Job summary
At Downend Health Group, we are looking for a part-time Health Care Assistant (24 working hours per week) to perform health care for patients.
For further details email: bnssg.dhg-hr@nhs.net
Closing date for applications: Friday, 5th December 2025
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, you are encouraged to submit your application as early as possible.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will provide and maintain a high standard of health care for patients, and to provide nursing assistance to the GP/Nursing teams and other members of the Primary Health Care Team (PHCT).
About us
At Downend Health Group, our team and their wellbeing are some of our key priorities. The organisation has grown from humble beginnings with a skeleton staff, to a workforce of over 100 employees, providing services from two purpose-built surgeries.
We are here to look after you as much as we are able. We have a range of policies to help staff from a Menopause Policy to resources on Mental Wellbeing. We also understand that flexibility is key to a successful work- life balance and where possible, we offer flexibility in working patterns to accommodate your needs.
Downend Health Group know that all work and no play isn't great for anyone - we hold social gatherings, we run sweepstakes on sporting events and deliver a monthly reward scheme that recognises employees who have gone the extra mile. We value you and your commitment to the practice and like to recognise this with small tokens of appreciation.
Our recruitment process is fast and friendly, at interview we offer a relaxed approach which we think is the best environment for you to learn a little about us and where we can get to know you. We wont keep you waiting long on our decision either and will respond to you as quickly as possible. We welcome applications for our non-clinical roles no matter what your career background. Our workforce team is built around common goals and values, and empathy and patience are key attributes, we also value your life skills which we believe are transferable to our workplace.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Health Care Assistant will perform routine tasks related to patient
care as directed by the Nurse Manager and Lead GP. Such tasks may include but
are not exclusive to:
-
Venepuncture
/ Urine Culture / any other relevant pathological tests;
-
General
lifestyle advice including dietary, lifestyle, alcohol and smoking advice;
-
Height
and Weight Monitoring
-
New
Patient Health Checks / MOTs/ NHS Health Checks;
-
Support-to-Stop
Smoking Clinics
-
Investigative
Procedures including ECGs, Peak Flow, Spirometry, Urinalysis, BP;
-
Ability
to recognise and manage anaphylaxis according to current UK guidelines;
-
Ability
to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to current UK
guidelines;
-
Health
Promotion and Motivational Interviewing;
-
Assisting
GPs with procedures such as Minor Surgery, Coil Fits/Removals etc.;
-
Chaperoning
and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another
clinician;
-
Ensure
infection control / health and safety guidelines are adhered to;
-
Ability
to monitor and manage maintenance of stock and equipment to include refrigeration
and emergency equipment, as well as Cold Chain maintenance;
-
Preparation
of specimens / blood samples in accordance with training and procedures;
-
Completing
Long Term Condition physical checks, e.g. diabetes
-
Ear
Syringing / Ear Care (following specific training);
-
Injections
including B12s, Influenza etc. (under PSDs);
-
Onwards
referrals as instructed by other health care professionals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Health Care Assistant will perform routine tasks related to patient
care as directed by the Nurse Manager and Lead GP. Such tasks may include but
are not exclusive to:
-
Venepuncture
/ Urine Culture / any other relevant pathological tests;
-
General
lifestyle advice including dietary, lifestyle, alcohol and smoking advice;
-
Height
and Weight Monitoring
-
New
Patient Health Checks / MOTs/ NHS Health Checks;
-
Support-to-Stop
Smoking Clinics
-
Investigative
Procedures including ECGs, Peak Flow, Spirometry, Urinalysis, BP;
-
Ability
to recognise and manage anaphylaxis according to current UK guidelines;
-
Ability
to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to current UK
guidelines;
-
Health
Promotion and Motivational Interviewing;
-
Assisting
GPs with procedures such as Minor Surgery, Coil Fits/Removals etc.;
-
Chaperoning
and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another
clinician;
-
Ensure
infection control / health and safety guidelines are adhered to;
-
Ability
to monitor and manage maintenance of stock and equipment to include refrigeration
and emergency equipment, as well as Cold Chain maintenance;
-
Preparation
of specimens / blood samples in accordance with training and procedures;
-
Completing
Long Term Condition physical checks, e.g. diabetes
-
Ear
Syringing / Ear Care (following specific training);
-
Injections
including B12s, Influenza etc. (under PSDs);
-
Onwards
referrals as instructed by other health care professionals.
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills;
- Excellent interpersonal skills;
- Good personal organisation;
- Good keyboard and computer skills.
Desirable
- Ability to demonstrate enthusiasm in developing clinical skills;
- Ability to use Microsoft Outlook;
- Ability to use MS Word and Excel;
- Ability to learn new software.
Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality;
- Commitment to ensuring equity of access to health care for all;
- Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense;
- Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities;
- Be organised and reliable;
- Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team;
- Pleasant and articulate;
- Able to work under pressure;
- Able to work in a changing environment;
- To be caring and have a warm and friendly nature.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of caring for others;
- Demonstrable experience of working as part of a team;
- Demonstrable experience of working in partnership with other agencies;
- Experience of Phlebotomy;
- Competent in basic HCA duties;( to include Hypertension checks, Diabetes checks, NHS checks, Support to Stop Smoking, Wound care)
- Experience of using EMIS Web;
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care;
- Specific training for Primary Care
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills;
- Excellent interpersonal skills;
- Good personal organisation;
- Good keyboard and computer skills.
Desirable
- Ability to demonstrate enthusiasm in developing clinical skills;
- Ability to use Microsoft Outlook;
- Ability to use MS Word and Excel;
- Ability to learn new software.
Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality;
- Commitment to ensuring equity of access to health care for all;
- Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense;
- Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities;
- Be organised and reliable;
- Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team;
- Pleasant and articulate;
- Able to work under pressure;
- Able to work in a changing environment;
- To be caring and have a warm and friendly nature.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of caring for others;
- Demonstrable experience of working as part of a team;
- Demonstrable experience of working in partnership with other agencies;
- Experience of Phlebotomy;
- Competent in basic HCA duties;( to include Hypertension checks, Diabetes checks, NHS checks, Support to Stop Smoking, Wound care)
- Experience of using EMIS Web;
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care;
- Specific training for 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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
