Health Care Assistant

• Provide compassionate, respectful, and person-centred care to all patients attending the practice.
• Carry out clinical procedures within your level of competence and training, including phlebotomy, blood pressure checks, ECGs, urinalysis, and routine clinical observations.
• Undertake NHS Health Checks, including health checks for patients with learning disabilities and severe mental illness (SMI), supporting the practice in delivering appropriate physical health monitoring and preventative care.
• Support patients with learning disabilities and severe mental illness in accessing appropriate health screening, monitoring, and wider healthcare services.
• Undertake wound care and dressing procedures within your level of training and competency, following appropriate infection prevention and control procedures.
• Support the nursing and GP teams with chronic disease monitoring and management, including relevant reviews, observations, and investigations.
• Provide health promotion, lifestyle, and wellbeing advice appropriate to the patient's needs and within your scope of practice.
• Follow infection prevention and control, safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality, and practice policies at all times.
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, particularly those who may require additional support with communication or accessing healthcare.
• Work collaboratively with GPs, nurses, healthcare professionals, and the wider multidisciplinary team to provide coordinated patient care..

• Provide compassionate, person-centred care to patients of all ages and backgrounds.
• Undertake clinical observations and procedures within the scope of training and competency, including:
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Pulse, temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, height and weight
• Phlebotomy
• ECG recording
• Urinalysis
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Undertake NHS Health Checks and support preventative health programmes.
• Carry out Learning Disability Health Checks, ensuring patients receive appropriate physical health monitoring and follow-up.
• Undertake Severe Mental Illness (SMI) Health Checks, including appropriate physical health observations and screening in accordance with practice protocols.
• Support the nursing and GP teams with chronic disease monitoring and reviews.
• Provide wound care and dressing changes within appropriate training and competency.
• Support vaccination and immunisation clinics where appropriately trained and authorised.
• Assist with screening programmes and other preventative healthcare initiatives.
• Identify and report abnormal clinical findings or concerns promptly to the appropriate clinician.
• Provide appropriate health promotion and lifestyle advice within the boundaries of the role.
• Support patients in understanding and accessing relevant health and wellbeing services.

• Communicate with patients in a professional, friendly, and compassionate manner.
• Provide reassurance and support to patients who may be anxious, vulnerable, or require additional assistance.
• Adapt communication appropriately for patients with learning disabilities, severe mental illness, communication difficulties, or other additional needs.
• Maintain patient dignity, privacy, and confidentiality at all times.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, escalating issues to the appropriate member of the clinical team.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of patient care.

• Follow practice infection prevention and control policies and procedures at all times.
• Ensure clinical rooms are clean, safe, tidy, and appropriately stocked.
• Safely dispose of clinical waste and sharps in accordance with relevant procedures.
• Maintain and check clinical equipment, reporting any faults or concerns promptly.
• Work within agreed clinical protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain awareness of health and safety requirements within the practice.

• Accurately document clinical observations, procedures, and patient information in the appropriate clinical record.
• Ensure all records are completed promptly and in accordance with practice requirements.
• Support patient recall systems and assist with contacting patients where required.
• Participate in clinical audits and quality improvement activities.
• Assist the wider practice team with appropriate administrative and clinical tasks to support the smooth running of services.

• Work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary practice team.
• Liaise appropriately with GPs, nurses, practice staff, community services, and other healthcare professionals.
• Attend relevant team meetings, training sessions, and supervision as required.
• Support colleagues and contribute positively to the working environment.
• Recognise personal limitations and seek advice or support when a task falls outside your level of competence.

• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Comply with GDPR and practice information governance requirements.
• Follow practice policies and procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries with patients and colleagues.
• Undertake mandatory and role-specific training as required.
• Maintain and develop clinical competencies through appropriate learning and development.
• Work within their scope of practice and only undertake clinical procedures for which they are trained and competent.
• Participate in supervision, appraisal, and personal development planning.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and high-quality patient care.

Essential

• Previous experience working as a Healthcare Assistant or in a relevant healthcare setting.
• Caring, compassionate, and patient-focused approach.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional standards.
• Understanding of infection prevention and control.
• Ability to recognise when to seek advice or escalate concerns.
• Willingness to undertake training and develop clinical competencies.

Desirable

• Previous experience working within General Practice or Primary Care.
• Experience in phlebotomy.
• Experience undertaking NHS Health Checks.
• Experience with Learning Disability Health Checks.
• Experience with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) Health Checks.
• Experience in wound care and dressing changes.
• Experience supporting patients with long-term conditions.
• Experience working with vulnerable patients or those with additional healthcare needs.
• Knowledge of clinical systems used within primary care.

Essential

• The successful candidate will be:
• Compassionate and approachable
• Reliable and professional
• Organised and adaptable
• Confident but aware of their professional limitations
• Able to work independently while also contributing effectively to a team
• Committed to delivering high-quality patient care
• Respectful of patient dignity, confidentiality, and individual needs
• Enthusiastic about learning and developing within the role.
• This job description is intended to provide an outline of the main duties and responsibilities of the role. It is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role, experience, and level of competence.
• The Healthcare Assistant must always work within their scope of practice, training, and competency and seek appropriate supervision or guidance where required.