Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical skills health and well-being

To provide high quality patient care and treatment.

Participate in setting standards for care and auditing clinical outcomes.

Promote and participate in maintaining a safe comfortable and therapeutic environment.

Participate in developing strategies and promoting health promotion programmes for patients and carers and facilitate screening clinics.

Take responsibility for the safe storage and administration of drugs and equipment.

Provide nursing care in a variety of settings by holistic assessment, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care as appropriate.

Participate in setting and monitoring standards to ensure effective care ensuring delivery of evidence based practice.

Provide information, advice and support to patients face to face and via the telephone Involvement in team discussions to ensure best practice

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

1. Perform new patient health checks, NHS health checks

2. Assist with the annual LTAR management

3. Assist with QOF system

4. Provide injections in line with competencies

5. Assist with the annual Flu programme

6. Provide home visit for housebound patients

7. 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

Smoking cessation

ECG

Key Responsibilities

Organisational Skills

To maintain accurate records and data using the EMIS computer clinical system

To work as an effective team member and promote a multi-agency collaborative approach to health care

Maintain the established reporting documentation and communication system.

To maintain a call and recall system

To supervise healthcare support workers.

To report and record all clinical incidents.

Communication

Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

Communicate with and support patients receiving bad news.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.

Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimes.

Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication.

Maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with external stakeholders.

Personal and people development

Maintain up-to-date records

Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrate skills to other members of staff when required.

Attend any external training course thought to be appropriate to the role.

Work with management on any new training requirements.

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 HCA.

Team Working

Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify how this may develop over time.

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.

Where involved in delegation of tasks, delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence of those taking on delegated duties.

Ensure clear understanding and utilisation of referral mechanisms within the practice.

Accept delegation from other nurses, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded in own practice.

Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery.

Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care.

Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team.

Maintain close and effective liaison with colleagues.

Provide training opportunities for associated health care staff, as appropriate.

Understand and adhere to any statutory regulations that are required of the practice.

Attend and participate in practice meetings clinical and nurse meetings, whenever possible.

Health, safety and security

Use 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 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 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

1. Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit

2. Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives

3. Maintain the notice board in the waiting room and promote good health with educational material

4. Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets

Delivering a Quality Service

Firsway Health Centre aims to deliver the highest standards of care to its patients at all times. This post will be integral to the delivery of that aim and the appointee will be expected to:

Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.

Deliver care according to the NSF and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines and evidence-based care.

Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation.

Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities.

Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required.

In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care, responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate.

Evaluate the patient response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care.

Support and participate in shared learning across the practice.

Participate in the management and review of patient complaints, and identify learning from clinical incidents and near-miss events using a structured framework.

Participate in the performance monitoring review of the team, providing feedback as appropriate.

Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and local guidance.

Work within policies relating to domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate.

Confidentiality, Equality and Diversity

In the undertaking of the duties outlined above the post-holder will have access to confidential and sensitive information relating to patients, carers and practice staff. This must be kept strictly confidential at all times.

Patients seeking information from the practice do so in confidence and as such have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

Practice policies and procedures relating to the protection of personal and sensitive data must be adhered to at all times and only divulged to authorised persons.

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients in a manner that is consistent with practice policies and legislation.

The privacy, dignity and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues must be respected.

The post-holder should behave in a manner which is welcoming, non-judgmental and respectful of the circumstances and rights of all visitors to the practice.

Job responsibilities

Clinical skills health and well-being

To provide high quality patient care and treatment.

Participate in setting standards for care and auditing clinical outcomes.

Promote and participate in maintaining a safe comfortable and therapeutic environment.

Participate in developing strategies and promoting health promotion programmes for patients and carers and facilitate screening clinics.

Take responsibility for the safe storage and administration of drugs and equipment.

Provide nursing care in a variety of settings by holistic assessment, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care as appropriate.

Participate in setting and monitoring standards to ensure effective care ensuring delivery of evidence based practice.

Provide information, advice and support to patients face to face and via the telephone Involvement in team discussions to ensure best practice

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

1. Perform new patient health checks, NHS health checks

2. Assist with the annual LTAR management

3. Assist with QOF system

4. Provide injections in line with competencies

5. Assist with the annual Flu programme

6. Provide home visit for housebound patients

7. 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

Smoking cessation

ECG

Key Responsibilities

Organisational Skills

To maintain accurate records and data using the EMIS computer clinical system

To work as an effective team member and promote a multi-agency collaborative approach to health care

Maintain the established reporting documentation and communication system.

To maintain a call and recall system

To supervise healthcare support workers.

To report and record all clinical incidents.

Communication

Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

Communicate with and support patients receiving bad news.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.

Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimes.

Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication.

Maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with external stakeholders.

Personal and people development

Maintain up-to-date records

Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrate skills to other members of staff when required.

Attend any external training course thought to be appropriate to the role.

Work with management on any new training requirements.

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 HCA.

Team Working

Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify how this may develop over time.

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.

Where involved in delegation of tasks, delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence of those taking on delegated duties.

Ensure clear understanding and utilisation of referral mechanisms within the practice.

Accept delegation from other nurses, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded in own practice.

Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery.

Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care.

Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team.

Maintain close and effective liaison with colleagues.

Provide training opportunities for associated health care staff, as appropriate.

Understand and adhere to any statutory regulations that are required of the practice.

Attend and participate in practice meetings clinical and nurse meetings, whenever possible.

Health, safety and security

Use 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 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 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

1. Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit

2. Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives

3. Maintain the notice board in the waiting room and promote good health with educational material

4. Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health information leaflets

Delivering a Quality Service

Firsway Health Centre aims to deliver the highest standards of care to its patients at all times. This post will be integral to the delivery of that aim and the appointee will be expected to:

Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.

Deliver care according to the NSF and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines and evidence-based care.

Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation.

Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities.

Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required.

In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care, responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate.

Evaluate the patient response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care.

Support and participate in shared learning across the practice.

Participate in the management and review of patient complaints, and identify learning from clinical incidents and near-miss events using a structured framework.

Participate in the performance monitoring review of the team, providing feedback as appropriate.

Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and local guidance.

Work within policies relating to domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate.

Confidentiality, Equality and Diversity

In the undertaking of the duties outlined above the post-holder will have access to confidential and sensitive information relating to patients, carers and practice staff. This must be kept strictly confidential at all times.

Patients seeking information from the practice do so in confidence and as such have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

Practice policies and procedures relating to the protection of personal and sensitive data must be adhered to at all times and only divulged to authorised persons.

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients in a manner that is consistent with practice policies and legislation.

The privacy, dignity and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues must be respected.

The post-holder should behave in a manner which is welcoming, non-judgmental and respectful of the circumstances and rights of all visitors to the practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent).
• Experience of phlebotomy (blood-taking).
• Previous experience working in hospitals, nursing homes or primary care.

Desirable

• Experience of working with the general public, preferably within a service environment.
• Good administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work.
• Experience of using computers, with good keyboard skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent).
• Experience of phlebotomy (blood-taking).
• Previous experience working in hospitals, nursing homes or primary care.

Desirable

• Experience of working with the general public, preferably within a service environment.
• Good administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work.
• Experience of using computers, with good keyboard skills.

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

Firsway Health Centre

Address

121 Firsway

Sale

Cheshire

M33 4BR

Employer's website

https://www.firswayhealthcentre.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)