Job summary
Working as an integral member of the primary care multidisciplinary team, the Healthcare Assistant (HCA) will support the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care to patients across the practice.
The role may involve working across different practice sites and supporting different patient populations according to service requirements.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will undertake a range of clinical and non-clinical duties within their level of competence, working under appropriate delegation and supervision from registered healthcare professionals. The HCA will contribute to health promotion, prevention, long-term condition management and the delivery of routine clinical services.
The post holder will work collaboratively with GPs, nurses, healthcare professionals, administrative colleagues and wider members of the multidisciplinary team to support high-quality patient care and effective practice delivery.
About us
Primary Care Sheffield (PCS) is a not-for-profit healthcare organisation delivering NHS services across Sheffield, including primary care, community services and mental health. We work in partnership with NHS organisations, GP practices and local communities to break down barriers to different types of services and bring high-quality, accessible care closer to the places people live.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, they shape how we work and how we treat one another, our values are to be innovative, open, person-centred, ambitious and empowering. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where our people can develop, contribute ideas and make a meaningful difference to the patients and communities we serve.
PCS is a Disability Confident employer committed to a supportive and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If you need reasonable adjustments or additional support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply.
Your application is an opportunity to tell us about you. We encourage you to use your own words to describe your experience, achievements, and motivation. Whilst AI tools may be used to help structure or proofread your application, the content must be an authentic reflection of your own knowledge and experience with applications that include unedited AI-generated text such as placeholder wording, prompts or template instructions, automatically declined.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical duties
The Healthcare Assistant may undertake the following activities, subject to appropriate training, competency assessment, delegation and local protocols:
Undertake phlebotomy and the safe collection, handling and processing of blood samples.
Undertake routine health checks and NHS Health Checks, where appropriately trained.
Undertake blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, height, weight and BMI measurements.
Undertake blood glucose and HbA1c testing where appropriate and within competency.
Support the monitoring and review of patients with long-term conditions as delegated by the clinical team.
Undertake pre-diabetes and diabetes-related checks, including foot assessments, where appropriately trained.
Undertake basic wound care and dressing changes within competence and according to agreed clinical protocols.
Undertake ear irrigation/microsuction-related procedures where appropriately trained and assessed as competent.
Administer B12 injections where appropriately trained, competent and working under appropriate clinical delegation.
Support the delivery of vaccination programmes, including flu vaccinations, where appropriately trained, authorised and assessed as competent.
Support other vaccination activity as required and within the scope of training and competence.
Process and manage laboratory samples requested by GPs, nurses and other authorised clinicians, ensuring correct identification, labelling, storage and transportation.
Undertake clinical observations and other delegated investigations as requested by registered healthcare professionals.
Undertake chaperoning duties in accordance with practice policy.
Undertake specific clinical activities for named patients where these have been appropriately delegated, taught and assessed as competent.
Recognise and appropriately escalate abnormal clinical findings, changes in a patient's condition or concerns regarding their health and wellbeing.
Support clinicians in the monitoring and surveillance of patients' health where appropriate.
Patient care and health promotion
Provide patients with appropriate information and health promotion advice within the scope of the role.
Encourage patients to engage with preventative healthcare, screening, vaccination and healthy lifestyle interventions.
Support patients to understand the purpose of investigations and routine health checks, escalating questions outside the HCA's scope to an appropriate clinician.
Recognise barriers to accessing healthcare and raise these with the wider clinical team where appropriate.
Promote a positive, respectful and inclusive experience for all patients.
Infection prevention and control
Work in accordance with practice infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
Maintain high standards of hand hygiene and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
Clean and maintain clinical equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidance and local policy.
Ensure clinical environments and equipment are appropriately prepared before, during and after patient care.
Dispose of clinical waste and sharps safely and in accordance with practice policy.
Report infection prevention and control concerns promptly to the appropriate person.
