Job summary
Enhanced Access Health Care Assistant
Gateshead Inner West Primary Care Network (PCN)
Are you caring, reliable, and passionate about supporting patients in a primary care setting? Gateshead Inner West PCN is looking for a dedicated Healthcare Assistant to join our team and help deliver high-quality care across our member practices.
In this important role, you will support the clinical team by carrying out a range of patient-facing duties, including health checks, blood pressure monitoring, phlebotomy, and assisting with long-term condition reviews, all with a strong focus on person-centred care.
This post is offered as a part-time position - 15 hours per week, covering evening and weekend shifts, offering flexibility while playing a key role in supporting our Enhanced Access services.
If you're passionate about delivering excellent patient care, enjoy working as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, and are looking for a rewarding role within a dynamic healthcare environment, wed be delighted to hear from you!
Main duties of the job
The Healthcare Assistant will play a key role in supporting the delivery of Enhanced Access services across the PCN during evening and weekend clinics. Working alongside a multidisciplinary team, the HCA will assist in the smooth running of clinics by providing high-quality, hands-on patient care.
Key responsibilities will include:
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Conducting NHS Health Checks
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Performing phlebotomy (blood taking)
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Monitoring and recording vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, height, and weight
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Supporting long-term condition reviews under clinician guidance
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Assisting with wound care and dressing changes, where appropriate
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Promoting health and wellbeing through brief interventions and lifestyle advice
This is a patient-facing role that requires excellent communication skills, compassion, and a strong focus on providing safe, effective care in a primary care setting.
About us
Based in the Inner West of Gateshead our Primary Care Network serves over 45,000 patients across our five member Practices of: Whickham Medical Cottage, Chainbridge Medical Partnership, Glenpark Medical Practice, Teams Medical Practice & Sunniside Surgery.
We provide integrated services to our local population. Aiming to deliver more personalised, coordinated health and social care for people close to home.
The successful candidate will work alongside our newly established enhanced access team across all five sites.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Support
-
Work under the supervision of a qualified nurse and follow practice guidelines and protocols.
-
Support doctors and nurses in the care and treatment of patients, including preventative care and health promotion.
-
Attend required courses and training sessions to fulfil the requirements of the role.
-
Assist in delivering nursing care independently or in collaboration with nurses and GPs, following agreed protocols.
Clinical Tasks
-
Perform phlebotomy as per training and clinical procedure.
-
Record patient observations including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, BMI, urinalysis, and ECGs
-
Conduct new patient health checks
-
Remove sutures/clips and apply basic dressings
-
Administer adult immunisations (e.g., flu, pneumonia, vitamin B12) in line with training and procedures.
-
Prepare, maintain, and restock treatment areas and equipment before and after patient appointments.
-
Participate in health promotion and patient education activities.
-
Escalate clinical concerns to a senior nurse or GP promptly.
Communication
-
Communicate sensitively and effectively with patients, carers, and team members.
-
Adapt communication methods to suit patients' individual needs, backgrounds, and understanding.
-
Offer clear information and reassurance, especially to those receiving difficult news.
-
Maintain open, respectful, and professional communication within the team and with external partners.
-
Represent patients needs and perspectives when appropriate.
Quality of Care
-
Work within your level of competence and training.
-
Manage your workload effectively, maintaining high standards of patient care.
-
Deliver care aligned with NICE guidelines, local protocols, and evidence-based practice.
-
Engage in self-assessment, peer review, and annual appraisals to reflect on and improve performance.
-
Support audit cycles and use patient feedback to enhance services.
-
Adhere strictly to confidentiality and data protection regulations.
-
Uphold Duty of Candour and safeguarding responsibilities for vulnerable patients.
-
Follow policies for risk management, domestic violence, and substance misuse.
Health & Safety
-
Follow the practices Health & Safety policy.
-
Identify risks in the workplace and act to reduce them.
-
Report accidents or incidents and ensure follow-up actions are taken.
Teamwork
-
Work collaboratively and supportively within the multidisciplinary team.
-
Understand your role and how it may develop over time.
-
Contribute to service development and local health initiatives.
-
Share knowledge and support team learning activities.
Development
-
Take ownership of your ongoing learning and professional development.
-
Use training opportunities to improve personal performance.
-
Participate in change management and quality improvement projects.
-
Educate and support patients, families, and carers.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
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Respect the rights, dignity, and individual needs of all patients and colleagues.
-
Promote an inclusive and non-judgemental environment.
-
Acknowledge and support diversity in all interactions.
