Healthcare Assistant (HCA) / PhlebotomistNHS

Job summary

Dr Sharma & Rai Practice Group is looking for an experienced Healthcare Assistant (HCA) / Phlebotomist to join our team across GP practice sites in Barking and Dagenham.

This is a full-time, permanent role for 37.5 hours per week. The successful candidate will work across different practice sites according to the rota, but will normally remain at one site for the full working day.

We are looking for an experienced primary care HCA who is confident in phlebotomy and a broad range of routine HCA duties. Formal phlebotomy training/competency certification and recent practical phlebotomy experience are essential.

The role will include supporting long-term condition reviews, NHS Health Checks and other routine clinical activity. Early starts are essential due to morning phlebotomy clinics.

You will join an experienced clinical team, with nursing support available for ongoing development and competency updates where appropriate.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received. Early application is therefore encouraged.

Main duties of the job

The Healthcare Assistant / Phlebotomist will support the clinical team by delivering a range of routine patient care and monitoring activities within general practice.

Main duties will include:

• Phlebotomy and specimen collection.
• Blood pressure, height, weight and BMI checks.
• NHS Health Checks.
• Supporting long-term condition reviews, including diabetes checks and foot assessments.
• Performing ECGs and urinalysis.
• Administering B12 injections in line with practice protocols and appropriate authorisation.
• Smoking and alcohol screening and brief health-promotion advice.
• Recording observations and clinical information accurately in the patient record.
• Maintaining infection prevention and control standards and safe clinical environments.
• Working closely with GPs, nurses and the wider practice team to support safe and efficient patient care.

The postholder will work within their level of competence and follow agreed practice protocols, with experienced nursing support available where required.

Job description

Job Title: Healthcare Assistant (HCA) / Phlebotomist Organisation: Dr Sharma & Rai Practice Group Contract: Permanent, Full-time 37.5 hours per week Location: Across Dr Sharma & Rai Practice Group sites in Barking and Dagenham

Job purpose The Healthcare Assistant / Phlebotomist will support the clinical team in delivering safe, effective and high-quality patient care within general practice.

The successful candidate must have previous HCA experience within GP practice or primary care and be competent in phlebotomy and a broad range of routine HCA duties.

Formal phlebotomy training/competency certification and recent practical phlebotomy experience are essential.

The postholder will work across different Dr Sharma & Rai Practice Group sites according to the rota. Although the usual place of work may vary between days, the postholder will normally work at one practice site for the duration of each working day and will not routinely be required to travel between sites during the working day.

The role is 37.5 hours per week, worked within practice core opening hours of approximately 08:00 - 18:30. Flexibility is required and the ability to work early starts is essential due to morning phlebotomy clinics.

Main clinical duties The postholder will undertake duties appropriate to their training and assessed competence, including:

• Phlebotomy and appropriate specimen collection and handling.
• Blood pressure monitoring.
• Height, weight and BMI measurements.
• NHS Health Checks.
• Supporting long-term condition reviews.
• Diabetes monitoring, including diabetic foot checks.
• Performing ECGs.
• Urinalysis.
• Administering B12 injections in accordance with appropriate clinical authorisation, practice protocols and assessed competency.
• Smoking status and alcohol screening.
• Providing appropriate health-promotion and lifestyle information.
• Recording observations, results and other relevant information accurately within the patient's clinical record.
• Escalating abnormal findings or patient concerns appropriately to a registered clinician.

Patient care

• Provide patients with a professional, courteous and supportive service.
• Maintain patient dignity, privacy and confidentiality at all times.
• Explain procedures clearly and obtain appropriate consent before undertaking clinical tasks.
• Recognise the limits of own competence and seek support from a registered clinician when required.
• Identify and escalate concerns relating to a patient's condition or wellbeing appropriately.
• Work effectively with GPs, nurses and other members of the multidisciplinary practice team.

Infection prevention and clinical safety

• Follow infection prevention and control procedures at all times.
• Maintain clean, safe and appropriately stocked clinical rooms.
• Ensure clinical equipment is cleaned and stored appropriately.
• Follow procedures for the safe handling and disposal of clinical waste and sharps.
• Monitor clinical stock and report or address shortages where appropriate.
• Follow practice policies relating to health and safety, infection control and clinical governance.

Clinical records and administration

• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records using the practice clinical system.
• Ensure information is coded and recorded appropriately.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with information governance and data-protection requirements.
• Support recall, monitoring and administrative processes associated with HCA clinics where required.
• Work collaboratively with reception, administration and clinical teams to support efficient patient pathways.

Training and development The successful candidate is expected to already be competent in the majority of the clinical duties required for this post.

Experienced nurses and other clinicians are available to provide ongoing support, competency assessment and professional development where appropriate.

The postholder will be expected to:

• Maintain and provide evidence of relevant training and competencies.
• Complete mandatory training as required.
• Participate in competency reviews and updates.
• Take responsibility for recognising and working within their own scope of competence.
• Participate in appraisal and ongoing professional development.

General responsibilities

• Work in accordance with practice policies, procedures and clinical protocols.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with GDPR and information governance requirements.
• Promote equality, dignity and respectful communication.
• Contribute positively to teamwork and service improvement.
• Attend relevant practice meetings and training where required.
• Work flexibly across the practice group's sites according to operational need and the agreed rota.
• Undertake other appropriate duties consistent with the responsibilities and level of the role.

This job description outlines the main responsibilities of the post and may be reviewed as services develop, following discussion with the postholder.

About us

Dr Sharma & Rai Practice Group provides GP services across Barking and Dagenham, East London.

We are a busy and developing multi-site organisation with a strong focus on patient care, teamwork, safe clinical practice and continuous improvement.

You will work as part of an experienced clinical and administrative team, with support from GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals. The role offers variety across our practice sites, ongoing learning opportunities and the chance to contribute to high-quality patient care.

We offer a permanent full-time position, NHS Pension access subject to eligibility, annual leave entitlement and support with ongoing training and development.