Healthcare Assistant and GP Assistant

We are looking for a friendly, enthusiastic and reliable Healthcare Assistant / GP Assistant to join our supportive team at Yellow Practice in Walton-on-Thames. This is a varied full-time role combining clinical Healthcare Assistant duties with GP Assistant, reception and administrative support. It is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with patients while also enjoying the variety and teamwork of general practice.

You will undertake a range of clinical duties including phlebotomy, blood pressure monitoring, ECGs, NHS Health Checks and long-term condition monitoring, while supporting our GPs and wider practice team with patient care and day-to-day activities. We are a small, friendly and forward-thinking practice where everyone works closely together to provide high-quality care. Previous primary care experience would be an advantage, but we are also interested in finding the right person: someone who is caring, dependable, organised and proactive. Training and support can be provided to help you develop within the role.

The post holder will undertake a varied range of clinical Healthcare Assistant duties alongside GP Assistant, reception and administrative responsibilities. Clinical duties will include phlebotomy, blood pressure monitoring, ECGs, height, weight and BMI measurements, urinalysis, NHS Health Checks and supporting long-term condition monitoring. Depending on experience, training and competency, the role may also include wound care, dressings and other appropriately delegated clinical procedures.

The post holder will support GPs and other clinicians with patient care, maintain clinical rooms, monitor and order stock, follow infection prevention and control procedures and provide chaperoning when required. The role will also include reception and administrative duties such as assisting patients face-to-face and by telephone, booking appointments, processing patient requests and supporting the day-to-day running of the practice. The successful candidate will need to work flexibly across these responsibilities and contribute positively to the wider practice team. Appropriate training and support will be provided.

The Healthcare Assistant and GP Assistant will work as an important member of the practice team supporting the delivery of high quality patient care and the effective day to day running of the practice. The role combines clinical Healthcare Assistant responsibilities with GP Assistant reception and administrative duties. The post holder will work under appropriate clinical supervision and within their level of training and competency. They will be expected to work flexibly according to patient and practice needs.

Clinical Responsibilities

• The post holder will undertake appropriately delegated clinical duties which may include phlebotomy and preparation of samples, blood pressure and pulse monitoring, height, weight and body mass index measurements, electrocardiogram recording, urinalysis, health checks and basic health and lifestyle observations.
• The post holder may support long term condition monitoring including diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory reviews by undertaking appropriate observations and tests.
• Depending on experience, training and competency, the role may also include wound care, dressings, removal of sutures or clips and other appropriately delegated clinical procedures.
• The post holder will prepare patients and clinical rooms for examinations, assist clinicians with procedures, provide chaperoning when required, recognise and elevate abnormal observations or concerns and accurately record clinical information in the patient record.

GP Assistant Responsibilities

• The post holder will support GPs and other clinicians with appropriately delegated tasks. This may include preparing patients for review, obtaining relevant observations, supporting routine patient related administrative tasks, processing appropriate correspondence and documentation, arranging follow up appointments, investigations or reviews as directed and communicating routine information to patients.
• The post holder will also support recall and monitoring systems, help coordinate patient care and ensure agreed actions are completed.

Reception and Administrative Responsibilities

• As part of a small practice team, the post holder will provide reception and administrative support. This will include greeting and assisting patients, answering telephone calls, booking, cancelling and amending appointments, processing patient requests and directing patients to the appropriate service or member of the team.
• The role may also include processing administrative tasks and correspondence, scanning, filing, accurately recording information, supporting recall monitoring and follow up processes and providing general administrative support to ensure the smooth running of the practice.

Clinical Rooms, Equipment and Stock

• The post holder will help maintain safe, organised and effective clinical areas. Responsibilities will include preparing and maintaining clinical rooms, ensuring equipment and consumables are available, monitoring stock levels and expiry dates, requesting or ordering stock, cleaning clinical equipment and reporting equipment faults or concerns promptly.

Infection Prevention and Control

• The post holder will follow practice infection prevention and control policies and procedures including appropriate hand hygiene, use of protective equipment, safe disposal of clinical waste and sharps, cleaning of equipment and maintaining appropriate standards within clinical areas.

