Health Care Assistant (HCA)

Job description

PCN General Practice Assistant (GPA) Primary Care networks are newly formed groups of GP practices working collaboratively to provide enhanced and diverse services to patients. They are evolving and receiving government investment to support their development. This is an exciting time to join PCNs with the range of services and additional roles, only increasing over the next few years. This an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and forward-thinking General Practice Assistant (GPA) to join our multidisciplinary team.

About Us K & W Healthcare is a GP-led organization made up of 27 GP practices serving a registered population of over 200,000 patients across Brent (London). We are committed to improving the care provided to patients, reducing health inequalities, and raising the quality and standards of GP practices. Clinical Pharmacy in General Practice is fundamental in developing a model of care which addresses our ambition to deliver person-centred coordinated care across our member practices. We look forward to receiving applications from forward-thinking, motivated professionals who share the values of K&W Healthcare

Duties:

• Sorting all clinical posts and prioritising for the GP in terms of actions. Signposting some posts to others such as clinical pharmacists etc.

• Extracting all information from clinical letters that needs coding and adding to notes

• Arranging appointments, referrals, tests and follow-up appointments of patients

• Preparing patients prior to going in to see the GP, taking a brief history and basic readings in readiness for the GP appointment.

• Dipping urine, taking blood pressure, ECGs & phlebotomy

• Completing basic (non-opinion) forms and core elements of some forms for the GP to approve and sign such as insurance forms, mortgage, benefits agency forms etc.

• Explaining treatment procedures to patients

• Helping the GP liaise with outside agencies e.g., getting an on-call doctor on the phone to ask for advice or arrange admission while the GP can continue with their consultation(s)

• Support the GP with immunisations/wound care

• Working under the supervision of a doctor as part of a medical team

• Have direct contact with patients, take medical histories, carry out physical examinations, update records

• Make diagnoses, analyze test results, and deliver treatment, support clinical care for people with long-term conditions. Consider prescribing and other necessary clinical interventions

• Work to a professional code of ethics

• Provide varied support and show flexibility in your role

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 performing the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their careers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organization. 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 authorized 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 assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others’ health, safety and security as defined in the

Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

• Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines

• Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks

• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills • Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards

• Reporting potential risks identified GPA Competency Framework 3 Equality and Diversity

• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of people’s 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/ Professional Development:

• Post holder must hold a GP Assistant Certificate qualification

• 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

• Attend all relevant annual updates

• Inform the lead GP of any concerns regarding the GPA role and any professional development needed

• Be aware of your own professional boundaries and what to do when you have reached them

Quality: The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will:

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk

• Work to practice protocols GPA Competency Framework 4

• 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 team’s 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

Be familiar in all mediums of communication such as email, tasks, telephone etc. Communicate effectively with patients and carers

• Recognise people’s needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Communicate effectively to outside agencies

• Communicate clearly with their lead GP 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

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £20,000.00-£26,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Free Parking
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• 8-hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• London: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person