GP Healthcare Assistant: Phlebotomy, Obs & Health Promotion

Chiltern House Medical Centre, a dynamic and growing practice in High Wycombe, has an exciting opportunity for a motivated, enthusiastic, and experienced Healthcare Assistant to join our team. The successful candidate will uphold our values of delivering excellent patient care and contribute to our vision of meeting the health needs of our diverse community. Previous experience working as a Healthcare Assistant in an NHS GP practice would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will work as part of an excellent administrative and multidisciplinary clinical team, including GPs, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, and Clinical Pharmacists. We aim to develop positive, supportive, and professional relationships with every patient, clinician, and allied professional we interact with. We use the Emis Web clinical system.

Working hours: Minimum 37.5 hours per week

Main duties of the job:

• Support clinical staff with patient care, including taking observations (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, weight) and recording medical information.
• Assist with basic clinical procedures, dressings, and wound care under supervision.
• Prepare patients for consultations and examinations.
• Perform phlebotomy and other routine clinical tasks, where trained and competent.
• Maintain accurate patient records using clinical systems (e.g., EMIS Web).
• Ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for patients and staff.
• Support health promotion initiatives and provide basic advice on lifestyle and wellbeing.

About us:

Chiltern House Medical Centre is a well-established, patient-focused GP practice based in High Wycombe, committed to delivering high-quality primary care to a diverse community. We provide a wide range of clinical services, including general practice, chronic disease management, preventative care, and health promotion, ensuring our patients receive safe, effective, and compassionate care.

Our multidisciplinary team includes GPs, Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Clinical Pharmacists, and an experienced administrative staff, all working collaboratively to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our patients. At Chiltern House Medical Centre, we value professionalism, teamwork, and patient-centred care, and we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for both patients and staff.

Job responsibilities:

Primary Responsibilities:

• Undertake new patient and NHS 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 the clinical area is adequately stocked and prepared for each session.
• Ensure clinical waste is removed from the clinical area and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the practice IPC policy.
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.
• Carry out any other tasks as directed by the lead nurse in support of patient care.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Participate in practice audit as directed by the audit lead.
• Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care.
• Support and participate in shared learning within the practice.
• Complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with the duty rota.

Person Specification:

• GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths.
• Qualified to NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care.
• Literate and able to perform basic numerical calculations.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.
• Ability to accurately receive, record and relay information both verbally and written.
• Ability to store and retrieve files from numerical, alphabetical and computerised filing systems.
• Computer skills including working with the EMIS Web clinical system.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Ability to organise delegated work.

The candidate must have:

• Health Care Support Experience.
• Phlebotomy.
• Experience of working as a health care assistant or equivalent.
• Knowledge of local community and understanding of a multi-cultural, racially diverse population.
• Awareness of health and safety issues in the workplace.
• Understanding of the need to keep and maintain accurate records.
• Understanding of equal opportunities.
• Understanding of the importance of patient confidentiality and the consequences of breaking confidentiality.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary, multi-agency primary care team.
• Polite and helpful manner.
• Enthusiasm to learn.
• Openness to explore alternative working practices.
• Flexible with working hours.
• Must have Hepatitis B/Covid Vaccine or be willing to undergo a vaccination programme.

Candidates with both clerical and health care support experience will be at an advantage. Those candidates with only one set of experience must demonstrate a willingness to learn the other set of skills.

• Experience of dealing with the public face to face and over the telephone.
• Fluent in one or more languages in the local community and willingness to use this skill in working with the public.
• Reception experience.
• Flexible with working hours.