About this role
Job summary
Dr Sharma & Rai Practice Group is looking for an experienced Healthcare Assistant (HCA) / Phlebotomist to join our team across GP practice sites in Barking and Dagenham.
This is a full-time, permanent role for 37.5 hours per week. The successful candidate will work across different practice sites according to the rota, but will normally remain at one site for the full working day.
We are looking for an experienced primary care HCA who is confident in phlebotomy and a broad range of routine HCA duties. Formal phlebotomy training/competency certification and recent practical phlebotomy experience are essential.
The role will include supporting long-term condition reviews, NHS Health Checks and other routine clinical activity. Early starts are essential due to morning phlebotomy clinics.
You will join an experienced clinical team, with nursing support available for ongoing development and competency updates where appropriate.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received. Early application is therefore encouraged.
Main duties of the job
The Healthcare Assistant / Phlebotomist will support the clinical team by delivering a range of routine patient care and monitoring activities within general practice.
Main duties will include:
Phlebotomy and specimen collection.
Blood pressure, height, weight and BMI checks.
NHS Health Checks.
Supporting long-term condition reviews, including diabetes checks and foot assessments.
Performing ECGs and urinalysis.
Administering B12 injections in line with practice protocols and appropriate authorisation.
Smoking and alcohol screening and brief health-promotion advice.
Recording observations and clinical information accurately in the patient record.
Maintaining infection prevention and control standards and safe clinical environments.
Working closely with GPs, nurses and the wider practice team to support safe and efficient patient care.
The postholder will work within their level of competence and follow agreed practice protocols, with experienced nursing support available where required.
About us
Dr Sharma & Rai Practice Group provides GP services across Barking and Dagenham, East London.
We are a busy and developing multi-site organisation with a strong focus on patient care, teamwork, safe clinical practice and continuous improvement.
You will work as part of an experienced clinical and administrative team, with support from GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals. The role offers variety across our practice sites, ongoing learning opportunities and the chance to contribute to high-quality patient care.
We offer a permanent full-time position, NHS Pension access subject to eligibility, annual leave entitlement and support with ongoing training and development.
Job description Job responsibilities
Job Title: Healthcare Assistant (HCA) / Phlebotomist Organisation: Dr Sharma & Rai Practice Group Contract: Permanent, Full-time 37.5 hours per week Location: Across Dr Sharma & Rai Practice Group sites in Barking and Dagenham
Job purpose The Healthcare Assistant / Phlebotomist will support the clinical team in delivering safe, effective and high-quality patient care within general practice.
The successful candidate must have previous HCA experience within GP practice or primary care and be competent in phlebotomy and a broad range of routine HCA duties.
Formal phlebotomy training/competency certification and recent practical phlebotomy experience are essential.
The postholder will work across different Dr Sharma & Rai Practice Group sites according to the rota. Although the usual place of work may vary between days, the postholder will normally work at one practice site for the duration of each working day and will not routinely be required to travel between sites during the working day.
The role is 37.5 hours per week, worked within practice core opening hours of approximately 08:00 - 18:30. Flexibility is required and the ability to work early starts is essential due to morning phlebotomy clinics.
Main clinical duties The postholder will undertake duties appropriate to their training and assessed competence, including:
Phlebotomy and appropriate specimen collection and handling.
Blood pressure monitoring.
Height, weight and BMI measurements.
NHS Health Checks.
Supporting long-term condition reviews.
Diabetes monitoring, including diabetic foot checks.
Performing ECGs.
Urinalysis.
Administering B12 injections in accordance with appropriate clinical authorisation, practice protocols and assessed competency.
Smoking status and alcohol screening.
Providing appropriate health-promotion and lifestyle information.
Recording observations, results and other relevant information accurately within the patient's clinical record.
Escalating abnormal findings or patient concerns appropriately to a registered clinician.
Patient care
Provide patients with a professional, courteous and supportive service.
Maintain patient dignity, privacy and confidentiality at all times.
