Practice Health Care Assistant

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; Rawtenstall; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Healthcare Assistant to support clinical teams in patient‑facing care across our services. You will undertake health checks, baseline observations, wound care and assist with chronic disease management under supervision.

This role requires excellent communication, teamwork and a person‑centred approach. You will ensure accurate record keeping, prepare rooms and equipment, and participate in service improvements and patient safety initiatives

Qualifications

• Recent direct patient care experience in primary/secondary care with person-centred care.
• GP systems experience, EMIS or equivalent.
• Competence in core HCA duties including blood pressure, urine testing and ECG.
• Strong communication, interpersonal skills and professional approach.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and independently.

Responsibilities

• Undertake new patient health checks.
• Support practice nurse with health promotion programmes.
• Carry out baseline observations such as pulse rate, blood pressure and temperature.
• Facilitate routine BP monitoring and advise patients accordingly.
• Undertake wound care and dressings as required.
• Support management of chronic disease clinics.
• Carry out BMI checks as directed.
• Act as a chaperone as required.
• When trained, undertake venepuncture and administer flu vaccinations.
• When trained, carry out ear irrigation and carry out ECGs as requested.
• Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation.
• Provide support during minor operations and keep rooms stocked.
• Ensure clinical waste and sharps disposal in IPC compliant manner.
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion and participate in audits.
• Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery.

Skills

Blood pressure monitoring

Urine testing

ECG recording

EMIS experience

Teamwork

Communication skills

Tools

EMIS

Job description

Duties

• Undertake new patient health checks
• Support the practice nurse with health promotion programmes
• Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, recording findings accurately
• Facilitate routine and 24‑hour BP monitoring, advising patients accordingly
• Undertake wound care, dressings and other clinical tasks as required
• Support the practice nurse with the management of chronic disease clinics
• Carry out BMI checks as directed
• Act as a chaperone as required
• When trained, undertake venepuncture
• When trained, administer flu vaccinations
• When trained, carry out ear irrigation under the supervision of the practice nurse
• Carry out ECGs as requested
• Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation
• Provide support during minor operations as required
• Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session
• Ensure fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with extant guidance
• Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the practice IPC policy
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate
• Participate in practice audit as directed
• Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care
• Support and participate in shared learning within the practice

Working for our organisation

East Lancashire Hospitals Trust is responsible for the delivery of a variety of services to the populations of East Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and surrounding areas. We deliver in patient, out patient, community and primary care services. East Lancashire Hospitals Trust recognises that staff are our biggest and best asset and offers rewarding careers with opportunities for learning and development to enable staff to enhance and progress their careers.

Qualifications & Experience

• Recent experience in direct patient care within a primary or secondary care setting, demonstrating understanding of person‑centred care, GP systems experience – experience of using EMIS or equivalent primary care clinical systems.
• Competent in core HCA duties including blood pressure monitoring, urine testing and ECG recording, with willingness to develop further clinical skills.
• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication, good interpersonal skills, tact, discretion and a professional approach when dealing with patients and colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team whilst also working independently, demonstrating initiative, flexibility and sound judgement.
• Basic IT skills, data input and information gathering experience, understanding of confidentiality requirements, and ability to follow policies, procedures and clinical protocols.

Company Culture & Equal Opportunities

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust we provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first‑class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under‑representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)

If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained. The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed. The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.