Download 1 - Cairn Medical Practice

1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title: Health Care Assistant Level 1
Department(s):
Job Reference:
Name of Job Holder(s):
Job Description Updated 16/08/2012
2.
ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
GP
partners
Executive
Manager
Clinical
Management
Lead PN
Practice
Manager
Practice
Nurses
HCAs
Admin
Team
2. JOB PURPOSE
1. To be part of the primary healthcare team providing high-quality and forward thinking
nursing care to meet the holistic healthcare needs of a practice population.
2. To work to agreed practice standards and protocols.
3. To record patient information
4. To provide basic patient care
3. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
The Health Care Assistant is accountable to the Practice Nursing Team, Management Team and
GP partners. Practice nurses are responsible for the day-to-day management and supervision of
the Health Care Assistant.
4. SCOPE AND RANGE
This post involves health care assistant duties including patient testing, health monitoring and nGMS
contract. The practice covers a population of 9,800 patients, has 12 GPs, 3 practice nurses and 1.3
WTE health care assistants. The management and admin team comprises 13 staff. The number of
patient appointments per week is around 900. The practice nursing team work closely with the
community nursing teams and participate in the training of nursing, medical students, GP Registrars,
practice nurse students and FY1/FY2 Doctors.
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities
1. To work as part of the practice nursing team
2. To undertake the following tasks and procedures on completion of satisfactory training and
supervision:
 Venepuncture
 ECG recording
 blood pressure monitoring
 blood glucose monitoring
 urinalysis testing
 take, package and send samples to the lab. This will include use of centrifuge and safe
storage/sending of samples.
 routine health measurements e.g. height, weight, BMI
 Ordering vaccines
 Ordering nursing supplies
 Peak flow measurement
 [Spirometry]
 [Ear irrigation]
 Removal of stitches
 [Basic wound care]
 [Influenza Vaccinations]
 Smoking cessation
 Restocking of clinical area
 Health promotion
 Stocking and ordering of Health promotion leaflets + supporting campaigns
 Infection control
 Act as chaperone
 Call and recall systems
 Supporting practices nurses
3. To assist with the preparation and maintenance of clinic rooms, this would include the sterilisation
of instruments.
4. To participate in the ordering, monitoring and maintenance of stock and equipment.
5. Maintenance and re-stocking of doctors emergency bags
6. To maintain accurate manual and electronic records of patient care in line with practice policy.
7. To participate as part of the health care team, referring back to the senior nurse as appropriate.
8. To report to trained nursing staff any changes in the patient’s condition.
9. Ensure strict confidentiality in the care of all patients in accordance with local and NMC policies
and Data Protection Act.
10. To participate in performance appraisal and development process, identify own learning needs
and participate in study opportunities.
11. To act in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work regulations and comply with Health and
Safety policy.
12. User of clinical computer system, email and internet and other routine tasks
13. Communication with colleagues in the practice team and with external agencies
14. Contributing to the organisation and development of the practice team
The above list is not exhaustive and may vary with the requirements of the service.
6. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
1. Sphygs & automatic BP monitors
2. Scales
3. Height measure
4. Thermometer
5. ECG machine
6. Glucose meters
7. Spirometer
8. Nebulisers
9. Centrifuge
10. Ear syringe
11. (Steriliser)
12. Telephone system
13. Computers – clinical system, Microsoft word, outlook, internet explorer
14. Fax machine
15. Photocopier
Records – all staff contribute to management of clinical computer records and patient medical
record. Maintain records for INR and Rheumatoid Drug monitoring.
7. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
Freedom to act – carries out routine nursing care supervised by qualified practice nurses; instructed
on patient care programme by practice nurses.
Analytical & judgement skills - makes judgements on when to report patient condition in
accordance with protocol/practice nurse instructions. Decides which patient to respond to first.
Planning and organisational skills – organises own day-to-day tasks within a duty rota; prioritise
tasks.