Use of IT and Data
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Use clinical IT systems (e.g., EMIS Web, NHS Mail) effectively to manage patient data and tasks.
-
Input and process data using appropriate coding and templates.
-
Access and provide reliable information for patients using digital resources.
-
Comply with data protection laws and practice confidentiality at all times.
ConfidentialityAll patient and practice information must be treated as strictly confidential and only shared with authorised individuals, in line with practice policies and data protection regulations.
Time and Resource Management
-
Organise your workload to ensure timely, safe, and effective patient care.
-
Contribute to improving team efficiency and service delivery.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Support
-
Work under the supervision of a qualified nurse and follow practice guidelines and protocols.
-
Support doctors and nurses in the care and treatment of patients, including preventative care and health promotion.
-
Attend required courses and training sessions to fulfil the requirements of the role.
-
Assist in delivering nursing care independently or in collaboration with nurses and GPs, following agreed protocols.
Clinical Tasks
-
Perform phlebotomy as per training and clinical procedure.
-
Record patient observations including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, BMI, urinalysis, and ECGs
-
Conduct new patient health checks
-
Remove sutures/clips and apply basic dressings
-
Administer adult immunisations (e.g., flu, pneumonia, vitamin B12) in line with training and procedures.
-
Prepare, maintain, and restock treatment areas and equipment before and after patient appointments.
-
Participate in health promotion and patient education activities.
-
Escalate clinical concerns to a senior nurse or GP promptly.
Communication
-
Communicate sensitively and effectively with patients, carers, and team members.
-
Adapt communication methods to suit patients' individual needs, backgrounds, and understanding.
-
Offer clear information and reassurance, especially to those receiving difficult news.
-
Maintain open, respectful, and professional communication within the team and with external partners.
-
Represent patients needs and perspectives when appropriate.
Quality of Care
-
Work within your level of competence and training.
-
Manage your workload effectively, maintaining high standards of patient care.
-
Deliver care aligned with NICE guidelines, local protocols, and evidence-based practice.
-
Engage in self-assessment, peer review, and annual appraisals to reflect on and improve performance.
-
Support audit cycles and use patient feedback to enhance services.
-
Adhere strictly to confidentiality and data protection regulations.
-
Uphold Duty of Candour and safeguarding responsibilities for vulnerable patients.
-
Follow policies for risk management, domestic violence, and substance misuse.
Health & Safety
-
Follow the practices Health & Safety policy.
-
Identify risks in the workplace and act to reduce them.
-
Report accidents or incidents and ensure follow-up actions are taken.
Teamwork
-
Work collaboratively and supportively within the multidisciplinary team.
-
Understand your role and how it may develop over time.
-
Contribute to service development and local health initiatives.
-
Share knowledge and support team learning activities.
Development
-
Take ownership of your ongoing learning and professional development.
-
Use training opportunities to improve personal performance.
-
Participate in change management and quality improvement projects.
-
Educate and support patients, families, and carers.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
-
Respect the rights, dignity, and individual needs of all patients and colleagues.
-
Promote an inclusive and non-judgemental environment.
-
Acknowledge and support diversity in all interactions.
Use of IT and Data
-
Use clinical IT systems (e.g., EMIS Web, NHS Mail) effectively to manage patient data and tasks.
-
Input and process data using appropriate coding and templates.
-
Access and provide reliable information for patients using digital resources.
-
Comply with data protection laws and practice confidentiality at all times.
ConfidentialityAll patient and practice information must be treated as strictly confidential and only shared with authorised individuals, in line with practice policies and data protection regulations.
Time and Resource Management
-
Organise your workload to ensure timely, safe, and effective patient care.
-
Contribute to improving team efficiency and service delivery.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to maintain clear, concise records
- IT skills Microsoft based
Desirable
- Experience of working as a HCA in a primary care environment
- Working with EMIS
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 2 in Healthcare or Health associated equivalent qualification
- Literacy and Numeracy Grade C or above
- Relevant qualification in Phlebotomy
Desirable
- NVQ 3 in Healthcare Care Certificate
- Immunisations certificate
- NHS Health Check Training
- Smoking Cessation Training
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to maintain clear, concise records
- IT skills Microsoft based
Desirable
- Experience of working as a HCA in a primary care environment
- Working with EMIS
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 2 in Healthcare or Health associated equivalent qualification
- Literacy and Numeracy Grade C or above
- Relevant qualification in Phlebotomy
Desirable
- NVQ 3 in Healthcare Care Certificate
- Immunisations certificate
- NHS Health Check Training
- Smoking Cessation Training
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.
