Healthcare Assistant

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sefton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Annual leave over time 25–28 days

Wellbeing benefits

Discounts on shopping & leisure

Learning and career development

Employee assistance helpline

Long-term career prospects

Job summary

Practice Plus Group, delivering Health in Justice services at HMP Altcourse, seeks Healthcare Assistants to join a fast-paced primary care team. You will cover clinics, bloods, ECGs and health checks, interpreting NEWS2 scores and escalating concerns as needed.

The role includes medication rounds, pharmacy second checking, and working with nurses, GPs and other professionals to support patient care and health promotion in a secure setting.

Qualifications

• Care Certificate and/or NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health & Social Care.
• Experience with bloods, ECGs, NHS Health Checks and vital sign observations.
• Experience in clinical settings such as prisons or secure environments.

Responsibilities

• Run and support healthcare clinics for bloods, observations and NHS Health Checks.
• Assess deteriorating patients using NEWS scores and escalate concerns.
• Respond to emergencies and support pharmacy checks during rounds.
• Greet and assist in reception areas, performing basic health assessments.
• Collaborate with nurses, GPs and other healthcare staff to ensure patient care.
• Promote health and wellbeing initiatives within the setting.

Skills

NEWS score assessment

Education

Care Certificate or NVQ Level 2/3 in Health & Social Care

Job description

Several Healthcare Assistant posts sit in the primary care team at HMP Altcourse, where Practice Plus Group's Health in Justice service provides primary care. The work centres on clinics, bloods, ECGs, NHS Health Checks and assessing deteriorating patients using NEWS2 scores, alongside pharmacy checking and medication rounds. Posts are full time at 37.5 hours on a rotational pattern covering 7am to 9:30pm, with weekends and possible nights. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and will face additional vetting and security checks.

What the job involves

• Run and support healthcare clinics for bloods, observations, ECGs and NHS Health Checks
• Assess and monitor deteriorating patients, interpreting NEWS2 scores and escalating concerns
• Respond to emergency situations
• Work in reception at Early Days in Custody, carrying out basic health assessments and bloodborne virus screening
• Act as pharmacy second checker and assist with medication rounds
• Work collaboratively with nurses, GPs and wider healthcare professionals
• Support health promotion and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Care Certificate and/or NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health & Social Care

Experience

• Experience of at least some of: bloods (phlebotomy or venepuncture), ECGs, health checks, physical observations, wound care
• Experience of working in a clinical setting such as a hospital or prison or secure setting

Skills & knowledge

• Competent in assessing a deteriorating patient, such as using NEWS scores

Checks & eligibility

• Legal right to work in the UK
• Additional vetting and security checks

Other

• Resilient, proactive and enthusiastic approach to patient care
• Working in a secure and fast-paced environment

Nice to have

• A&E experience in a clinical setting

What’s offered

• Company pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave rising to 28 days with service, plus public bank holidays
• Wellbeing and lifestyle benefits
• Discounts on shopping and leisure activities
• Internal and external learning and career development opportunities
• 24/7 employee assistance helpline and financial assistance
• Long-term career prospects