of the team, providing clinical support to the multidisciplinary team and assisting other members of the team to ensure a high standard of patient care. Working under the supervision of a clinician and in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols, they are responsible for performing specific duties including basic vital observations.

The Healthcare Assistant will also undertake basic housekeeping duties as directed by the clinician in charge and have a flexible approach to shift patterns and service needs which may involve working in different areas or cross-site working.

Main duties of the job:

• To work efficiently and professionally with the multidisciplinary team to provide a safe and efficient service to all service users and their carers.
• To competently undertake and record (after appropriate training) baseline observations:
• Temperature
• Pulse
• Respiration
• Blood pressure
• Weight
• Urinalysis
• Blood Glucose
• Peak Flow
• ECG Recording
• Venepuncture
• Diabetic blood appointments, including foot checks.
• Learning Disability Health checks
• Assisting with Minor op procedures (coils and implants)
• Act as first point of contact with patients and/or their carers, maintaining oversight of the waiting room.
• To liaise with clinicians over the appropriate prioritisation of patients in the waiting room, utilising recommended early warning scores such as PEWS (Paediatric Early Warning Score) or NEWS2 (National Early Warning Score).
• Able to work under minimal supervision but fully aware when to raise concerns to a registered healthcare professional.
• Recognising changes in patients' observations/condition and reporting them to the nurse in charge/appropriate registered healthcare professional.
• Assisting with patient treatment including patient dressings, chaperone and during any medical emergencies.
• To feedback, report and escalate as appropriate the condition and welfare, including safeguarding, of patients to the appropriate clinician.

About us:

Woodside Medical Practice is based in the heart of Woodside, Telford and provides healthcare services to a patient list of approximately 6,400 patients. You will be joining a supportive team of 2 GP Partners, 4 Salaried GPs, 1 Nurse and a support team consisting of medical administrators and reception staff.

Job responsibilities:

• Assisting nursing staff in caring for an individual's hygiene and physical comfort.
• Dispose of clinical waste in line with health and safety instructions.
• Undertake clinical activities as directed and under the supervision of the Registered Nurse.
• Measure and record routine observations of temperature, pulse, blood pressure, weight, and urinalysis.
• Apply simple dressings to speciality definition.
• Assist with patient mobility using correct equipment and techniques.
• Handle and label specimens safely and correctly.
• Assist patients and chaperone whilst clinical examination/procedures are being undertaken.
• Collect drugs required for the appropriate clinical session, ensuring safe return and storage after clinical session has ended.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Assemble nursing documentation, including all stationery requirements for clinical sessions.
• Use EMIS to check clinic lists, reporting any discrepancies to clerical staff/senior nurse on duty.
• Record demographic details of individuals in manual and computerised records.
• Answer telephone courteously, relay messages accurately and promptly, answer general enquiries by visitors.
• Verbally update the Registered Nurse regarding patients' condition.
• Support communication with patients, relatives or their carers and encourage participation including assisting patients, relatives and carers where there are specific communication difficulties.
• Support distressed patients and relatives.
• Be aware of and support individual, religious, cultural and psychological needs.
• Ensure correct clinical information is displayed, regularly updated and waiting times monitored.
• Check referral letters, results/x-rays/visual field analysis are available for clinical session, and contact relevant departments to obtain information, if not available.
• Direction of patients to relevant areas for investigations, giving written information as required.
• Work without direct supervision offering assistance to student nurses and new members of staff.
• Prepare clinical area and department prior to start of clinics.
• Maintain, monitor and control stock and equipment within the department, reporting any deficit to senior nurse on duty.
• Prepare specific equipment required within the department prior to clinical procedures.
• Assist in protecting patients, visitors and staff from abuse and assist in managing abusive and aggressive behaviour.
• Be responsible for clinical incident reporting according to the Practice's health and safety standards.
• Escort patients to other departments without direct supervision.
• Work to well-established routine/procedures, may participate in discussions on proposed changes.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Experience of working in a healthcare setting.
• Experience of working in primary care.
• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent.
• Experience of working in community care.
• Experience of working in an urgent care setting.

Qualifications:

• GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths.
• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent.

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.