Healthcare Assistant

• Provide wound care assessment and treatment within sphere of competence and with supervision of practice nurses where necessary.
• Perform venepuncture.
• Perform health checks to patients identified by the practice.
• Perform ECGs, BP readings and urine testing.
• Deliver ear care to patients within current guidelines.
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion including smoking, diet, exercise and sexual health.
• Participate in annual influenza vaccination programme, administering the vaccine to adults under patient specific direction (PSDs) as directed by the lead GP.
• Assist clinicians in minor surgery/procedures including coil fits.
• Prioritise workload and intervene appropriately to treat emergency situations.
• Apply infection control measures in accordance with local and national guidelines
• Ensure stock levels of medical supplies and drugs are rotated and maintained to agreed levels.
• Document data on computer system using READ codes to ensure accurate retrieval of information for monitoring and audit purposes.
• Document all telephone and surgery consultations according to practice policy.
• Ordering of all medical supplies and maintains stock control.

If you would like to find out more information about this role, please see the attached job specification.

Houghton Close Surgery is a semi-rural, GMS dispensing practice in mid-Bedfordshire with approximately 11,700 patients. Housed in a large, modern, purpose-built surgery, we are a cohesive, hard-working and friendly team providing high-quality care to our patients and a supportive working environment for our staff. We are a forward-thinking training practice, supporting both GP registrars and Cambridge medical students.

The practice consists of six partners, two salaried GPs, registrars, a practice manager, nursing, dispensary and administrative teams. We also benefit from a full complement of PCN staff including a clinical pharmacy team, advanced nurse practitioner, GP assistant and physician associate.

Our aim is to provide excellent clinical care that is available, accessible and efficient. We recognise the importance of teamwork in achieving this goal and are committed to supporting the wellbeing, development and job satisfaction of our staff.

The healthcare assistant role within general practice can be very different to the role within other settings and as such we are looking for applications from only those with previous primary care experience. All applicants should ensure that they live within reasonable commuting distance. All applicants should have the following skills and qualifications::

Essential: - To be considered for the role you must have experience of working within a GP practice.; - Strong clinical skills including recording ECGs, blood pressure and basic wound care.; - Excellent patient-facing communication and interpersonal skills.; - Confidential manner with a compassionate and respectful approach, placing a high value on the dignity of patients, relatives, carers and colleagues.; - Ability to work independently, determining own workload priorities, as well as working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.; - Strong organisational and time management skills.