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This is a relatively new role designed to help with clinical and administrative tasks that support Junior Doctors. Examples of duties include performing Arterial Blood Gases (ABG), phlebotomy, cannulation, assessing for dementia screening, Venous thromboembolism (VTE) screening, and liaising with other clinical staff.

Clinical 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.

What is the role of a Doctors Assistant?

To support the team of doctors & Nurses with the clinical aspects of a patients ward based care including taking blood, inserting a cannula, inserting a urethral catheter, scanning a bladder, wound care, performing an ECG (tracing of the heart) swabbing for MRSA or COVID & undertaking observations including blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, oxygen levels and breathing rate.

What qualifications and experience do I need?

Advanced Apprenticeship /NVQ Level 3 in Healthcare .

What training and development is available?

Additional clinical skills are offered including insertion of long lines and negative pressure wound therapy

Pay and benefits

The banding for a Doctors Assistant is Band 3 (please refer to the latest Agenda for Change pay scales for salary details)

Registration

This is an unregistered post

 

 

My Story: Julia Parsonage

My name is Julia Parsonage.  I have worked at UHP for 20 years and am currently a Surgical Doctors Assistant

How I got into this role

I was originally a Health Care Assistant (HCA) that progressed to Senior HCA, then transferred to a discharge coordinator

My role at UHP

My role is to support the team of doctors & nurses with the clinical aspects of a patients ward based care including taking blood, inserting a cannula, inserting a urethral catheter, scanning a bladder, wound care, performing an ECG (tracing of the heart) swabbing for MRSA or COVID & undertaking observations including blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, oxygen levels and breathing rate. I am based in the Triage section of the ward, where initial assessment is completed.

The best bits and the challenges

The best bits are meeting a wide range of the public and helping them through their initial assessment.  The challenges are when we are at full capacity & patients continue to arrive who are acutely unwell.

Life outside of work

I am married with children and now grandchildren.  I enjoy going to the gym and walking my dog

My top tips to being successful

For me, this is my dream job. But my top tips are to give everything a try once in the NHS. Most posts provide transferrable experience. Spend time with the experts in your area (in my case the doctors and senior nurses) as they are excellent at sharing knowledge. Also access any training opportunities you can, including online learning.