Job summary
Are you an enthusiastic and motivated clinical support worker, looking for a new challenge?
Do you have the skills to be part of a unique and established 24 hr service, providing urgent and unscheduled care?
Are you a passionate about supporting patients with a wide range of clinical needs?
If you answered yes, we've got the perfect role for you!
We are looking for an experienced clinical assistant to work as part of the MedOCC clinical team. The job comprises of a variety of clinical skills such as assisting with the rapid review of patients, taking bloods and cannulation, along with non-clinical duties such as daily stick replenishment, equipment care and medication stock checks.
Main duties of the job
To undertake highly skilled assistant support work ( DVT pathway Wells Score, taking blood samples, D Dimer testing, INR tests) and reporting findings to the doctor or nurse.
To observe and assist patients within the department providing first aid and basic life support as required.
To be aware of role in emergency situations and instigate emergency procedures and assistance to senior staff.
Assess for appropriate treatment aids such as crutches and slings, ensuring safe use of equipment by others through teaching and demonstration.
Recognise and alert Clinicians to the unwell patient or deteriorating patient in the waiting room
Supervises junior assistants, students, work place experience students and visitors to the service.
Assess patient condition through basic observations, test results,assess patient comfort.
To assist the medical and nursing staff with day to day treatment of urgent care patients at MedOCC bases.
Ability to visit outlying bases for stock checks and equipment care.
Competencies related to clinical assistance of patients in the urgent care service.
About us
So what else?
1. This is your chance to join a progressive and innovative service in a social enterprise that is patient and staff focused - you'll even have the opportunity to become an MCH shareholder.
2. We encourage staff to get involved in exploring new ways of working and service development.
3. We'll provide well established, in-service training, one to one supervision, and appraisals with regular support.
4. You'll be able to develop your skills in a friendly and supportive team.
Would you like to work flexibly?In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important work life balance is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
The small print
5. Informal visits can be arranged on request.
6. We will offer you the choice of two pension schemes; the NHS Pension scheme and the scottish widows group pension scheme.
7. MCH encourages all staff to be double COVID vaccinated to protect themselves, their colleagues, their family and their patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Communication and relationship skills
Welcomes patients, visitors and relatives to the clinical area, providing assistance, support and
information where required. Being aware of and being able to assist clinicians and reception
staff with overcoming barriers to communication.
Provides direct interpersonal support to vulnerable patients in the department before and after
their period of consultation.
Exchanges factual information with patients using persuasion, reassurance, tact, empathy; may
overcome barriers to understanding eg. where a patient has a physical impairment, mental
health condition or learning disability.
Answers the telephone when necessary in a polite and courteous manner and passes on
enquiries to the administrative and reception team.
Communicates effectively with the medical and nursing team.
Communicates effectively with the operational team and support staff.
Communicates effectively with community teams and other specialist teams as requested by
the medical or nursing staff.
Contributes to the handover of patient information to the clinical team, maintaining
confidentiality at all times.
Communicates effectively with supply chains and equipment maintenance departments to
ensure that essential clinical supplies and equipment are available at all times.
Reports incidents, accidents and complaints to the senior nurse on duty.
Uses the Medway Community Healthcare information system and Adastra system as required.
Able to instruct patients and carers providing direction and guidance on defined treatment
pathways.
To liaise with medical staff, nursing staff and therapists as necessary regarding patient care,
highlighting any concerns while the patient is in the department.
Internal: Operational managers, Medical Lead, Lead Nurse, Senior practitioner, Minor Illness
Practitioners, Session Supervisor, Receptionists Doctors, Drivers, Volunteers, Locum staff.