Explain procedures clearly and obtain appropriate consent before undertaking clinical tasks.
Recognise the limits of own competence and seek support from a registered clinician when required.
Identify and escalate concerns relating to a patient's condition or wellbeing appropriately.
Work effectively with GPs, nurses and other members of the multidisciplinary practice team.
Infection prevention and clinical safety
Follow infection prevention and control procedures at all times.
Maintain clean, safe and appropriately stocked clinical rooms.
Ensure clinical equipment is cleaned and stored appropriately.
Follow procedures for the safe handling and disposal of clinical waste and sharps.
Monitor clinical stock and report or address shortages where appropriate.
Follow practice policies relating to health and safety, infection control and clinical governance.
Clinical records and administration
Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records using the practice clinical system.
Ensure information is coded and recorded appropriately.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with information governance and data-protection requirements.
Support recall, monitoring and administrative processes associated with HCA clinics where required.
Work collaboratively with reception, administration and clinical teams to support efficient patient pathways.
Training and development The successful candidate is expected to already be competent in the majority of the clinical duties required for this post.
Experienced nurses and other clinicians are available to provide ongoing support, competency assessment and professional development where appropriate.
The postholder will be expected to:
Maintain and provide evidence of relevant training and competencies.
Complete mandatory training as required.
Participate in competency reviews and updates.
Take responsibility for recognising and working within their own scope of competence.
Participate in appraisal and ongoing professional development.
General responsibilities
Work in accordance with practice policies, procedures and clinical protocols.
Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with GDPR and information governance requirements.
Promote equality, dignity and respectful communication.
Contribute positively to teamwork and service improvement.
Attend relevant practice meetings and training where required.
Work flexibly across the practice group's sites according to operational need and the agreed rota.
Undertake other appropriate duties consistent with the responsibilities and level of the role.
This job description outlines the main responsibilities of the post and may be reviewed as services develop, following discussion with the postholder.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Previous experience working as a Healthcare Assistant within GP practice or primary care Recent practical phlebotomy experience Experience carrying out blood pressure, height, weight and BMI measurements Experience completing NHS Health Checks Experience supporting long-term condition reviews, including diabetes checks and diabetic foot assessments Experience performing ECGs and urinalysis Experience administering B12 injections within agreed protocols and competency Experience completing smoking and alcohol screening Experience recording clinical information accurately in a GP clinical system Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary primary care team
Desirable
Experience using EMIS Web Experience using AccuRx or other primary care digital systems Experience working across more than one GP practice site Experience supporting recall programmes, health promotion or preventive care Experience working with patients from a diverse range of backgrounds
Qualifications Essential
Formal phlebotomy training and competency certification Evidence of appropriate training/competency to undertake Healthcare Assistant clinical duties within primary care Relevant mandatory clinical training appropriate to the HCA role, or willingness to complete/update this as required
Desirable
Care Certificate NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or equivalent relevant healthcare qualification Additional recognised training/competency certificates relevant to primary care HCA duties
Knowledge and skills Essential
Good understanding of patient confidentiality, GDPR and information governance Good understanding of infection prevention and control and safe clinical practice Ability to recognise the limits of own competence and escalate clinical concerns appropriately Good communication and interpersonal skills with patients and colleagues Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to the wider clinical team Accurate and organised approach to clinical documentation and patient care Reliable, professional and able to manage a busy clinical workload Patient-focused approach with respect for dignity, privacy and individual needs Flexible approach to working across different practice sites according to the rota Ability and willingness to work early starts as required for morning phlebotomy clinics
Desirable
Good understanding of health promotion and prevention within primary care Confidence using GP clinical systems and other digital healthcare systems Understanding of long-term condition monitoring within general practice Ability to contribute to service improvement and development of HCA services
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.
Employer details Employer name Heathway Medical Centre
Address Morland Road
Dagenham
Essex
RM10 9HU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://heathwaymedicalcentre.com/ (Opens in a new tab)