Health Care Assistant in Blandford Forum

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Health Care Assistant with experience in primary or secondary care or someone with the skills and personal qualities looking to train as a Health Care Assistant. Working under the supervision of the Practice Nurses and strictly in accordance with specific Practice guidelines and protocols, the Healthcare Assistant will assist the Practice clinical team in the provision and delivery of prescribed programmes of patient care. For those without previous experience, we offer a comprehensive training pathway, and completion of the recognised Care Certificate. Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and proof of Right to Work will be required upon successful appointment. Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job:

• The successful applicant will join our existing HCA team who play a key role in supporting our patients with a range of duties like taking bloods, blood pressure readings, cleaning surgical equipment, vaccine restocking and administrative support.

About us:

At the Blandford Group Practice we are passionate about making a difference to our patients' health and wellbeing and we were rated 'Outstanding' by CQC in Autumn 2025. We pride ourselves on being a friendly and welcoming team. We deliver NHS services from three surgeries across Blandford and employ a variety of non-clinical staff and health professionals such as GPs, Nurses, Mental Health Practitioners, Pharmacists and Paramedics. We are part of the NHS Pension Scheme.

Key Responsibilities:

• ECG recording
• Blood glucose checks using in-house machines
• Processing and management of laboratory samples requested by GPs/Nurses
• Cleaning and maintenance of surgical equipment
• Vaccine/cold chain storage, monitoring and recording
• Surgical equipment and vaccine re-stocking and stock rotation
• Clearing and re-stocking consulting rooms
• Preparing and maintaining environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions including assisting GPs during the performance of minor operations + IUS and IUD fittings
• Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients' health and well-being
• Undertaking specific clinical activities for named patients that have been delegated and taught specifically in relation to that individual
• Helping to raise awareness of health and well-being and how it can be promoted
• Assisting with the collection and collation of data on needs related to health and well-being e.g. height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, urinalysis
• Input accurate READ codes for monitoring and audit purposes
• Scanning as required

Person Specification:

• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team
• Able to work under pressure
• Ability to manage time effectively in a busy clinic
• Ability to self-motivate, organise and prioritise own workload
• Ability to follow protocols and procedures
• Caring and compassionate approach
• High level of integrity and discretion
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent)
• Relevant clinical skills training (e.g. phlebotomy, BP monitoring)
• Care certificate

Experience:

• Previous experience in a general practice environment
• Experience carrying out basic clinical procedures such as: Blood pressure measurement, Height/weight/BMI, Basic observations

Skills and Knowledge:

• Motivated and enthusiastic
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Good interpersonal skills, ability to make effective relationships with others
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent keyboard and computer skills
• Reassure and support patients

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.