Job summary
We are looking for a dedicated and dynamic HCA with a strongteam ethos to join our team to further enhance our nursing. complement.
In Sunderland, we have a vision to develop healthcare thatsfit for the future. Sunderland GPAlliance, a non-for-profit organisation owned by the citys GPs andrepresenting over 250,000 patients, is part of that vision. Over the last few years, we have strived toimprove services for patients and staff, developing and implementing ambulatoryECG, the management of post-bariatric services in the community, decisionmaking and referral support software for GPs, a clinical pharmacy service forthirteen member practices, and post discharge clinics that reduce theadministration burden on surgeries.
Main duties of the job
To work in a supported learning environment to develop the skills andknowledge required for a Healthcare role in General Practice.
To develop skills to assist medical and nursing staff in the care ofpractice patients to include treatment, preventive care, screening and patienteducation. The post will include administrative duties as part of the role.
Working under the indirect supervision of a qualified nurse and strictlyin accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols, undertake tasksand duties delegated by the General Practitioner or qualified nurse.
To provide nursing treatments to patients independently or inparticipation with nurse colleagues and general practitioners with reference toagreed protocols and guidelines.
To provide general and specific health screenings to the practicepatients (within agreed protocols and guidelines) with referral to generalpractitioners or other health professionals as necessary
About us
Sunderland GP Alliance began in 2015 and as a limited company we have grown to over 200 employees today. We are innovative in responding to the changing needs of a 21st century health care system. With a not-for-profit ethos people are at the heart of everything we do. Whether it is a patient being seen at one of our GP practices or out of hours service, or the people at the heart of the Alliance who make it a great friendly place to work. We want people to realise their potential inside and outside of work which is why we support your development and offer 33 days holiday plus bank holidays.
Sunderland GP Alliance Medical Practice is one Practice which operates over 4 sites (Galleries, Barmston, Silksworth and South Hylton). We pride ourselves in providing a supportive and motivating environment for our staff and believe that getting our work-life balance right, creates a happy, healthy and creative team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
To work in a supported learning environment todevelop the skills and knowledge required for a Healthcare role in GeneralPractice.
To develop skills to assist medical and nursingstaff in the care of practice patients to include treatment, preventive care,screening and patient education. Thepost will include administrative duties as part of the role.
Working under the indirect supervision of aqualified nurse and strictly in accordance with specific practice guidelinesand protocols, undertake tasks and duties delegated by the General Practitioneror qualified nurse.
To attend the relevant courses and study daysrequired to fulfil the role.
To gain knowledge and skills whilst workingalongside an experienced nurse mentor
To provide nursing treatments to patientsindependently or in participation with nurse colleagues and generalpractitioners with reference to agreed protocols and guidelines.
To provide general and specific health screenings to the practicepatients (within agreed protocols and guidelines) with referral to generalpractitioners or other health professionals as necessary
Clinical Practice
To provide phlebotomy as required in accordance to training and procedure
To take ear, throat andskin swabs as directed by the practice nurse or GP
To take physiologicalmeasurements for patients including blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm,temperature, height and weight (body mass index), visual acuity, urinalysis andECG in the surgery and or at home (if required)
Undertake new patienthealth checks, peak flow measurement, spirometry, suture and clip removal (asper practice policy) change simple dressings and carry out other tasks forwhich you have received appropriate training.
