Healthcare Assistant

About the Role

Houghton Close Surgery is looking for a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) to join the practice in this vital patient-facing role with both clinical and administrative responsibilities. The role is offered on a part-time basis, for 12 hours per week ideally on Tuesday and Fridays. Flexibility is required to cover sickness, annual leave and mandatory training as needed.

Main duties of the role will include: 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 The role will offer you the opportunity to build on your experience, skills and competence, requiring you to work effectively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team. About the Candidate 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 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: Qualifications and experience - these are a requirement to be considered for the role: Experience of working within a GP practice. Essential knowledge, skills and experience: 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.

About Us

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. Disclosure and Barring Service Check Please note 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.