“Key duties and responsibilities of Doctors' Assistants”
ROLE SUMMARY
Doctors’ Assistants work alongside Junior Doctors to support their inpatient/ward work. The role combines a range of clinical and administrative competencies. The post holder will work with some autonomy alongside Junior Doctors, with clinical supervision provided by a Consultant.
The post holder works as part of the medical team under the supervision of Doctors and supports them by participating in the delivery of patient care. The post holder will be expected to be self-motivated and use judgement and initiative where appropriate, supported by relevant training.
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The post holder is an integral part of the medical team and may be embedded within the team of medical staff of may be attached to a specific ward. If team based they may therefore be involved in the care of all the patients under the care of their team despite the geographical location within the hospital.
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The post holder will have completed the Healthcare Assistant (HCA) induction programme, and successfully completed the care certificate, and will be competent to undertake a range of clinical procedures, and will maintain their level of competence.
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The post holder will form part of an internal rota; that is working shifts to meet service needs, including on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank holidays.
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Attend handover meetings with doctors to contribute, prioritise and identify tasks.
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Accompany Consultants and other doctors on ward rounds to contribute, prioritise and identify tasks.
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Perform the following skills when indicated and/or directed, upon completion of the prerequisite training and assessment of competency:
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Undertake point of care testing (POCT) of INR (International Normalised Ratio) when required for patients on Warfarin. (This may allow patients to have surgery/procedures or help the patient’s safe discharge
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Assess patient’s previous notes and correspondence to ensure co-morbidities are noted and recorded, liaising with Doctors
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Undertake screening for – Dementia / VTE / Malnutrition / Frailty, and others as appropriate.
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Assess skin pressure areas and skin integrity, reporting any changes to a registered nurse or medical professional
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Take/record observations/measurements (eg. temperature, pulse, manual/digital blood pressure, respiration, oxygen saturation, body weight, height). Any readings deviating from the Trust’s normal range are to be reported to a registered professional
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Monitor dietary/fluid intake and record amounts directly on fluid and food record charts
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Carry out routine urine testing, record results and report any abnormalities
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Collect blood and urine specimens and label as required
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Phlebotomy
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Intravenous cannulation
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Blood cultures
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Electrocardiogram (ECG) recording
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Basic wound care
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Insertion of naso-gastric tubes and management of such tubes after their placement has been confirmed by an appropriately qualified individual
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Assist registered therapy professionals in carrying out treatment and movement programmes.
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Transport equipment between care settings within the hospital.
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Adhere to Trust policy on moving and handling.
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Prepare/maintain environments for clinical procedures and support patients during the process.
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Promote patient’s equality and diversity and contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse.
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Ensure and document patient consent, as required
CLINICAL DUTIES
Administrative Duties
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Update patient list and task list (including electronic versions) under supervision of a registered medical professional.
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Draft discharge summary for approval by Doctors.
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Preparation and management of patient notes.
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Checking the progress of requested investigations, expediting where necessary.
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Updating of patients’ investigation results in electronic or physical databases after the results have been scrutinised by registered medical professionals.
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Completion of radiology and pathology requests at the direction of a registered medical professional and with subsequent approval prior to submission.
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Booking of outpatient follow-up and anti-coagulation clinic appointments.
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Collect/deliver TTO (to take out) medications.
Communication
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Develop and sustain working relationships with the medical team to ensure effective collaboration.
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Receive and assist visitors, presenting self to patients, visitors and other staff in a pleasant and co-operative manner.
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Establish rapport with patients and carers. Develop an awareness of patients’ individual needs and communicate this to the registered professional responsible for the patient.
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Exchange factual information with patients using persuasion, reassurance, tact, and empathy. Support patients who are distressed, demonstrating empathy and understanding, ensuring registered staff are aware of a patient in difficulty.
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Provide health promotion advice and leaflets to patients (within protocol)
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In supporting/caring for patients, overcome barriers to understanding, eg. if the patient has physical impairment, mental health condition, learning difficulties or dementia.
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Provide concise, accurate and legible data/records, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
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Receive/transmit and store/retrieve information as required.
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Uphold the Trust values and act as an advocate for patient care.
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Demonstrate own activities to new or less experienced employees.
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Participate in the induction /orientation of new members of the team (and others as required).
Training/Education
Identify own development needs through the use of reflective practice.
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Undertake continuing workplace based assessments.
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Maintain a record of continuing professional development.
Personal and Professional Development
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To be familiar with and adhere to the policies and procedures of the Trust.
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Behave and act at all times in accordance with the Trust Values, of Working Together, Respect and Compassion, Engagement and Involvement and Improvement and Development
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To achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
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To participate fully in the performance and development review (appraisal) process and undertake Continuing Professional Development as required.
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To participate in surveys and audits as necessary in order to enable the Trust to meet its statutory requirements.
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To be aware of the Trust’s emergency planning processes and follow such processes as necessary, in the event of an unexpected incident.
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This job description is not exhaustive. Staff may be required to undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager, which are commensurate with the band, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.