External: Accident and Emergency Staff, Minor Injuries, Phlebotomy, Ultrasound, X-ray, Ward
Staff, Paramedics, Equipment Testing and Supply Department, Relatives
Attend clinical & Team Meetings
2. Knowledge, training and experience
Good general education to GCSE equivalent
NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience essential
Foundation Degree desirable or willingness to undertake
Substantial experience working as an assistant within the healthcare environment
Experience of documenting and evidencing learning
Understanding of acute and primary healthcare conditions
Good written and verbal communication skills
Good IT skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Awareness of limitations, personal strengths and development
Flexible, reliable, organised
Ability to work on own initiative and to manage own workload
Ability to travel to dispersed sites in a timely manner
Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations and relevant legislation
1. Analytical and judgement skills
To undertake highly skilled assistant support work ( DVT pathway Wells Score, taking blood
samples, D Dimer testing, INR tests) and reporting findings to the doctor or nurse.
To observe and assist patients within the department providing first aid and basic life support as
required.
To be aware of role in emergency situations and instigate emergency procedures and
assistance to senior staff.
Assess for appropriate treatment aids such as crutches and slings, ensuring safe use of
equipment by others through teaching and demonstration.
Recognise and alert Clinicians to the unwell patient or deteriorating patient in the waiting room
Supervises junior assistants, students, work place experience students and visitors to the
service.
Assess patient condition through basic observations, test results,
Assess patient comfort.
2. Planning and organisational skills
Manage and prioritise own workload for stock taking, equipment repair, ordering clinical
supplies.
Prepares clinical rooms for consultation and treatments.
Prepares clinical equipment for daily use.
Proactive in assisting the medical and nursing staff with patient care and specific tests as
determined by the patient pathway and Rapid Review category.
Assists the infection control link with staff training and audit
To accurately and promptly carry out the instructions of the registered nurse or doctor on duty
who is accountable for the delivery of care.
3. Physical skills
To assist the medical and nursing staff with day to day treatment of urgent care patients at
MedOCC bases.
Ability to visit outlying bases for stock checks and equipment care.
Competencies related to clinical assistance of patients in the urgent care service.
Hand eye co-ordination required when using test equipment blood glucose monitors, D
Dimer, INR, venepuncture, manipulating wheelchairs.
Ability to respond urgently to changing situations in workflow and the patients clinical condition.
Daily checks of the resuscitation trolley.
4. Responsibility for patient / client care
To treat patients individually with direct supervision of a doctor or nurse.
Act as chaperone as requested by the doctor or nurse.
To undertake tests and treatments as directed in the urgent care bases.
To maintain patients dignity, privacy and confidentiality at all times.
Care for vulnerable patients attending to personal care, pressure area care and nutritional
needs while under the care of the MedOCC service.
To respond appropriately to clinical emergencies to ensure the patient receives appropriate
response.
Support Rapid Review clinician, recognise and draw attention to the unwell patient in the waiting room.
Ability to perform BSL & MHLS
Assisting the clinician with emergency ILS.
Check drug expiry dates and submit replenishment order requests
5. Responsibility for policy and service development implementation
To adhere to the organisations policies in relation to Health and Safety, including Safeguarding
Vulnerable Adults and Children policies and Infection Prevention and Control Policy.
To comply with organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in
reviewing as appropriate.
Comments on proposed changes to policy or operational processes.
May participate in discussions on proposed changes to procedures.
Assisting with clinical audits, infection control, hand hygiene.
Full JD can be found in the attachments
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
8. oNVQ level 2 in a health or care related subject or equivalent.
9. oUp to date phlebotomy practice and competency.
Desirable
10. oFoundation degree in health and social care.
Expieriance
Essential
11. oExtensive experience of working as an assistant at Band 2/3 or equivalent in a health care related environment.
12. oExperience of undertaking basic clinical observations.
Desirable
13. oStock taking
Disposition
Essential
14. oAbility to work unsocial hours
15. oAbility to work on own initiative
16. oAble to communicate effectively with patients, relatives and members of the team
17. oAbility to demonstrate awareness of privacy dignity and data protection.
MCH Values
Essential
18. Good understanding of MCH values