Healthcare Assistant (HCA)NHS

Job summary

Are you a caring, enthusiastic and motivated Healthcare Assistant looking to make a real difference in primary care?

Star lane Medical Centre is seeking a full-time healthcare assistant to join our friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team. You will play a key role in delivering high-quality patient care, supporting our nursing and clinical teams, and helping patients improve their health and wellbeing.

The successful candidate will undertake a range of clinical duties including NHS health Checks, ECGs, new patient health checks, blood pressure monitoring, health promotion and supporting long term condition management. You will work closely with GPs, nurses, pharmacists and administrative teams to provide excellent patient-centered care to our diverse local community.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working in a healthcare setting.
• Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Is organised, reliable and able to work as part of a team.
• Is committed to delivering compassionate, high quality care.
• Has experience in primary care and EMIS Web (desirable).

In return, we offer:

• A supportive and welcoming team environment.
• Opportunities for training and professional development
• NHS pension scheme.
• A varied and rewarding role within a busy and progressive GP practise.

If you are passionate about patient care and would like to develop your career in general practise, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The Healthcare Assistant (HAC) will support the clinical team in delivering safe, effective, and patient centred care within a busy GP Practice. Key duties include undertaking NHS health checks, ECGs, new patient health checks, clinical observation (including blood pressure, height, weight and BMI), health promotions, smoking sensation advice, specimen collection and processing, and supporting long term condition management. The post holder will also assist in infection prevention and control, maintain clinical equipment and supplies, accurately record information within EMIS, and work collaboratively with GPs, nurses and a wider practice team to provide high-quality care to the local community.

Job description

SUMMARY:

The post holder is responsible for assisting the nurses, ensuring the delivery of safe and effective nursing services to the whole practice population. As a member of the clinical nursing team the post holder is responsible for his/her own practice, whilst being accountable to the senior trained nurse on duty.

Main duties/Responsibilities:

The post holder will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures whilst managing their own workload to deliver the practice priorities. Clinically, the focus of the role is to undertake clinical activities within the clinical team as requested. Eg. ECGs, health checks, dressings and wound care etc, as delegated by the practice nurse on duty and according to training and competencies. The role will also be evolving as the balance of care shifts from hospital to general practice.

The post holder will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures whilst managing their own workload to deliver the practice priorities. Clinically, the focus of the role is to undertake clinical activities within the clinical team as requested. Eg. ECGs, health checks, dressings and wound care etc, as delegated by the practice nurse on duty and according to training and competencies. The role will also be evolving as the balance of care shifts from hospital to general practice.

CLINICAL

• Support and monitor patients during nebulisation therapy
• Assist clinicians in minor surgery and coil fitting
• Perform basic dressing changes according to a nursing care plan
• Undertake Phlebotomy for individual patients.
• Undertake screening and diagnostic procedures, promoting and being involved in Health Education activity e.g. height, weight, BP.
• Processing of samples e.g. urine.
• Administer First Aid
• Receive and refer patients to trained nurses when appropriate
• Understand and adhere to the Policies and Procedures of the Practice
• Update the computer by coding activities appropriately and at the time of the consultation using templates where appropriate. Comply with computer based information requirements
• Ensure all items of equipment are maintained in good order, and ensure that all procedures for reporting hazards or unsafe equipment are known, understood and carried out by all staff in the nursing team
• Participate in a duty rota system within the clinical team to ensure the service requirements are met
• Ensure economical and careful use of property and resources within the clinical team are used economically and effectively, including ordering of dressings and other surgery equipment.
• Provide cover for colleagues by undertaking extra shifts when required.

COMMUNICATION

• Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment
• 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
• Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimen
• Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication
• Estimate and maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with external stakeholders
• Act as an advocate when representing the patients and colleagues viewpoints to others

QUALITY

• Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures
• Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality
• Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation
• In partnership with the clinical team, collaborate on improving the quality of health care, responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate
• Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation
• Participate in team meetings.
• Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and local guidance
• Work within policies relating to domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate

PERSONAL AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT

• Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance participating in acting as a positive role model
• Encourage others to make realistic self-assessment of their application of knowledge and skills, challenging complacency and actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services
• Participate in planning and implementing changes within the area of care and responsibility
• Contribute and participate in the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards
• Participate in the engagement of practice-based commissioning or similar initiatives
• Keep up-to-date with new developments locally and nationally identifying those that will enhance the teams work
• Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring to the trained nurse where appropriate.

TEAMWORKING

• Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify how this may develop over time
• Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working
• Ensure clear understanding and utilisation of referral mechanisms within the practice
• Accept delegation from nurses, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded in own practice
• Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery
• Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care
• Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team

MANAGEMENT OF RISK

• Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients
• Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines
• Undertake mandatory and statutory training
• Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines
• Apply policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to health care for all
• Participate in the local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Attend training courses identified as essential or beneficial to the role and take responsibility for identifying own learning needs.
• Ensure all significant events are reported.
• Maintain records of specific adverse incidents, complaints and near misses.

About us

Star lane medical centre is a well-established NHS GP practice located in Newham, East London, providing comprehensive primary care services to a diverse local population. Our multidisciplinary team is committed to delivering high quality, patient-centred healthcare, focusing on prevention, early intervention, and the ongoing management of long-term conditions.

We offer a wide range of services including chronic disease management, health promotions, child immunisation, NHS health checks, screening programmes, and enhance community base care. As a practice, we pride ourselves on providing compassionate, accessible, and inclusive healthcare while fostering A supportive working environment for our staff. At Star Lane Medical Centre, we are committed to continuous improvement, staff development, and maintaining the highest standards of clinical care, patient safety, and service excellence.