Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Health Care Assistant to join our busy and dynamic team in Slough at the Urgent Care Centre.

The post requires the ability to work as part of a team communicating effectively with patients, operational and clinical staff, emergency services and secondary care staff to ensure the efficient organisation of workload and management of patients.

Main duties of the job

• Provide safe, accessible, and high-quality patient-focused care
• ECG recording
• Phlebotomy
• Cannulation
• Use of point of care blood test machines
• Blood Glucose / Ketone Monitoring
• Urinalysis / Pregnancy Testing
• Patient Observations
• Act as chaperone where required
• Maintain appropriate stock levels in the unit
• Monitoring the waiting room
• Providing personal support for patients in the waiting room
• Wound dressings
• Updating the patients medical records where appropriate
• Providing assistance/training to new members of staff to ensure the maintenance of a high-quality service, as and when required
• Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session
• Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the Infection, Prevention & Control Policy
• To demonstrate a sound knowledge of the principles of infection control, including monthly hand hygiene audits adhering to the highest standards when performing aseptic technique and complying with Infection, Prevention & Control Policy
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

About us
EBPC is a well-respected enabler of high-quality NHS services. Established 27 years ago as an Out of Hours GP service, we have grown significantly and deliver a full range of services, 24/7, to support 111, Primary Care Networks, Integrated Care Systems, Acute and Community NHS Trusts.

Job responsibilities

• Provide safe, accessible, and high-quality patient-focused care
• ECG recording
• Phlebotomy
• Cannulation
• Use of point of care blood test machines
• Blood Glucose / Ketone Monitoring
• Urinalysis / Pregnancy Testing
• Patient Observations
• Act as chaperone where required
• Maintain appropriate stock levels in the unit
• Monitoring the waiting room
• Providing personal support for patients in the waiting room
• Wound dressings
• Updating the patients medical records where appropriate
• Providing assistance/training to new members of staff to ensure the maintenance of a high-quality service, as and when required
• Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session
• Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the Infection, Prevention & Control Policy
• To demonstrate a sound knowledge of the principles of infection control, including monthly hand hygiene audits adhering to the highest standards when performing aseptic technique and complying with Infection, Prevention & Control Policy
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Communication

• 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 communication barriers and act to improve communication.
• Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
• Always ensure privacy and dignity for patients.
• Provide effective communication with all staff and external stakeholders to exchange and disseminate information.
• Provide information and advice for patients on discharge ensuring awareness of sources of guidance and support and provide information in an acceptable format for patients recognising any difficulties and refer where appropriate.

Quality

• Prioritise, organise, and manage workload to maintain and promote quality.
• Promote evidence based clinical practice according to current guidelines and maintain an appreciation of current legal and professional issues.
• Support research and audit as a means of evaluating the quality of work delivered by self and the team to improve the experience for patients.
• Improve the quality of health care responding to national and local policies as appropriate.
• Actively promote diversity, including race diversity in the delivery of services.
• Generate and sustain the promotion of privacy and dignity, rights and responsibilities and take action to address any issues.
• Follow consistently high standards of infection control practice in accordance with national and local policy especially with reference to hand hygiene and other procedures relevant to work.

Personal Development

• Identify own professional development needs and participate in regular performance review taking responsibility for own learning and performance.
• Work effectively with others in the service to clearly define values, direction and policies which may impact on care delivery and support others to explore and develop new ways of working.
• Participate in statutory and mandatory training.
• Show awareness of requirements regarding health and safety, risk management and complaints.
• Demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of national, local, and service issues.
• Prioritise own workload to ensure effective time management strategies are embedded within the work.
• Work effectively and responsibly within the team to support others and explore new ways of working.
• Delegate clearly and appropriately to ensure the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence are followed.
• Show responsibility by ensuring own practice complies with Data Protection, Confidentiality and Caldicott principles.
• Agree plans and outcomes to measure quality of own work.

Qualifications
Essential

• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
• Care Certificate

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Demonstrates an enthusiastic and flexible approach
• Ability to travel between sites
• Ability to be flexible with working days/hours

Experience
Essential

• Previous experience of working as an HCA in UTC/GP/Hospital/Community setting
• Communicate with a variety of people
• Understanding of basic observations
• ECG & Phlebotomy

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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.