Level 3 - Job description for a senior health care assistant in general practice

Purpose: To assist the GPs and practice nurse team in the service and delivery of the care management of the practice population
Responsible to: Senior practice nurse, practice manager and, ultimately, the GP Partners
Agenda for Change (AfC) banding: 3

Job Summary

The post holder works under indirect supervision of the practice nurse team leader and undertakes task and duties delegated by the practice nurse team leader or a suitably qualified regulated professional. They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and procedures while providing supervision to more junior staff.

Key responsibilities

Communication

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication
Undertake effective communication with patients in specific clinical situations
Communicate effectively with other team members

Personal and people development

Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, including participating in supervision
Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development
Work with the practice to access appropriate training based on identified need
To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary health care team
Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of a senior HCA (Band3)
Be familiar with the changing structures of health care provision relevant to general practice

Health, safety and security

Use and encourage others to be familiar with the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks
Use and encourage others to adopt appropriate infection control procedures and maintain work areas in each clinical room so that they are clean, safe and free from hazards reporting of any potential risks identified, including:

hand washing
universal hygiene procedures
collection and handling of laboratory specimens
segregation and disposal of waste materials
decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment
reporting and treatment of sharps injuries
dealing with blood and body fluid spillages
Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures

Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain
Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility
Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate
Be aware of statutory child health procedures, and statutory local guidance and referral criteria
Know the health and safety policies and procedures within the workplace, including fire procedures, maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintaining of equipment and furniture within your area of responsibility
Use the computer monitor safely
Be able to identify the risks to health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the working environment according to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

Service improvement

Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit
Contribute to the preparation of local guidelines, protocols and standards
Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives
Maintain the notice board in the waiting room and promote good health with educational material
Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets
Be aware of current approaches, including research, to the management of patient care within general practice

Quality

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients
Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems
Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care
Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the team
Ensure stock items under your control are ordered and available in the treatment and consulting rooms
Know how clinical governance affects the HCA role and bring to the attention of more senior staff any specific risk situation
Know the practice's policies in this respect, especially the whistle-blowing policy - available in the practice staff handbook
Be able to manage your own time effectively
Give and receive feedback professionally and defuse situations using problem resolution skills to reduce potential for formal complaints

Equality and diversity

Ensure own actions support equality, diversity and rights
Act in ways that recognise the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures
Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients and carers
Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour
Act as a chaperone

Clinical skills – health and well-being

Undertake, record and follow guidelines for the tasks for which you have received appropriate training:
Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for investigation by the pathology laboratory
Measuring and recording following physiological measurements in routine presentations:

blood pressure
pulse rate and rhythm
temperature
height and weight - body mass index
visual acuity
venepuncture
ECG
glucose tolerance test
peak flow readings
inhaler technique
spirometry

Support and monitor patients during nebulisation therapy
Undertake spirometry under indirect supervision
Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions
Assist regulated professional while patients undergoing minor surgery
Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being, and how it can be promoted
Give accurate and appropriate information to patients and groups within own competence
Undertake simple dressing procedures following local recommendations and using aseptic techniques
Where appropriate, provide support and encouragement to self manage their conditions
Have a basic understanding of long term conditions including diagnostic interventions, treatments, and the principles of care and self management
Plan, develop and implement health promotion activities as appropriate e.g. smoking, exercise and diet
Assess patients readiness to change and provide motivational support as appropriate in cases of smoking, obesity and healthy living for older people
To administer the influenza and pneumococcal vaccine under indirect supervision of a regulated professional
To gain the underpinning knowledge and practical skills to administer basic life support or adrenaline if necessary

Information processes

Record information and activities undertaken with patients and carers in an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems as appropriate
Inputs accurate Read codes about patients to ensure accurate retrieval of information for monitoring and auditing processes
Maintain confidentiality or information relating to patients, relatives, staff and the practice
Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information

Person specification

Attributes	Essential	Desirable	How identified
Qualifications and training	Literacy and numeracy skills NVQ Level 3 or working towards this or equivalent qualification	HCA course specific to general practice Up to date basic life support training ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence)	Application form Interview Certificates
Knowledge and skills	Demonstrates an understanding of the role of the health care assistant Clinical skills and competency relevant to the role e.g. Phlebotomy experience Standard keyboard skills Able to make judgements where there is more than a straightforward choice of options, e.g. new patient health checks, urinalysis etc. Understand issues regarding accountability and delegation	Following appropriate education and training has the ability to undertake the administration of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine	Application form Interview References
Experience	2 years previous experience working in a general practice or other healthcare environment Experience working under indirect supervision		Application form Interview
Personal qualities	Demonstrates motivation, reliability and commitment to team working and the development of others Flexible, reliable and responsive to change Demonstrates an ability to value the opinions of others Demonstrates high level of self awareness, i.e. strengths and weaknesses, personal qualities and skills Willingness to undergo education/ training for both practice and service needs Willingness to work towards professional and performance objectives (appraisal)		Application form Interview References
Physical skills	Manual dexterity and manipulation skills Ability to handle simple medical equipment e.g. ECG machine Ability to assist others with the delivery of care e.g. assisting in minor surgery Fitness to do the job within manual-handing policy		Application form Interview
Mental and emotional effort	Concentration required daily, e.g. Ability to deal with occasional exposure to distressing circumstances or emotional events Ability to cope with occasional exposure to aggressive behaviour Ability to work with competing priorities Ability to deal tactfully and empathetically with distressed or anxious patients and carers		Interview
Working conditions	Personal physical contact with patients Ability to work with high patient turnover and a pressurised environment on a daily basis Must be able to travel between sites and undertake occasional home visits		Application form Interview
Communication and verbal skills	Able to communicate routine information that requires tact and persuasive skills, or where there may be barriers to understanding Ability to communicate effectively via telephone or group discussion Good interpersonal skills Proven customer care skills		Interview
Management and supervision skills	Ability to mentor new HCAs or junior staff to the working environment		Interview
Responsibility for financial and physical resources	Participate in the care of equipment Ability to use resources effectively Undertake stock control		Interview
Other requirement	Must either be Hepatitis B immune or be willing to undergo an immunisation course		Occupational Health Assessment