Health Care Assistant - GP Practice

To support the practice nursing and administrative teams in the delivery of clinical and administrative services, working as part of the practice multi-disciplinary team, delivering care within their scope of practice to the entitled patient population. The Healthcare Assistant will deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion and patient education while also supporting the administrative team on an as-required basis.

Main duties of the job:

• Undertake new patient health checks
• Support the Practice Nurse with health promotion programmes
• Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature and pulse rate, recording findings accurately
• Facilitate routine and 24-hour BP monitoring, advising patients accordingly
• Support the Practice Nurse with the management of chronic disease clinics
• Extended Access Clinic on Saturday mornings (less than 1 per month)
• Carry out BMI checks as directed
• Act as a chaperone as required
• Undertake venepuncture
• Check Emergency drug box and equipment for expired items and order replacements
• Assist with Chronic Disease Management: Diabetes, COPD, Asthma etc.
• Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation
• Provide support during minor operations as required
• Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session
• Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with extant guidance
• Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the organisation’s IPC policy
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate
• NHS Health Checks
• Mental Health Physical Health Checks
• Learning Disability Physical Health Checks
• Stocking consulting rooms
• Record fridge temperatures and escalate any cold chain breach to the Lead Practice Nurse or Practice Manager
• Ordering stock supplies

About us:

Located in the heart of Forest Hill, South East London, our practice is dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare services to our community. With a team of three partners, four salaried doctors, and four skilled nurses, we are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of our approximately 9,500 patients. Our administration team plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of our practice, supporting both our medical staff and patients with care and efficiency. We pride ourselves on being a caring and considerate employer, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all applicants. At Woolstone Medical Centre, we are committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care and continuously strive to improve the health and well-being of our community.

Job responsibilities:

• Consult with patients and their families to undertake assessments of patient need
• Deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion, long-term condition management and patient education
• Be an integral part of the general practice team
• Provide clinical support to registered nurses and other healthcare professionals within the organisation
• Deliver basic clinical care interventions under supervision, supporting continuity of care and patient safety initiatives
• Act as a chaperone as required
• Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation
• Provide support during minor operations as required
• Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the organisation’s IPC Policy
• Work within national and local protocols where these exist
• Be aware of your duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children
• Recognise the boundaries of their practice and know when and to whom patients should be referred
• Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements
• Support the administrative team on an as-required basis
• Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
• Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance
• Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times
• Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed

Other requirements:

• Occupational Health clearance
• Flexibility to work outside core office hours

Qualifications:

• Has completed the Care Certificate or equivalent qualification and as detailed within CQCs GP mythbuster 57: Health Care Assistants in General Practice

Clinical Knowledge & Skills:

• Able to perform venepuncture
• Ability to undertake patient medicals, including height, weight, BP, pulse and BMI etc.
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to colleagues
• Clinical IT system user skills and the ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Understanding of safeguarding adults and children
• Understand the requirement for PSDs and associated policy
• Ability to undertake vaccinations
• Understanding of the principles of ECGs
• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Chaperone procedure

Experience:

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Understanding of infection prevention and control measures
• Experience of working in a primary care environment
• Ability to follow legal, ethical and clinical policy and procedure
• Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Excellent communication skills and effective in communicating and understanding patient needs
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated
• Good organisational skills
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
• Competent in the use of MS Office and Outlook

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.