Healthcare Assistant

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

To welcome patients and obtain relevant personal and clinical details as appropriate treating all such information as confidential.

Following training, and once signed off as competent, to act as a chaperone and assist nurses/doctors to undertake intimate examinations/procedures and or sexual health screening on patients.

To provide information to patients as appropriate who attend the department and to those who are diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection/HIV or require contraception advice, risk reduction advice and condom demonstration.

Where local services require and following training and sign off, provide a service for asymptomatic patients requesting a routine sexual health screen.

Following training, provide a phlebotomy service for patients attending the services.

To support and direct patients to the relevant individuals/agencies whilst accessing health care.

To participate in outreach and support health promotion events when requested.

To undertake in annual appraisal of work, one to ones, and clinical supervision throughout the year.

To be non-judgemental to all client groups regardless of age/ethnicity/religion.

To assist in the updating of clinic noticeboards. 

To undertake non-clinical duties in support of the admin team, for example undertake call taking and reception cover including 0300 number answering, registering patients and booking, support data collection and or general patient and non-patient administration.

Following training, register and issue C-card and condoms.

Following training, undertake, read and interpret microscopy slides as directed by clinicians and appropriately document and communicate the associated findings, if required by the clinical service.

Following training and being deemed competent to do so, to administer prescribed vaccines in accordance with service guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures, if required by the clinical service.

Hold the Care Certificate and deliver the associated standards of care or undertake the training at the earliest opportunity upon recruitment to post. 

Communication 

Communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team in order to promote efficient patient care.

Be conversant with the roles of all the staff within the service and occasionally with other colleagues internal or external to the organisation.  

Always ensure correct storage of patient’s records as per the Trusts record keeping policy.

Liaise with other services as necessary for the co-ordination of patient care and the smooth running of the department.

Welcome visitors and patients to the clinical area providing assistance, support and information where required.

Maintain good communication with other staff, patients and visitors including front of house/reception and answering the telephone in a courteous and professional manner.

Ensure accurate record keeping in line with Trust and national standards.

Monitor and reassure patients during clinical procedures. 

Actively participate in multidisciplinary training, meetings, and events.

Signpost clients to other services where appropriate.

Within remit of own role, support the teaching and supervision of students from a variety of disciplines.

Ensure that all organisational wide communication is accessed and adhered to accordingly via the nhs.net account. 

Budgetary Responsibility 

To assist in maintaining stock (drugs/clinical supplies) levels, always adhering to EEC Medicines Management Policy, identifying and reporting any discrepancies to line manager after appropriate training.

Assist with or undertake stock control and ordering as required.

People Management

Within remit of own role, assist in providing training and support for new members of staff. 

Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in annual appraisals and one to ones. 

Be prepared to attend and undertake any necessary training, being aware of the need to develop self and to strive to increase personal knowledge.

Undertake any training identified by the Clinic Manager integral to the role requirements and specialty area.

Recognise limitations and seek direction when necessary.

Contribute to the development of patient care and setting standards.

The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required.

Clinical and Practice Governance

Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act

The post holder must adhere to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.

The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.

The post holder must adhere to infection prevention and control policies and procedures. 

Identify and refer to senior colleagues any young and/or vulnerable people complying with East of England Community Health & Care NHS Trust (EEC) safeguarding policies. 

The post holder must undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by EEC NHS Trust. 

Participate in clinical and other audits as requested with guidance from senior members of the team. 

The post holder must participate in clinical supervision. 

The postholder must participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.

Prepare clinic rooms prior to commencement of clinic sessions by ensuring the relevant equipment/supplies are available and restocked. Undertake tidying and general housekeeping duties within the clinics.

Following training and signed off as competent, perform identified tests for patients.

To ensure that all laboratory specimens are correctly labelled, bagged and dispatched to the appropriate laboratory. 

Undertake, read and interpret microscopy slides as directed by clinicians and appropriately document and communicate the associated findings, if required by the clinical service. 

Have a clear understanding of personal accountability and level of responsibility and refer issues outside own competencies/level of knowledge to an appropriate member of the team.

To ensure attendance at all relevant meetings, if on shift and available. 

Attend/complete mandatory training in accordance with EEC policy. 

Direct and escort patients and visitors around the clinic and signpost to other services. 

Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe-keeping of patient’s property in accordance with Trust policies.

General

The post holder must at all times, carry out his/her duties with regard to EEC NHS Trust Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

To be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff.

All post holders must adhere to the code of conduct on confidentiality and be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust. 

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure of Barring Service to be made to check for any previous criminal convictions. EEC NHS Trust is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users in line with its equal opportunities policy and policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.

Safeguarding people responsibility

Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility.
There is an expectation that all staff develop and maintain their role relevant safeguarding people competencies and comply with local safeguarding partnerships practice. Alongside this employee who are registrants are reminded of their professional duty of care.
Safeguarding means protecting a citizen’s health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is an integral part of providing high-quality health care.
Those most in need of protection include:
•    Children and young people
•    Adults at risk, such as those receiving care in their own home, people with physical, sensory and mental impairments, and those with learning disabilities.