Safeguarding

• The post holder will complete appropriate safeguarding training, remain alert to potential safeguarding concerns, follow practice safeguarding procedures and elevate concerns promptly to the appropriate clinician or safeguarding lead.

Patient Safety

• The post holder will follow practice policies, procedures and clinical protocols, recognise the limits of their role and seek advice when required. They will elevate abnormal clinical observations and urgent concerns appropriately, maintain accurate and timely patient records and report incidents, near misses and patient safety concerns.

Communication and Teamwork

• The post holder will communicate professionally and compassionately with patients, carers and colleagues and work collaboratively with GPs, healthcare professionals, reception and administrative colleagues. They will contribute positively to the practice team, attend relevant meetings and training, communicate concerns promptly and treat patients, colleagues and visitors with dignity and respect.

Confidentiality and Information Governance

• The post holder will maintain the confidentiality of patient, staff and practice information. Patient information must only be accessed where there is a legitimate work-related reason and all information must be handled in accordance with relevant practice and information governance requirements.

Health and Safety

• The post holder will comply with practice health and safety policies and take reasonable care of their own safety and that of colleagues, patients and visitors. Hazards, accidents, incidents and faulty equipment must be reported promptly.

Equality, Diversity and Dignity

• The post holder will support the practice's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and treat all patients, carers, visitors and colleagues fairly and with dignity and respect.

Training and Development

• The post holder will participate in induction, mandatory training, competency assessments and ongoing development relevant to the role. Training and support may be provided to develop additional Healthcare Assistant and GP Assistant skills according to practice needs and the experience of the successful candidate. The post holder must not undertake a clinical procedure independently until appropriately trained and assessed as competent where required.

Quality Improvement

• The post holder will contribute to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care. This may include participating in audits, monitoring programmes, patient safety initiatives and service improvement activities.

General Responsibilities

• The post holder will work flexibly according to the needs of the practice, maintain professional standards, follow relevant practice policies and procedures, maintain accurate records, participate in appraisal and training and undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the level and nature of the role. This job description provides an outline of the main responsibilities of the post and is not intended to be exhaustive. Duties may change according to the needs of the practice, developments within primary care and the skills and competencies of the post holder. All clinical duties must be undertaken within the post holder's training, competence and scope of practice and under appropriate clinical supervision.

Good standard of general education including English and Maths or equivalent. Relevant healthcare experience or a recognised Healthcare Assistant, Healthcare Support Worker or equivalent qualification. Willingness to undertake training and competency assessments relevant to the role. Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

Healthcare related qualification at Level Two or Level Three or equivalent. Phlebotomy training and competency. Training in electrocardiograms, NHS Health Checks, wound care or long term condition monitoring. Care Certificate or equivalent healthcare training. Previous training or qualification relevant to general practice or primary care.

Previous experience working in a healthcare or patient facing environment. Experience communicating effectively with patients and members of the public. Experience working as part of a team. Experience maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information. Experience using computer systems and accurately recording information. Ability to manage a varied workload and work effectively in a busy environment.

Previous experience working as a Healthcare Assistant, GP Assistant or Healthcare Support Worker. Previous experience working within general practice or primary care. Experience and competency in phlebotomy. Experience undertaking blood pressure monitoring, electrocardiograms, NHS Health Checks and long term condition observations. Experience of wound care and dressings. Experience using EMIS Web or another clinical system. Experience of reception or administrative work within a healthcare setting.

Yellow Practice is a friendly, forward-thinking GP practice based in Walton-on-Thames, providing NHS primary care services to our local community. We are a small and supportive team including GPs, healthcare professionals, reception and administrative staff who work closely together to provide high-quality, patient-centred care. We value teamwork, kindness, reliability and a positive approach, and encourage everyone to contribute ideas and play an active part in developing our services. Our size allows team members to get to know both colleagues and patients and to make a genuine contribution to the practice. We provide a varied working environment with opportunities to develop clinical and primary care skills, supported by experienced members of the team. We are committed to continuous improvement, staff development and creating an environment where people feel supported and valued. This role offers an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety.