Phlebotomist/Health Care Assistant

Job overview

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An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic Health Care Assistant (HCA)/Phlebotomist to join our Community Outpatients Team.  The Community Outpatient team support children, young people and their families who  attend  clinics  for appointments, blood tests and observations, both on site and at Community hubs. We care for children with a wide range of both acute and chronic conditions across many specialties

Experience of working within both acute and outpatient settings would be beneficial for this post, however not essential, as training will be given.  The post holder will require excellent communication skills, clinical skills appropriate to role and display evidence of autonomous and multi-professional team working.

A skills-based competency training programme is offered to meet the demands of  this interesting  and varied role.

Working hours will be 37.5hrs between the hours of 8-6 across Mon-Friday, with a flexible working pattern to support the needs of the service.

Enquiries to:

Kirst Lawler, Catkin & Community Clinic Manager – [email protected]

Andrea Williams, Matron – Matron – Outpatients & Community Clinics. [email protected]

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will provide the highest standards of nursing care to children and   their families.
• Undertake phlebotomy procedures in the department, once fully trained and competent.
• The post holder will be an effective communicator in all aspects of their duties both in direct and indirect patient care.
• The post holder will work in collaboration with the healthcare teams
• The post holder will work within the confines of their mandatory and statutory obligations, to the prevention and control of infection in the clinical area
• The post holder will undertake delegated nursing tasks as deemed necessary to enhance the care of the patient, some of which may be competency based.
• The post holder will assess and report risk to the nurse/lead clinician.  The post holder will assist in the orientation and education of new staff.
• Take responsibility for, prioritise and manage own workload to support clinical team.
• Work without direct supervision using experience and knowledge to ensure the highest quality care is delivered
• Promote and maintain a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment for patients and their families.
• Assist in the basic care required by patients in clinical settings.
• Assist with the education of new staff and students and ensure they are instructed in the procedures, routines. Please see JD for full list of duties

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The post holder will communicate observations (including changes in care needs or health / wellbeing of the patient), updates, and messages to members of the immediate care team / nurse in charge.
• The post holder will ensure that the confidentiality of information is maintained at all times, pertaining to both patients and staff
• The post holder will ensure the most effective use of media to communicate information about patients and their families, to the immediate and wider healthcare teams, which may include paper based and electronic systems.
• Help manage any PALS and/or complaints received, liaising with senior team and advise families of the Trust’s complaints procedure where possible then refer to manager.
• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with Trust guidelines.

Planning and organising skills:

• The post holder will lead and assist the clinic team in the organisation of the clinic environment which includes cleanliness of the clinical area, and ensure equipment is available, clean and in working order.
• The post holder will assist the healthcare team in the preparation of the environment for clinical tasks such as dressings / wound care and other defined, planned tasks.
• The post holder will organise their clinical workload under the direction of lead clinician.

Clinical skills:

• Assisting children with mobility needs as age and stage of development indicates. This will include correct and safe use of mobility aids and / or prescribed appliances.
• Ensuring that the clinical area is prepared and maintained to enable the delivery of safe standards of care and comfort for children and their families.
• Assisting the child in clinical area with elimination needs whilst always maintaining their privacy and dignity according to their age and stage of development – this will include nappy care, use and care of bed pans and urinal equipment and / or other elimination aids or appliances.
• Assisting the child with mobility which may include passive movements, walking, or mobilising using prescribed appliances.
• Ensure patients are escorted safely to other departments as delegated by the nurse in charge.
• Measure and record patients weight, height, temperature, blood pressure and respiratory rate and document.
• The post holder will have a breadth of knowledge and skills relating to paediatric health care and carry out clinical procedures relevant to their role, once fully trained and competent.

Research & Audit:

• The post holder will support the ward manager by participating and assisting in various audits and surveys which may include hygiene, patient safety and patient satisfaction audits. Leadership and Management skills:
• The post holder will work within defined practice boundaries under the delegation and supervision of the lead clinician in clinical area.
• The post holder will ensure that they are competent. It is the post holders’ responsibility to identify any personal learning needs through continuing personal development, via their annual development review.
• Complete management duties as delegated to support ward function.