To fit 24 hours BP machineas directed and in accordance with training and procedure
To provide adultimmunisations such as Flu Pneumonia Vit B12 in accordance to training andprocedure
Assist as per practicepolicy GPs undertaking minor surgery
Prepare and maintainenvironments and equipment before,during and after patient interventions
Clearing and restocking ofconsulting/treatment rooms, including timely order of stock items under yourcontrol
Assist in raisingawareness of health and well-being by participating in patient health promotion
Give accurate and appropriate information within own competence
Ensure that anomalies are reported to a senior member ofthe clinical team
Notify the practice nurseor GP of any significant patient issues
Communication
Demonstrate sensitive communication styles toensure patients are fully informed, understand and consent to treatment andintervention
Communicate sensitively and support patients whohave received bad news
Communicate effectively with patients and carers,recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcomedifferent levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways ofcommunicating
Anticipate barriers to communication and takeaction to improve communication
Establish and maintain effective and timelycommunication with individuals and groups within the practice environment andwith external stakeholders
Act as an advocate when representing patients andcolleagues
Delivering a Quality Service
Recognise and work within own competence
Prioritise,organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotesquality
Work withthe team to deliver care according to NICE guidelines, evidence-based care andlocal policy
Assesseffectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, shared learningand formal evaluation including annual appraisal and revalidation
Be awareof NHS policies and initiatives relevant to areas of practice and work with thepractice team to respond to these and develop patient services
Engage inthe use of the audit cycle and patient feedback mechanisms as a means ofevaluating the quality of the work of self and the team
Understandresponsibilities and legal requirements relating to confidentiality and dataprotection; these are outlined in the practice policy on confidentiality and mustbe adhered to at all times
Be awareof Duty of Candour and appropriate behaviours regarding this within thepractice
Understandand apply policies that support the identification of vulnerable children andadults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedures andlocal guidance on Safeguarding
Workwithin policies regarding domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuseand addictive behaviour
Manage andassess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures arein place to protect staff and patients
Monitorwork areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards andconform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures andguidelines
Leadership, Development and Training
Takeresponsibility for own development and performance; assessing own learningneeds and undertake learning as appropriate
Makeeffective use of learning opportunities within and outside the workplace,evaluating their effectiveness and feeding back relevant information to thewider practice team
Participatein planning and implementing changes within the areas of care andresponsibility
Provide aneducational role to patients, carers and families
Ensureawareness of sources of support and guidance and provide information in anacceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referringwhere appropriate.
Undertakemandatory and statutory training requirements
Promotethe role of the HCA in the provision of care
Team Working
Understandown role and scope, and identify how this may develop over time
Work as aneffective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring themechanisms to develop new ways of working
Ensureclear referral mechanisms are in place to meet patient need
Participatein team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care
Participatein and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team
Utilising Information and IT Systems
Usetechnology as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring,presenting and communicating information (EMISWEB, NHS Mail and local intranetsystem)
Review andprocess data using accurate Read codes and local templates to ensure easy andaccurate retrieval for monitoring and audit processes
Manageinformation searches using the internet and local library databases, forexample, the retrieval of relevant information for patients on their condition
Understandthe responsibility of self and others regarding the Data Protection Act andconfidentiality
Equality and Diversity
Promote equality and diversity in anon-discriminatory culture
Support people who need assistance in exercisingtheir rights
Accept the rights of individuals to choose theircare providers, participate in care and refuse care
Assist patients from marginalised groups to accessquality care
Confidentiality
In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.
Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Alliance may only be divulged to authorized persons in accordance with the Alliances policies and procedures relating to confidentiality, and the protection of personal and sensitive data.
Health & Safety
The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Alliances Health & Safety Policy to include:
Identifying the risk involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks.
Ensuring that all accidents or dangerous accidents are reported and investigated and follow up action taken where necessary.
Quality
The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Alliance, and will:
Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.
Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.
Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhanced the teams performance.
Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs.
Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.
Communication
The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:
Communicate effectively with other team members.
Communicate effectively with patients and carers.
Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. NVQ 2 in Healthcare or Health associated equivalent qualification
2. Literacy and Numeracy Grade C or above
3. Relevant qualification in venepuncture
Desirable
4. NVQ 3 in Healthcare Care Certificate
5. Immunisations certificate
6. NHS Health Check Training
7. Ear Irrigation Training
8. Smoking Cessation Training
Experience
Essential
9. Experience of working in a healthcare setting
10. Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to maintain clear, concise records
11. IT skills Microsoft based
Desirable
12. Experience of working as a HCA in a primary care environment
13. Working with EMIS
Motivation and Skills
Essential
14. Effective time management
15. Reliable
16. Ability to work as part of a team and autonomously
17. Ability to follow clinical policies and procedures
18. Caring and compassionate approach to patient care
19. Ability to work flexibly
Other
Essential
20. Disclosure Barring Service Check
Desirable
21. Car driver with appropriate license