Health Care Assistant

We are recruiting for a Health Care Assistant to join the Mental Health Services team.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Job description

To work alongside members of the GP practices and PCMHS team to provide patient care (including health and social support)

To undertake and record physical health checks including the following:

Measurement of height and weight

Measurement of blood pressure, temperature and pulse, pulse oximeter

Venepuncture

Blood glucose testing

To recognise and observe changes in patients physical, mental health and behaviour which must be reported, recorded and acted on.

To provide necessary support to people who use primary care services to help them maintain their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Work effectively and flexibly as part of a wider PCMHS team across East Kent.

To be aware of and work to the principles of the Mental Health Act (MHA).

Able to interact with patients and colleagues in a professional manner as well as create and maintain professional relationships with external organisations.

To act in a manner to respect the customs, individuality, values, sexuality and spiritual beliefs of the patient.

Support patients to access appropriate professional support, and act as an advocate when required to clearly present the patients point of view to others.

To provide support for patients to ensure effective engagement whilst maintaining professional boundaries.

To undertake prescribed physical observations as follows: blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, blood sugars, weight and height and report results to the nurse in charge.

Maintain clinical equipment efficiently and ensure servicing is undertaken. Ensure stock items are ordered and provided in the clinical areas.

Follow Infection control standards.

Follow Health and Safety standards.

Appreciate the principles of Healthy Living and provide relevant health promotion literature/advice for patients.

Keep up to date with mandatory training and updates to remain competent.

Recognise potential areas of conflict, preventing where possible and reporting to senior members of staff if unable to resolve.

Aware of safeguarding policies.

Attends clinical supervision sessions and any appropriate meetings.

Contribute new ideas to improve patient care.

Able to drive with access to own transport and has a valid drivers licence. Able to travel in a timely manner and undertake work as a lone worker, where necessary.

Screening:

Undertake screening including BP checks, height, weight, BMI, pulse oximeter, glucose monitoring

Carry out holistic screening and checks using national assessment tools.

Undertake venepuncture.

Health Promotion:

Makes basic assessment of needs of patients

Provide nutritional advice on overweight, CHD, diabetes

Measures and records BMI

Understands patients motivation to adapt their lifestyle

Offers lifestyle advice on smoking and exercise and refers as appropriate

Able to provide advice on managing side effects of psychotropic medication eg; metabolic syndrome

Infection Control:

Apply infection control measures within the practice according to oval and national guidelines. This includes:-

Universal hygiene precautions

The collection and handling of laboratory specimens

Segregation and disposal of waste materials

Decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment

Reporting and treatment of sharps injuries

Dealing with blood and body fluid spillages

Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures and health and safety measures

General Duties

To work collaboratively and professionally with colleagues across Invicta Health, building and maintaining relationships.

To contribute to the development of services, including processes, templates and principles.

To ensure that strict confidentiality is observed at all times, especially when dealing with personal information.

To take part in any statutory and mandatory training or other training and development programmes as requested.

Any other reasonable duties as directed by your line manager.

Due to the changing nature of Invicta Health, job descriptions will evolve and are therefore subject to periodic review.

Full terms and conditions of employment will be issued if an offer of employment is made.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 or Kaspac
• Valid drivers licence with business car insurance

Desirable

• Appropriately recognised phlebotomy training
• A good standard of education
• Undertaken training in spirometry, and venepuncture.
• Training in the use of assessment tools

Key Skills

Essential

• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Self-motivated
• IT skills
• Able to work to strict infection control standards
• Able to work to strict deadlines
• Excellent time keeping skills
• Ability to cope with the physical demands of the job
• Good record keeping skills

Desirable

• Experience of clinical systems such as Vision and Emis

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Good team player
• Calm under pressure
• Good levels of concentration
• Confidence to escalate issues as required.

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in a mental healthcare setting

Desirable

• Previous knowledge of infection control procedures
• Experience in the community

About the employer

Invicta Health is a non-profit company, with a passion for primary care. We have a wide range of services such as hub-based GPs services, GP surgeries, services in Urgent Care Centres and A&E, a Community Primary Care mental health service, GP staff training service and the list is growing all the time.

We are formed by a federation of General Practitioners working in Canterbury and South Kent Coast areas of East Kent. Our aim is to provide local, high quality services for local people by collaborating with other established organisations in the health and social care community.

What perks can we offer you?