Healthcare Assistant

Job summary

Health Care Assistant

We are a busy, friendly, growing GMS practice in Moulton (near Spalding). We have a multi skilled team with a wealth of experience and are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and reliable Healthcare Assistant to join our friendly multidisciplinary team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people and wants to make a positive difference to patient care in a busy GP practice. Working under the direction of our nursing and clinical team, you will deliver safe, effective and compassionate care within your level of competence. The successful candidate will have excellent communication and organisational skills, a professional manner and a commitment to confidentiality and high standards of patient care.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Duties

• Undertake wound care management, including:
• Dressing changes.
• Basic wound assessment and monitoring.
• Removal of simple sutures and clips where appropriately trained and competent.
• Escalation of concerns regarding wound healing, infection, or deterioration.
• Support the management of patients with hypertension by:
• Measuring and recording blood pressure accurately.
• Providing lifestyle advice in accordance with practice protocols.
• Identifying and escalating abnormal readings to the appropriate clinician.
• Undertake basic asthma reviews within agreed protocols, including:
• Recording symptoms and asthma control questionnaires.
• Assessing inhaler technique.
• Recording peak flow measurements where indicated.
• Providing self-management and lifestyle advice.
• Escalating concerns or poorly controlled asthma to the Practice Nurse or GP.
• Undertake routine clinical observations including:
• Blood pressure.
• Height and weight measurements.
• BMI calculation.
• Pulse rate.
• Oxygen saturation.
• Temperature.
• Diabetic Foot checks
• Assist with health promotion activities and patient education as directed by clinicians.
• Support nursing and GP clinics by:
• Preparing consulting rooms.
• Chaperoning patients when required.
• Assisting with minor procedures.
• Ensuring equipment is available, clean, and functioning correctly.

About us

Moulton Medical Centre is a friendly, progressive and well-established rural dispensing practice in South Lincolnshire, situated approximately 5 miles from Spalding, 17 miles from Bourne and 20 miles from Peterborough. The area offers excellent road links, highly regarded schools and a great quality of life.

We are proud to provide high-quality, patient-centred care to a stable practice population of approximately 5,600 patients and have developed a strong reputation for teamwork, innovation and supporting our staff.

Our experienced and supportive multidisciplinary team comprises:

• Two GP Partners and one Salaried GP
• Clinical Pharmacist
• Paramedic
• Practice Nurses, including clinicians with specialist interests in Asthma, COPD and Diabetes
• Through our Primary Care Network, we also work closely with First Contact Physiotherapists, Social Prescribers and Health and Wellbeing Coaches, ensuring patients are seen by the most appropriate healthcare professional.

Practice Highlights

• GMS practice using the SystmOne clinical system
• Established Total Triage model, supporting safe and effective workload management
• High QOF achievement and delivery of a broad range of enhanced services
• Dispensing practice serving approximately 95% of our patient population
• In-house Minor Surgery and LARC clinics
• Rated 'Good' by the CQC
• Active involvement with our ICB, Primary Care Network, Patient Participation Group and the wider community

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Duties

• Undertake wound care management, including:
• Dressing changes.
• Basic wound assessment and monitoring.
• Removal of simple sutures and clips where appropriately trained and competent.
• Escalation of concerns regarding wound healing, infection, or deterioration.
• Support the management of patients with hypertension by:
• Measuring and recording blood pressure accurately.
• Providing lifestyle advice in accordance with practice protocols.
• Identifying and escalating abnormal readings to the appropriate clinician.
• Undertake basic asthma reviews within agreed protocols, including:
• Recording symptoms and asthma control questionnaires.
• Assessing inhaler technique.
• Recording peak flow measurements where indicated.
• Providing self-management and lifestyle advice.
• Escalating concerns or poorly controlled asthma to the Practice Nurse or GP.
• Undertake routine clinical observations including:
• Blood pressure.
• Height and weight measurements.
• BMI calculation.
• Pulse rate.
• Oxygen saturation.
• Temperature.
• Diabetic Foot checks
• Assist with health promotion activities and patient education as directed by clinicians.
• Support nursing and GP clinics by:
• Preparing consulting rooms.
• Chaperoning patients when required.
• Assisting with minor procedures.
• Ensuring equipment is available, clean, and functioning correctly.

Administrative and Organisational Duties

• Accurately document clinical activity within the electronic patient record system.
• Maintain stock levels of clinical supplies and dressings.
• Assist with ordering and storage of clinical consumables.
• Ensure clinical rooms are stocked, clean, and prepared for use.
• Adhere to practice policies, procedures, and infection prevention and control standards.

General Responsibilities

• Work within the boundaries of competence and seek support when required.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with data protection regulations.
• Participate in mandatory training and continuing professional development.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives within the practice.
• Attend team meetings and training sessions as required.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent).
• Evidence of relevant healthcare assistant training.

Experience

• Previous experience working as a Healthcare Assistant in a GP practice, community setting, outpatient service, or similar healthcare environment.
• Experience of wound care and dressing management.
• Experience undertaking clinical observations, including blood pressure measurement.
• Experience supporting long-term condition monitoring.
• Experience working directly with patients in a healthcare setting.

Knowledge and Skills

• Understanding of infection prevention and control principles.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain accurate clinical records.
• Competent in measuring and recording physiological observations.
• Basic understanding of asthma management and inhaler technique.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently within agreed protocols.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage time effectively.
• Basic IT skills and experience using electronic patient record systems.

Personal Attributes

• Caring, professional, and patient-focused approach.
• Reliable and organised.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to confidentiality and professional standards.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience working within General Practice.
• Experience supporting hypertension reviews.
• Experience supporting asthma reviews.
• Experience in suture or clip removal.
• Knowledge of primary care pathways and services.
• Experience using SystmOne or similar clinical systems.

Working Conditions

The post holder will work within a busy General Practice. The role requires direct patient contact and adherence to infection prevention and control procedures at all times.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Care Certificate or equivalent qualification.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Check
• This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Experience

Essential

• Experience working within a healthcare setting.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in General Practice or Primary Care.
• Experience undertaking ECGs.
• Experience carrying out NHS Health Checks.
• Knowledge of chronic disease management.
• Experience using Systmone
• Awareness of CQC standards and infection prevention and control procedures.