Healthcare Assistant

NHS; Hartlepool; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare practice is seeking a dedicated healthcare assistant to join their multidisciplinary team. This role involves providing essential patient care, supporting clinical staff, and participating in health promotion initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and a compassionate approach, ensuring high-quality care for patients. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a supportive environment where teamwork and patient well-being are prioritized. If you're passionate about healthcare and want to make a difference, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Good standard of general education required.
• NVQ level 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care are essential.

Responsibilities

• Taking patient observations and assisting with minor procedures.
• Conducting health checks and providing lifestyle advice.
• Maintaining clinical areas and supplies.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Ability to Work Independently

Ability to Work Under Pressure

Patient Care

Education

GCSE Mathematics C or above

GCSE English C or above

NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care

NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care

Tools

SystmOne

Job description

Working under the direct supervision of the practice nurse/GPs and strictly in accordance with practice guidelines and protocols, the healthcare assistant will be working as part of the practice multidisciplinary team, delivering care within their scope of practice to the entitled patient population, including treatment, preventative care, screening, and patient education. The role also includes some administrative duties.

Main duties of the job

The healthcare assistant supports the clinical team by taking patient observations, carrying out phlebotomy and ECGs, wound care, assisting with minor procedures, conducting health checks, long-term condition assessments, providing lifestyle advice, and administering certain vaccinations if trained. They maintain clinical areas and supplies and act as chaperones. The role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a compassionate, team-oriented approach to patient care.

About us

Blackhall and Peterlee Practice is located in the Easington area in County Durham, operating across two locations caring for over 10,000 patients.

We are a large training practice with four GP partners, four salaried GPs, a nursing team of nurse practitioners, nurses, and HCAs, pharmacists, and a large administrative team supporting the team and patients. We provide education and supervision for GP trainees and medical students.

As part of Easington Central PCN, we offer enhanced access and attached staff including physiotherapists, health and wellbeing coaches, clinical pharmacists, care coordinators, adult mental health support, CAMHS, and social prescribers. Our team and wider PCN team are supportive, friendly, and approachable.

Job responsibilities

Main duties of the job

The following are the core responsibilities of the healthcare assistant role. Occasionally, other tasks may be required depending on workload, staffing levels, and new primary care targets. The role involves working across three sites: Blackhall, Peterlee, and Seaham.

Primary responsibilities

• Patient observations such as blood pressure, height, weight, BMI, and pulse oximetry
• Health promotion programmes including flu, pneumococcal, and other campaigns
• ECG recording
• INR/Cholesterol point of care testing
• Simple removal of sutures
• FENO testing
• Processing and managing laboratory samples requested by GPs/nurses
• Vaccine/cold chain storage, monitoring, and recording
• Surgical equipment, consumables, and vaccine re-stocking and stock rotation
• Clearing and re-stocking consulting rooms
• Preparing and maintaining environments and equipment before, during, and after patient care interventions, including assisting GPs during minor operations
• Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients' health and well-being
• Undertaking specific clinical activities for delegated patients as instructed and trained
• Helping to raise awareness of health and well-being and how it can be promoted
• Assisting with the collection and collation of data related to health and well-being

Secondary responsibilities:

• Participate in practice audits as directed by the audit lead
• Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care
• Support and participate in shared learning within the practice
• Complete opening and closing procedures according to the duty rota

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Good standard of general education
• GCSE Mathematics C or above
• GCSE English C or above
• Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care
• Qualified to NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care

Knowledge and skills

• Ability to provide quality care
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a healthcare team
• Ability to work under pressure
• Knowledge of SystmOne

Experience

• Experience working within a healthcare setting
• Experience working with the public
• Experience in a primary care environment
• Practical experience with computerised recording systems
• Full driving license

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A disclosure check will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.