Housebound HCA

About Us

The Confederation, Hillingdon CIC is a not‑for‑profit community interest company that works with General Practice and other healthcare providers to deliver its vision for “Hillingdon to deliver the best primary care outcomes for patients in the whole of London”. The company supports individual GP practices, PCNs and neighbourhoods, delivers excellent clinical services at scale, and acts as the provider representative voice for local general practice within the NHS and other partners. It remains independent, innovative and transformational.

Job Summary

We have an exciting opportunity to appoint Housebound Healthcare Assistants to join our dynamic and friendly operations team. Post holders will be confident in dealing with patients, able to work independently while escalating concerns proactively. They will deliver services such as phlebotomy, 24 hr BP monitoring, ECGs, Warfarin Monitoring, Atrial Fibrillation Monitoring, immunisations, spirometry, NHS health checks and diabetic foot checks to vulnerable patients in Hillingdon homes. The role involves travelling between clinical sites and patient homes within the borough and up to 1 mile outside of it.

Primary Responsibilities

• Make oneself available for a variety of duties including phlebotomy, ECG, AF monitoring, post‑operative dressings, pill checks, immunisations, spirometry, BP checks, NHS health checks and diabetic foot checks according to agreed protocols (training will be provided).
• Assess the health needs of patients with chronic conditions and determine whether further input is required.
• Report potential safeguarding concerns immediately.
• Screen patients for disease risk factors and early signs of illness.
• Contribute to QOF and PCN requirements and record data appropriately.
• In consultation with patients and in line with current practice disease‑management protocols, develop care plans for health‑related illnesses.
• Screen patients for health education opportunities.
• Admit and discharge patients from the caseload and refer to other care providers as appropriate.
• Record clear and contemporaneous consultation notes to agreed standards.
• Collect data for audit purposes and contribute to the practice audit programme as required.
• Take responsibility for aspects of clinical work within the team, such as coordinating governance, QOF, enhanced services, CPD and keeping clinical protocols up to date.
• Undertake all normal duties and responsibilities of a healthcare assistant working within primary care.

Collaborative Working Relationships

• Foster and maintain strong links with all services across the PCN and neighbouring networks.
• Explore opportunities for collaborative working and initiate and sustain such relationships.
• Use appropriate communication to gain the cooperation of relevant stakeholders (including patients, senior and peer colleagues, and other professionals and NHS/private organisations).
• Recognise personal limitations and refer to more suitable colleagues when necessary.
• Liaise with other stakeholders as needed for the collective benefit of patients.

Professional Development

• Work with the line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development, reviewing and developing the role and responsibilities.
• Engage in one‑to‑one meetings with the line manager monthly to discuss targets and outcomes achieved.
• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety.
• Review yearly progress and develop clear plans to achieve results within priorities set by others.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• Recognise priorities when problem‑solving and identify deviations from normal patterns, referring to seniors when appropriate.
• Follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies/procedures and codes of conduct.

Education, Training and Development

• Demonstrate self‑development through continuous professional development activity.
• Maintain training and updates on expected skills such as IM injection training and SPIRO updates.
• Complete all mandatory training within expected timelines.
• Attend training as expected to support service delivery and maintain standards.

Leadership

• Demonstrate understanding of, and contribute to, the workplace vision.
• Improve quality within service limitations.
• Develop clear plans to achieve results within priorities set by others.
• Motivate self to achieve goals.
• Promote diversity and equality in people management techniques and lead by example.

Health and Safety / Risk Management

• Comply with all local health and safety policies, following safe working procedures and reporting incidents via the Incident Reporting System.
• Comply with the Data Protection Act (1984) and the Access to Health Records Act (1990).
• Follow expectations set by operations management for safety and lone working.
• Follow all infection control processes.

Equality and Diversity

• Cooperate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment.
• Treat co‑workers, patients and visitors equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

Patient Confidentiality

• Respect patient confidentiality at all times, including electronically stored personal data, in line with GDPR and the Confederation Information Governance Policy.
• Do not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the line manager and required for the role.

Communication & Working Relationships

• Establish and maintain effective communication pathways with project team members at all times.

Special Working Conditions

• Required to travel independently between sites (where applicable) and attend meetings hosted by other agencies.

Job Description Agreement

This job description outlines the key tasks and responsibilities. Other duties may be required. It is subject to regular review and amendment. Staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties to maintain efficient service delivery.

Person Specification – Essential Criteria

• Eligible to work in the UK.
• Able to carry out duties with or without premises adaptation.
• Completed Care Certificate Training or working towards completion.
• Full driving licence with appropriate insurance and access to own vehicle.
• Experience working within the NHS, with the general public and team work.
• Well‑developed IT skills and enthusiasm for new applications and software.
• Good time management and highly organised.
• Use of initiative, judgement, resourcefulness, common sense and local knowledge.
• Interest in quality improvement work.
• Able to obtain and analyse complex technical information.
• Recognise priorities when problem‑solving and refer to seniors when appropriate.
• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Experience working within primary care.
• Work effectively independently and as a team member.
• Deliver professional expertise and direct service provision.
• Self‑motivation and adaptability.
• Immunisation status – Hep B / MMR.