Responsibility for patient/client care – undertakes routine nursing care duties including
venepuncture, BP monitoring, ECG recording. Records clinical consultation in records and computer
system. Responsible for testing samples as directed by GPs/nurses and in accordance with protocol.
Responsibility for policy/service development – follows policies in own role. Participates in
discussion on proposed changes.
Responsibility for financial and physical resources – maintain stock levels; use resources
appropriately; care of equipment; monitors equipment lent to patients e.g. BP machines, nebulisers.
No budget responsibility.
Responsibility for human resources – demonstrates duties to new starters.
Responsibility for information resources – records personally generated clinical observations, test
or research results. Complete clinical computer record for all consultations.
Responsibility for research and development – undertakes surveys or audits as necessary to
practice team. Provides support to research projects if required.
8. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Communication with – patients, practice nurses, GPs, community nurses, hospital nurses, pharmacist,
social work, consultants, visitors, work colleagues in other departments
Communication and relationship skills – Communicate information on patients; reassure patients.
Little or no exposure to distressing circumstances/Occasional exposure to emotional or distressing
circumstances. Dealing with social deprivation.
9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Combination of sitting, standing and walking/frequent requirement for light physical effort for several
short periods. Operating medical equipment e.g. BP machine, scales, height measure, ECG machine.
10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PART OF THE JOB
Mental effort – work pattern is relatively predictable. Occasional additions to consultation list.
Concentration for many areas of the work, including implementing care plans, taking and recording
tests.
Working conditions – frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions; occasional exposure to
highly unpleasant working conditions/frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions.
Exposure to body smells daily/exposure to body fluids, infectious material weekly/exposure to body
fluids, infectious material every day. Ability to cope with occasional exposure to aggressive behaviour.
11. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
Understanding of a range of procedures requiring a base level of theoretical knowledge; SVQ3/Primary
Health Care Assistant Certificate or equivalent ; training or experience of health centre including
venepuncture, BP measurement, sample testing, ECG tests.
12. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Date:
Employee Signature:
Head of Department Signature:
Date
Attributes
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
Good standard of general
education
Willing to work towards
SVQ level 3/Primary
Health Care Assistant
Certificate or equivalent
Demonstrates an
understanding of the role
of the health care
assistant
Willing to develop clinical
skills and competency
relevant to the role
Care and concern for
patients
Demonstrates self
awareness i.e. strengths
and weaknesses,
personal qualities and
skills
Able to communicate
routine information that
requires tact and
persuasive skills, or
where there may be
barriers to understanding
Keyboard skills
Able to make judgements
where there is more than
a straightforward choice
of options e.g. new
patient health checks,
urinalysis etc.
Able to organise own
time and workload, and
cope with occasional lastminute changes
Willingness to undergo
education/training for
both practice and service
needs
Willingness to work
towards professional and
performance objectives
(appraisal)
Demonstrates motivation,
reliability and
SVQ level 3/Primary
Health Care Assistant
Certificate or equivalent
Special
knowledge/competencies
Practical and intellectual
skills
Informed judgements
Planning and
organisational skills
Training and education
Disposition/personal
How
identified
Application
form
Interview
Application
form
Interview
Application
form
Interview
Application
form
Professional
portfolio
Physical effort/skills
Mental and emotional
effort
commitment to team
working and the
development of others
Flexibility, commitment
and adaptability
Demonstrates an ability
to value the opinions of
others
Ability to contribute to the
development of the
practice team
Fitness to do the job
Ability to work within
manual-handling policy
Ability to handle simple
medical equipment and
undertake venepuncture
(dexterity and
manipulation skills)
Frequent requirements
for light physical effort for
short periods
Must either be Hepatitis B
immune or be willing to
undergo an immunisation
course
Concentration required
daily e.g. venepuncture
clinics
Ability to deal with
occasional exposure to
distressing circumstances
or emotional events
Ability to cope with
occasional exposure to
aggressive behaviour
Ability to cope with
exposure to body smells
and body fluids