Healthcare Assistant

NHS; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Sheffield is seeking an experienced healthcare assistant to join their dedicated team. The role involves supporting nursing staff, conducting health checks, and engaging in health promotion activities. This position offers the opportunity to work in a rewarding environment focused on addressing health inequalities within the community.

Qualifications

• Experience as a healthcare assistant in NHS and primary care settings.
• Willingness to undertake further education and training.
• Ability to assist with care delivery, including minor surgery support.

Responsibilities

• Support the practice nursing team in delivering nursing services.
• Undertake new patient health checks and carry out baseline observations.
• Participate in clinical training to stay updated with clinical practices.

Skills

Basic numeracy and literacy skills

Knowledge of NHS clinical systems

Flexible and reliable

Education

Experience as an HCA within the NHS

Job description

We are looking for an experienced healthcare assistant to join our team. We are 'Deepend' practices, based in one of the most socioeconomically deprived areas of the country. Our multicultural patient population has a combined list size of around 11,000 patients. Our patients often have complex health needs, and our team works hard to address the health inequalities faced by our community. The role can be very rewarding! We will soon move into a new purpose-built health centre, rated BREEAM outstanding, designed to enhance staff and visitors' health and wellbeing.

Main duties of the job

• Support the practice nursing team in delivering nursing services as part of the multidisciplinary team, within your scope of practice, to our patient population.
• Deliver and assist clinical staff in treatment, preventative care, health promotion, and patient education.

About us

We are two small, stable teams with an average length of service of around 10 years; some staff have been here over 30 years. Currently, we have three HCAs, and we are hiring to replace a retiring team member. Our practices are welcoming and friendly, and every role is valued equally within our team. The surgeries are five minutes apart, with similar patient demographics, and are part of the same primary care network.

Job responsibilities

• Undertake new patient health checks.
• Support the practice nurse with health promotion programmes.
• Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, and pulse rate, recording findings accurately.
• Facilitate routine and 24-hour BP monitoring, advising patients accordingly.
• Support the management of chronic disease clinics.
• Carry out BMI checks as directed.
• Act as a chaperone as required.
• Assist with flu vaccinations when trained.
• Ensure specimens are recorded and prepared for transportation.
• Provide support during minor operations.
• Ensure clinical rooms are stocked and prepared for each session.
• Maintain cleanliness of fridges according to guidelines.
• Remove clinical waste and replace sharps bins per IPC policy.
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.
• Undertake venepuncture.
• Assist with ear irrigation under supervision.
• Carry out ECGs as requested.
• Participate in practice audits and local initiatives to improve service delivery and patient care.
• Support and engage in shared learning within the practice.
• Complete opening and closing procedures as per duty rota.
• Recognize signs and symptoms of child abuse, understand relevant procedures and referral pathways.
• Be aware of roles of other practitioners and agencies.
• Understand legal issues around child abuse.
• Recognize and refer cases related to family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse, and addiction.
• Identify psychological needs of patients with depression or suicidal tendencies.
• Participate in clinical training to stay updated with clinical practices.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
• Experience as an HCA within the NHS and primary care settings.

Experience

• Knowledge of NHS clinical systems, including SystmOne.
• Flexible, reliable, and adaptable to change.
• Willingness to undertake further education and training.
• Ability to assist with care delivery, including minor surgery support.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This position is subject to a DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 (Exceptions Order 1975).