Job Description

In Sunderland, we have a vision to develop healthcare that's fit for the future. Sunderland GP Alliance, a non-for-profit organisation owned by the city's GPs and representing over 250,000 patients, is part of that vision. Over the last few years, we have strived to improve services for patients and staff, developing and implementing ambulatory ECG, the management of post-bariatric services in the community, decision making and referral support software for GPs, a clinical pharmacy service for thirteen member practices, and post discharge clinics that reduce the administration burden on surgeries.

We are looking for a dedicated and dynamic HCA with a strong team ethos to join our team to further enhance our nursing complement.

Sunderland GP Alliance Medical Practice is one Practice which operates over 4 sites (Galleries, Barmston, Silksworth and South Hylton). We pride ourselves in providing a supportive and motivating environment for our staff and believe that getting our work-life balance right, creates a happy, healthy and creative team

We use EMISWEB as our clinical information system.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To work in a supported learning environment to develop the skills and knowledge required for a Healthcare role in General Practice.

To develop skills to assist medical and nursing staff in the care of practice patients to include treatment, preventive care, screening and patient education. The post will include administrative duties as part of the role.

Working under the indirect supervision of a qualified nurse and strictly in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols, undertake tasks and duties delegated by the General Practitioner or qualified nurse.

To attend the relevant courses and study days required to fulfil the role.

To gain knowledge and skills whilst working alongside an experienced nurse mentor

To provide nursing treatments to patients independently or in participation with nurse colleagues and general practitioners with reference to agreed protocols and guidelines.

To provide general and specific health screenings to the practice patients (within agreed protocols and guidelines) with referral to general practitioners or other health professionals as necessary

Clinical Practice

To provide phlebotomy as required in accordance to training and procedure

To take ear, throat and skin swabs as directed by the practice nurse or GP

To take physiological measurements for patients including blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm, temperature, height and weight (body mass index), visual acuity, urinalysis and ECG in the surgery and or at home (if required)

Undertake new patient health checks, peak flow measurement, spirometry, FeNO assessment, suture and clip removal (as per practice policy) change simple dressings and carry out other tasks for which you have received appropriate training.

To fit 24 hours BP machine as directed and in accordance with training and procedure

To provide adult immunisations such as Flu Pneumonia Vit B12 in accordance to training and procedure

Assist as per practice policy GPs undertaking minor surgery

Prepare and maintain environments and equipment before, during and after patient interventions

Clearing and restocking of consulting/treatment rooms, including timely order of stock items under your control

Assist in raising awareness of health and well-being by participating in patient health promotion

Give accurate and appropriate information within own competence

Ensure that anomalies are reported to a senior member of the clinical team

Notify the Practice nurse or GP of any significant patient issues

Communication

Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed, understand and consent to treatment and intervention

Communicate sensitively and support patients who have received '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

Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication

Establish and maintain effective and timely communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with external stakeholders

Act as an advocate when representing patients and colleagues

Delivering A Quality Service

Recognise and work within own competence

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

Work with the team to deliver care according to NICE guidelines, evidence-based care and local policy

Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, shared learning and formal evaluation including annual appraisal and revalidation

Be aware of NHS policies and initiatives relevant to areas of practice and work with the practice team to respond to these and develop patient services

Engage in the use of the audit cycle and patient feedback mechanisms as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team

Understand responsibilities and legal requirements relating to confidentiality and data protection; these are outlined in the practice policy on confidentiality and must be adhered to at all times

Be aware of Duty of Candour and appropriate behaviours regarding this within the practice

Understand and apply policies that support the identification of vulnerable children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedures and local guidance on Safeguarding

Work within policies regarding domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour

Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients

Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines

LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

Take responsibility for own development and performance; assessing own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate

Make effective use of learning opportunities within and outside the workplace, evaluating their effectiveness and feeding back relevant information to the wider practice team

Participate in planning and implementing changes within the areas of care and responsibility

Provide an educational role to patients, carers and families

Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate.

Undertake mandatory and statutory training requirements

Promote the role of the HCA in the provision of care

TEAM WORKING

Understand own role and scope, 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

Ensure clear referral mechanisms are in place to meet patient need

Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care

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

UTILISING INFORMATION AND IT SYSTEMS

Use technology as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring, presenting and communicating information (EMISWEB, NHS Mail and local intranet system)

Review and process data using accurate Read codes and local templates to ensure easy and accurate retrieval for monitoring and audit processes

Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases, for example, the retrieval of relevant information for patients on their condition

Understand the responsibility of self and others regarding the Data Protection Act and confidentiality

Confidentiality

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. 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 Alliance may only be divulged to authorized persons in accordance with the Alliance's 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 Alliance's Health & Safety Policy to include:

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

Ensuring that all accidents or dangerous accidents are reported and investigated and follow up action taken where necessary.

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the quality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues to include:

Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with 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-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights.

Quality

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Alliance, 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 enhanced 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 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 people's needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 25,646.01 per year

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

Cycle to work scheme
Work Location: In person