About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and committed HCA to join our friendly and supportive team at Becontree Medical Centre. Both full-time and part-time opportunities are available
The ideal candidate will be working strictly in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols. The HCA will support the practice clinical team in the provision and delivery of quality health and care services.
The post is a full time position but we may consider part time applicants, shift patterns will be discussed at interview.
This post is for a HCA working in Primary care - not a nursing home or hospital environment, requiring a very different skill set. Please read the job description to ensure that you have the correct skill level for the post.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate must be able to display a basic level of computer literacy including the ability to use emails. Be able to maintain accurate and contemporaneous record keeping of all patient contact using appropriate templates and read coding, including recording QOF data. NVQ level 2 in health & social care is an essential qualification for the post. Should have experience in phlebotomy.
About us
Becontree Medical Centre is a well-established GP Partnership providing high-quality NHS primary care services to over 8500 registered patients within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Our experienced multidisciplinary team includes GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Clinical Pharmacists, First Contact Physiotherapists, Social Prescribers, Care Coordinators and an experienced administrative and management team. Together, we work to deliver safe, effective and patient-centred care.
We are committed to continuous improvement, embracing innovation and developing services that meet the needs of our local community. The practice uses EMIS Web and participates in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), Enhanced Services and Primary Care Network initiatives.
We pride ourselves on maintaining a supportive and inclusive working environment where colleagues are encouraged to develop professionally through regular clinical meetings, continuing professional development and shared learning.
Our practice benefits from modern facilities, free onsite parking and excellent transport links, making it an enjoyable and accessible place to work.
We recognise the importance of work-life balance and are pleased to offer both full-time and part-time opportunities, with working arrangements to be discussed with successful candidates.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job summary
Working under the supervision a Registered Nurse and strictly in accordance with specific practice HCA guidelines and protocols, the post holder will support the practice clinical team in the provision and delivery of quality health and care services.
Duties and responsibilities
No task will be undertaken without full training and assessment.
Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training.
Phlebotomy skills including near patient testing for INR, blood glucose and cholesterol.
Processing of patient samples for despatch to hospital laboratories. This will include body fluids such as urine, faeces and sputum. This will also include urinalysis and the reporting of results to a registered clinician.
Measuring and recording patient blood pressure. Reporting any measurement outside of the norm to the appropriate clinician using the practice Hypertension protocol.
Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions. Ensure clinical treatment rooms are clean and well stocked. Stock ordering may be expected. Comply with national standards for healthcare cleanliness.
Cleaning of touch point surfaces to prevent the spread of Covid 19 throughout the practice.
Long term condition monitoring and NHS Health check screening.
Have a basic level of computer literacy including the ability to use emails.
Accurate and contemporaneous record keeping of all patient contact using appropriate templates and read coding, including recording QOF data and patient self-care advice.
Notifying the GP/ nurse of any significant patient issues.
Liaising with and assisting members of the administrative team.
Act as a Chaperone when requested.
Confidentiality
While seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately
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. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. 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 practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data
Health & safety
The post-holder will implement and lead on a full range of promotion and management of their own and others health and safety and infection control as defined in the practice Health & Safety policy, the practice Health & Safety manual, and the practice National standards for healthcare cleanliness policy and published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to):
Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
Awareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines
Responsible for the correct and safe management of the specimen process including collection, labelling, handling, use of correct and clean containers, storage and transport arrangements
Responsible for personal hand hygiene, correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks across clinical and patient process
Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
Monitoring practice facilities and equipment in relation to infection control, ensuring that provision of hand-cleansing facilities, wipes etc. are sufficient to ensure a good clinical working environment. Lack of facilities to be escalated as appropriate.
Safe management of sharps procedures, including training, use, storage, and disposal
Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy, clean, and safe way, free from hazards. Initiation of remedial / corrective action where needed or escalation to responsible management
Actively identifying, reporting, and correction of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised
Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, sterile where appropriate, identifying issues and hazards / risks in relation to other work areas within the business, and assuming responsibility in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness across the business in consultation (where appropriate) with managers
Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum twice annually)
Waste management, including collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collection
Spillage control procedures
Decontamination control procedures, management and training, and equipment maintenance
Maintenance of sterile environments
Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
Equality and diversity
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers, and colleagues, to include:
Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation
Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers, and colleagues
Behaving in a manner that is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.
Personal/Professional development
The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include:
Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development
Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.
Completion of annual mandatory training modules.
Quality
The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, 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 enhance 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 recognise 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
Contribution to the implementation of services
The post-holder will
- Apply practice policies, standards, and guidance
- Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
- Participate in audit where appropriate
Meetings
It will be necessary to attend and contribute to various practice meetings as requested. The only reason for not attending will be annual, study or sick leave.
NOTE: This job description was accurate at the time of its compilation. However, changes are frequent in general practice and post-holders are expected to be flexible and to agree to reasonable changes from time to time once these have been discussed with the post holder.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualifications
- Essential
- Qualified to NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care
- Care Certificate
- Primary Care Experience
Desirable
- Knowledge & Skills
- Good interpersonal & communications skills
- Experience with using EMIS computer system
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Becontree Medical Centre
Address
Becontree Medical Centre
641-645 Becontree Avenue
Dagenham
Essex
RM8 3HP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
http://www.becontreemedicalcentre.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)