NHS GP - Health Care Assistant

The GP Healthcare Assistant (HCA) plays a key role in delivering high-quality patient care within the general practice team. Working under the supervision of GPs and Practice Nurses, the HCA provides a wide range of clinical services. We are a friendly, supportive and proactive team, looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join us.

Main duties of the job

• Duties include phlebotomy, electrocardiograms (ECGs), 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), NHS Health Checks, mental health reviews, carers health reviews, and cardiovascular, renal and metabolic (CRM) register assessments.
• The role also supports the proactive management of long-term conditions, health promotion, preventative care, and chronic disease monitoring, ensuring patients receive timely, evidence-based care while contributing to the achievement of practice quality and population health objectives.

About us

Stanhope Mews Surgery is a well-established, patient-centred GP practice providing care to approximately 16,000 patients. We are a recognised GP training practice, regularly supporting GP Registrars and ST1, ST2 and ST3 trainees as part of their clinical development. Our multidisciplinary team comprises three GP partners, ten salaried GPs, two practice nurses, one Healthcare Assistant, and a dedicated administrative and reception team. We are committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based primary care, consistently achieving excellent clinical outcomes while maintaining patient-centred care at the heart of everything we do.

Job responsibilities

The Healthcare Assistant (HCA) is an integral member of the primary care multidisciplinary team, providing high-quality, patient-centred clinical care under the supervision of the GPs and Practice Nurses. The post holder will support the delivery of preventative healthcare, chronic disease management, and national screening programmes while contributing to the achievement of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators, Primary Care Network (PCN) priorities, and practice performance targets. The HCA will undertake a range of clinical procedures, health assessments and long-term condition monitoring, ensuring patients receive safe, effective and compassionate care.

Key Responsibilities

• Clinical Duties
  • Undertake venepuncture (phlebotomy) in accordance with practice protocols.
  • Perform and accurately record 12-lead Electrocardiograms (ECGs).
  • Fit, remove and process 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitors (ABPMs).
  • Measure and record blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, height, weight, BMI and temperature.
  • Perform urinalysis and other point-of-care testing as required.
  • Assist with wound care, dressings and other delegated clinical procedures within competency.
  • Ensure all equipment is cleaned, calibrated and maintained according to infection prevention and control standards.
• NHS Health Checks and Preventative Care
  • Deliver NHS Health Checks to eligible patients.
  • Hold recognised training in the delivery and interpretation of NHS Health Checks, including cardiovascular risk assessment and lifestyle advice.
  • Calculate and explain cardiovascular risk scores where appropriate.
  • Provide personalised health promotion advice on smoking cessation, weight management, diet, alcohol consumption and physical activity.
  • Escalate abnormal findings to the appropriate clinician.
• Long-Term Condition Management
  • Undertake Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic (CRM) register assessments in accordance with PCN and practice protocols.
  • Support chronic disease monitoring clinics including hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.
  • Complete structured reviews and identify patients requiring GP or Practice Nurse follow-up.
  • Support annual recalls and proactive patient management.
• Quality Improvement and Performance
  • Support the practice in achieving Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators.
  • Contribute to Primary Care Network (PCN) objectives and local enhanced services.
  • Assist with disease register validation, patient recalls and clinical coding.
  • Maintain accurate and timely electronic patient records using the clinical system.
  • Participate in audits, quality improvement projects and service development initiatives.
• Patient Reviews
  • Undertake Carers Health Checks and ensure appropriate referrals and support are offered.
  • Assist with Mental Health physical health reviews where appropriate and within competency.
  • Identify safeguarding concerns and escalate in accordance with practice policy.
  • Provide compassionate, holistic and patient-centred care to all patients.
• Communication and Team Working
  • Work collaboratively with GPs, Practice Nurses, the wider multidisciplinary team and administrative staff.
  • Communicate effectively with patients, carers and external healthcare professionals.
  • Participate in clinical meetings, mandatory training and practice development activities.
  • Support GP Registrars, medical students and other learners where appropriate.
• Professional Responsibilities
  • Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with GDPR and NHS information governance requirements.
  • Work within the HCA scope of practice, recognising personal limitations and seeking clinical support when required.
  • Maintain competence through continuing professional development and mandatory training.
  • Adhere to practice policies, infection prevention and control procedures, health and safety legislation, and safeguarding requirements.

Person Specification

• Experience
  • Experience performing ECGs and ABPM fitting.
  • Experience working within a GP Practice or Primary Care setting.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience undertaking CRM (Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic) register assessments.
  • Experience completing carers health checks and mental health physical health reviews.
  • Experience with SystmOne.
• Qualifications
  • Care Certificate or equivalent.
  • Competency in phlebotomy.
  • Training in delivering and interpreting NHS Health Checks.

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.

£16 to £19 an hour Work week = 32hrs / Annual salary = Rate x 32 x 52.14