Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

The health care assistant will work as part of the primary healthcare team providing Personal Medical Services to the patients of practice.

Job Responsibilities

Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as directed by senior nursing staff and GPs

Wound care / ulcer care/Doppler*

Removal of Sutures

New Patient Medicals/Urinalysis

ECGs

Venepuncture

Blood pressure monitoring

Ear syringing*

Chaperoning and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician

Assisting GPs with minor surgery and coil fittings

Requesting pathology tests, for example urine culture, swabs

Interest in Long Term Medical Conditions and carrying out basic reviews including tasks such as diabetic foot assessments

Following agreed clinical protocols with referral to senior nurses or GPs as appropriate

Maintain and promote Infection Control and prevention standards within the practice

* following verified training and completion of competencies

Other tasks will include:

Chaperoning and assisting patients who are being examined by another clinician.

Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of clinical consultation and treatment rooms

Participation in administrative systems in the Practice

At all times there will be a need to maintain accurate records

A duty to advise senior nurses of potential problems or errors within a range of assigned tasks

Attend and participate in any Practice meetings when required.

On occasion there may be a requirement to undertake home visits

Any other delegated duties appropriate to the post

Confidentiality

In the course of 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 confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons, in accordance with practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data

Health and Safety

The post-holder will be responsible for 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 Infection Control 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

Awareness of the correct and safe management of the specimen process, including collection, labelling, handling, use of correct and clean containers, storage and transport arrangements

Awareness of hand hygiene across the practice

Awareness of infection control and clinically based patient care protocols, and implementation of those protocols across the practice

Awareness of current working practices across the practice in relation to infection control, cleanliness and related activities, ensuring that procedures are followed and weaknesses / training needs are identified, escalating issues as appropriate

Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks across clinical and patient process

Awareness of 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 sterile, 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, 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 other sector managers

Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum twice annually)

Waste management including collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collection

Spillage control procedures, management and training

Decontamination control procedures, management and training, and equipment maintenance

Maintenance of sterile environments

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues by:

Acting in a way that recognizes 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 which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal and Professional development

In addition to maintaining continued education through attendance at any courses and/or study days necessary to ensure that NMC professional development requirements for revalidation are met, 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

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 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 according

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

Safeguarding

The post-holder to be aware of all current safeguarding policies which are available on our TeamNet portal.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Previous experience working as a Health Care Assistant
• Proven phlebotomy skills and recent practice
• Ability to follow protocols and work to clinical standards
• Clear communication skills and ability to work well within a team
• Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks
• IT literate, with a basic understanding of clinical systems
• Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and infection control
• Commitment to providing high-quality, person-centred care

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Health and Social Care
• Experience working in primary care or community health settings
• Training or experience with ECGs
• Familiarity with EMIS Web
• GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths

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

Axbridge & Wedmore Medical Practice

Address

Houlgate Way

Axbridge

Somerset

BS26 2BJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.axbridgeandwedmoremedicalpractice.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Provide medical services for the practice population to a high standard, including day-to-day activities such as surgery consultations, telephone advice, telephone consultations and home visits and appropriate administration to ensure accurate records, patient continuity and quality of care.
• Comply with the requirements of the practices General Medical Services/Personal Medical Services (GMS/PMS) (17c) contract, Enhanced Services contracts, educational/training delivery contracts and private contracts.
• Adhere to the principles of good medical practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered GP on the GMC Specialist Register.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

North Sedgemoor PCN

Address

Axbridge & Wedmore Medical Practice

The Surgery, Houlgate Way,

Axbridge,

Somerset

BS26 2BJ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical:

• Undertake structured medication reviews for patients with complex polypharmacy, long term conditions and frailty.

• Prescribe safely and appropriately within scope of competence.

• Support Enhanced Health in Care Homes, including medicines reviews and participation in ward rounds.

• Reconcile medicines after hospital discharge and support safe transfer of care.

• Provide specialist medicines advice to GPs, nurses, allied health professionals and patients.

• Implement national and local medicines guidance, formulary recommendations and safety alerts (e.g. MHRA).

• Contribute to long term condition management, including optimisation of prescribing for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and respiratory disease.

Medicines optimisation and governance:

• Lead on prescribing safety and quality improvement initiatives across the PCN.

• Contribute to achievement of prescribing elements of the Quality and Outcomes Framework and Enhanced Services.

• Undertake audits and data analysis to identify opportunities for improvement.

• Support the development of prescribing policies, protocols and standard operating procedures.

• Promote cost-effective, evidence-based prescribing across the network.

Multi-disciplinary working:

• Participate in multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings, including those focused on complex patients and care home residents.

• Support case management discussions by providing medicines expertise.

• Work closely with pharmacy technicians and support their development where appropriate.

• Contribute to the training and mentoring of junior pharmacists, students and other staff.

Professional development and supervision:

• Maintain up to date continuing professional development in line with GPhC requirements.

• Participate in peer support, supervision and regular appraisal with the Lead Clinical Pharmacist.

• Engage in learning opportunities within the PCN and wider system.

General responsibilities:

• Work across practices in Burnham on Sea, Berrow, Highbridge, Cheddar and Brent, with travel between sites as required.

• Uphold all PCN and practice policies including confidentiality, information governance, safeguarding, equality and diversity, infection prevention and control and health and safety.

• Contribute to audits, service evaluation and continuous quality improvement.

• Represent the PCN professionally in interactions with patients, staff and partner organisations.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of clinical medication review and managing patients with long term conditions.
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams.

Desirable

• Minimum of two years experience as a pharmacist.
• Experience in primary care or community settings.

Qualifications

Essential

• MPharm degree (or equivalent) and GPhC registration
• Independent Prescriber qualification.

Desirable

• At least 12 months of post-prescribing experience.Completion of the CPPE Primary Care Pathway.
• Postgraduate qualification in clinical pharmacy or related field.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Strong knowledge of medicines optimisation and prescribing safety.
• Ability to interpret and apply national and local guidance to clinical practice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate.
• Competence in IT systems, including clinical systems and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in practice.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes
• Ability to travel routinely across Burnham on Sea, Berrow, Highbridge, Brent, Cheddar and Axbridge
• Right to work in the United Kingdom

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

North Sedgemoor PCN

Address

Axbridge & Wedmore Medical Practice

The Surgery, Houlgate Way,

Axbridge,

Somerset

BS26 2BJ

United Kingdom