Equipment, stock and clinical environment
Prepare and maintain clinical rooms and equipment to ensure they are safe, clean and appropriately stocked.
Clear, clean and restock consulting and treatment rooms following patient contact.
Monitor clinical consumables and report stock requirements.
Support stock control and ordering of medical consumables as required.
Check clinical equipment is maintained, calibrated and fit for purpose, reporting any concerns promptly.
Support the safe storage and maintenance of clinical equipment and supplies.
Safeguarding and patient safety
Recognise and appropriately escalate safeguarding concerns relating to adults and children.
Follow practice safeguarding policies and procedures and participate in safeguarding training appropriate to the role.
Recognise and report patient safety concerns, incidents, near misses and risks through the appropriate reporting processes.
Maintain awareness of professional boundaries and understand the limitations of the HCA role.
Seek advice and support from a registered healthcare professional whenever a situation falls outside the post holder's competence or delegated responsibilities.
Documentation, confidentiality and information governance
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and appropriate patient records in accordance with practice procedures.
Record clinical observations, investigations and interventions accurately within the appropriate clinical system.
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times and comply with information governance, GDPR and data protection requirements.
Handle patient information securely and only access information required to undertake the role.
Ensure relevant results, concerns or abnormal findings are communicated to the appropriate clinician in a timely manner.
Home visits and community working
Undertake home visits where required and where the activity is appropriate to the role, training and level of competence.
Follow appropriate lone-working, health and safety and risk assessment procedures when working away from the practice.
Escalate concerns identified during home visits to the appropriate registered healthcare professional.
Team working and professional development
Work effectively as part of the wider multidisciplinary primary care team.
Communicate effectively with patients, carers, colleagues and other healthcare professionals.
Attend team meetings, training sessions and supervision as required.
Maintain mandatory and role-specific training requirements.
Participate in competency assessments and maintain competence within the scope of the role.
Identify personal learning and development needs and participate in relevant education and training.
Contribute to service improvement and quality initiatives within the practice.
Support colleagues and contribute to a positive, respectful and inclusive team culture.
General
The post holder will:
Work within the limits of competence and only undertake clinical activities for which appropriate training, assessment and delegation have been provided.
Follow all relevant practice policies, procedures, clinical guidelines and standard operating procedures.
Comply with health and safety, infection prevention and control, safeguarding, information governance and confidentiality requirements.
Report any concerns regarding patient care, clinical practice, equipment, staffing or the working environment to the appropriate manager or clinician.
Maintain professional standards of behaviour and treat patients, carers and colleagues with dignity and respect.
Support equality, diversity and inclusion and provide care that recognises and respects individual needs, preferences and circumstances.
Participate in practice audits, quality improvement and service development activity where appropriate.
Be flexible in supporting the needs of the practice and wider primary care service.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Ability to use initiative and work independently
- Competent to undertake HCA
- Administration tasks
Desirable
- Wound Care, Suture removal /Clips
- Urinalysis
- Health Promotion
- Ear Irrigation
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills
- Committed to providing patient centred care
- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
- Self-motivated
- Willingness to develop and learn new skills
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Ill or relevant equivalent training, knowledge and experience in a Health Care Assistant profession.
- Phlebotomy training
- Experience in undertaking Nursing observations
Desirable
- Wound Management
- Vaccination training
Experience
Essential
- Working with people including those from different cultures and backgrounds
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary care
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Primary Care Sheffield
Address
2 Harold Street
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S6 3QW
United Kingdom
Employer's website
http://www.primarycaresheffield.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Health Care Assistant in Sheffield employer: Primary Care Sheffield
Primary Care Sheffield (PCS) is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing the quality of primary care services in Sheffield. With a strong focus on employee development, PCS offers comprehensive training and growth opportunities within a supportive and collaborative work culture. Working at either North Darnall or Heeley Green Surgery not only allows you to make a meaningful impact on patient care but also provides a chance to be part of a team that values health equity and community well-being.
