Healthcare Assistant in Warrington

We are looking for an enthusiastic Healthcare Assistant who is passionate about prevention and personalised care. We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Healthcare Assistant to join our friendly GP practice team. You will provide high-quality clinical support to patients while also developing skills in personalised care, behaviour change, and health coaching, helping patients improve their physical, mental and social wellbeing. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about prevention, enjoys working with people, and wants to grow their career in primary care.

About You

• Compassionate, caring and patient-focused
• Interested in prevention and personalised care
• Willing to learn and develop new skills
• Able to work well within a multidisciplinary team
• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent)
• Care Certificate or willingness to complete
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 Health & Social Care (or willingness to work towards)
• Experience working with patients or in a care setting
• Basic IT and record-keeping skills
• Experience in primary care
• Interest in coaching or behaviour change

What We Offer

• Full training and structured development pathway
• Supportive multidisciplinary team
• Supervision, mentoring and CPD opportunities
• Career development in modern primary care

Main Duties of the Job

The Healthcare Assistant, HCA, will work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team to support patients in improving their health outcomes, self-managing long-term conditions, and accessing appropriate health and wellbeing services. The post holder will undertake clinical Healthcare Assistant duties under the supervision of registered clinicians whilst also providing personalised care and health coaching support in line with the Personalised Care Institute framework and NHS England's Personalised Care agenda. The role will focus on empowering patients to take an active role in managing their health, reducing health inequalities, promoting prevention, and supporting individuals to access community resources that improve their physical, mental, and social wellbeing. The post holder must hold a Level 2 or Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker qualification or be willing to work towards achieving this qualification within an agreed timeframe.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake routine clinical observations including:
• Blood pressure measurement
• Height and weight
• BMI calculation
• Pulse and oxygen saturation
• Temperature monitoring
• Urinalysis
• Perform NHS Health Checks following appropriate training.
• Undertake venepuncture where appropriately trained and competent.
• Support chronic disease monitoring clinics including:
• Diabetes
• COPD
• Asthma
• Carry out ECGs following training and competency assessment.
• Support vaccination and immunisation programmes.
• Perform smoking status assessments and brief interventions.
• Assist clinicians with clinical procedures as required.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of information within the patient record.
• Maintain infection prevention and control standards.
• Ensure equipment is maintained and calibrated appropriately.
• Support patients to improve:
• Physical activity levels
• Weight management
• Healthy eating
• Signpost and connect patients with local services and community resources.
• Support patients experiencing social isolation or barriers to accessing healthcare.
• Work collaboratively with Social Prescribing Link Workers, Care Coordinators, Nurses, GPs and wider community services.
• Promote prevention and early intervention initiatives.

Community Health and Wellbeing Worker Functions

• Act as a trusted link between the practice and local communities.
• Proactively identify patients who may benefit from additional support.
• Engage with underserved populations and those experiencing health inequalities.
• Support patients to navigate health and care systems.
• Promote uptake of screening, vaccination and prevention programmes.
• Help patients overcome barriers to accessing healthcare.
• Support community outreach and engagement activities.
• Develop awareness of local community assets and voluntary sector organisations.

Administration and Governance

• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records.
• Comply with practice policies, protocols and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality in line with GDPR and NHS requirements.
• Participate in clinical supervision, appraisals and mandatory training.
• Contribute to audits, service development and quality improvement projects.
• Work within agreed competencies and seek support when required.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent.
• Care Certificate or willingness to complete.
• NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 in Health and Social Care/Healthcare Support or willingness to work towards achieving.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience working within a healthcare, care or community setting.
• Experience working directly with patients or service users.
• Experience maintaining confidential records.
• Experience working within Primary Care.
• Experience supporting patients with long-term conditions.
• Experience of health coaching, behaviour change or motivational interviewing.
• Venepuncture competency.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build rapport with patients from diverse backgrounds.
• Understanding of person-centred care.
• Ability to motivate and empower individuals.
• Basic IT skills and use of clinical systems.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Personal Attributes

• Compassionate and caring approach.
• Positive and enthusiastic attitude.
• Commitment to reducing health inequalities.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and development.

Key Performance Indicators

• Number of NHS Health Checks completed.
• Patient engagement with personalised care planning.
• Improved patient activation and self-management.
• Reduction in missed appointments.
• Increased uptake of screening and prevention programmes.
• Achievement of agreed health and wellbeing outcomes.

Professional Development

• Complete or maintain HCA qualifications.
• Undertake Health and Wellbeing Coach training.
• Complete Personalised Care Institute accredited learning.
• Develop skills in motivational interviewing and behaviour change.
• Progress within Primary Care workforce career pathways.

About Us

We are a medium sized practice located in Warrington serving a population of around 8,200 patients. The practice has a friendly, supportive team who work closely. This consists of 4 GP partners, 1 salaried GP, 2 advanced nurse practitioners, 2 practice nurses, 2 clinical pharmacists, 1 healthcare assistant, 1 manager and a team of 11 administrators. We are part of an active PCN and have good working relationships while sharing good practice with one another.

Experience

• Experience of working within a nursing team
• Experience of dealing with vulnerable patients
• Experience of working in primary care
• Experience of working in a GP practice

Qualifications

• GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths
• Qualified in Phlebotomy
• Qualified to NVQ level 2 or happy to work towards
• Qualified in the HCA Care certificate or happy to work towards

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.