HCA @ Yardley Wood Health Centre

Job summary

Join our friendly and supportive team at Baldwins Lane Surgery in Hall Green as a Healthcare Assistant and play an important role in delivering high quality patient care.

This is a varied and rewarding role, supporting our clinical team and helping patients manage their health and wellbeing. You will undertake a range of clinical duties, including phlebotomy, health checks, recording observations, ECGs and supporting chronic disease monitoring, depending on your training and competencies.

We are looking for someone who is caring, approachable and confident communicating with patients from all backgrounds. You should be organised, reliable and comfortable working in a busy environment, with the ability to work independently while also being a supportive member of the wider practice team.

Previous experience in a healthcare setting and relevant clinical competencies would be advantageous.

In return, you will join a welcoming team where your contribution is valued, have opportunities to develop your clinical skills and make a genuine difference to the health of our local community.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to be part of a team that makes a difference every day, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

The role will involve providing a range of clinical services to patients, supporting the nursing team and contributing to the delivery of high-quality patient care. Duties will include:

• Undertaking venepuncture (blood taking).
• Recording blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturations, height, weight and BMI.
• Carrying out NHS Health Checks
• Supporting chronic disease monitoring, including diabetes and other long-term conditions.
• Undertaking ECGs and other routine clinical investigations.
• Smoking cessation advice and support, including monitoring patient progress.
• Wound care, dressings and removal of sutures where trained and competent.
• Performing urinalysis and processing clinical specimens.
• Supporting health promotion and patient education.
• Ensuring clinical rooms are appropriately stocked, clean and prepared.
• Maintaining accurate patient records and clinical documentation.
• Supporting recalls, screening programmes and other practice initiatives.

The postholder will also be expected to work flexibly within the wider clinical team, undertake additional duties appropriate to their training and competencies, and contribute to the smooth running of the practice.

About us

Baldwins Lane Surgery is a friendly, patient-focused GP practice based in Hall Green, Birmingham. We are proud to serve our local community and are committed to providing high-quality care while continually looking for ways to improve the services we offer.

We have a supportive and hardworking team who work closely together to ensure the smooth running of the practice and a positive experience for our patients. We value teamwork, flexibility and a willingness to help one another, recognising that every member of staff plays an important part in delivering an excellent service.

Working in general practice can be busy and varied, but it is also incredibly rewarding. We offer the opportunity to develop new skills, gain experience in a healthcare environment and be part of a team where your contribution genuinely makes a difference.

We are looking for people who share our values, take pride in their work and want to be part of a welcoming team that supports one another and our local community.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Baldwins Lane SurgeryHall Green, BirminghamJob Purpose

To support the clinical team in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care by undertaking a range of clinical and administrative duties within the practice.

The Healthcare Assistant will work under the supervision and direction of the Practice Nurse and wider clinical team, undertaking delegated clinical tasks in accordance with their training, competencies, practice policies and agreed protocols.

The postholder will contribute to the delivery of preventative healthcare, long-term condition monitoring, health promotion and routine clinical services.

Main Duties and Responsibilities1. Clinical Responsibilities

• Undertake venepuncture (blood taking) in accordance with practice protocols.
• Record and document patient observations, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation, height, weight and BMI.
• Undertake electrocardiograms (ECGs) and ensure recordings are appropriately processed.
• Perform urinalysis and other routine clinical investigations.
• Undertake NHS Health Checks, including relevant measurements, lifestyle assessments and cardiovascular risk assessments.
• Support the identification and monitoring of patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Undertake smoking cessation assessments and provide lifestyle advice and ongoing support to patients wishing to stop smoking.
• Support chronic disease monitoring and reviews, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other long-term conditions, within agreed competencies.
• Undertake wound care, dressings and removal of sutures where trained and assessed as competent.
• Collect, label, store and process clinical specimens in accordance with infection prevention and control procedures.
• Assist with immunisation programmes where appropriately trained and competent.
• Provide health promotion advice and encourage patients to adopt healthier lifestyles.
• Recognise and report abnormal clinical observations or concerns promptly to the appropriate clinician.
• Support clinicians during examinations and procedures when required.

2. NHS Health Checks and Health Promotion

• Identify and invite eligible patients for NHS Health Checks.
• Complete relevant assessments and clinical measurements.
• Record findings accurately within the clinical system.
• Provide appropriate lifestyle advice relating to smoking, diet, physical activity, alcohol and weight management.
• Identify patients requiring onward referral or further clinical assessment.
• Support practice health promotion and preventative care initiatives.

3. Long-Term Condition Management

• Support the nursing team with routine monitoring and reviews for patients with long-term conditions.
• Undertake relevant clinical measurements and investigations.
• Identify patients overdue for monitoring and support recall programmes.
• Ensure results and observations are accurately recorded and brought to the attention of the appropriate clinician.
• Support patient education and self-management where appropriate.

4. Infection Prevention and Clinical Room Management

• Prepare clinical rooms before consultations and ensure they are appropriately equipped.
• Maintain cleanliness and tidiness of clinical rooms and equipment.
• Follow infection prevention and control procedures at all times.
• Ensure clinical equipment is cleaned, maintained and stored appropriately.
• Monitor clinical stock levels and report requirements for replenishment.
• Check expiry dates of clinical supplies and equipment.
• Dispose of clinical waste and sharps safely in accordance with practice procedures.
• Report any equipment faults, health and safety concerns or incidents.

5. Administration and Clinical Records

• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records using the practice clinical system.
• Ensure all clinical activity, observations and procedures are appropriately coded and documented.
• Support patient recalls, screening programmes and chronic disease monitoring.
• Assist with identifying patients who are overdue for investigations or reviews.
• Process clinical specimens and associated documentation.
• Ensure patient information is handled confidentially and in accordance with GDPR and information governance requirements.
• Communicate relevant clinical findings and concerns to the appropriate member of the clinical team.

6. Teamworking and Communication

• Work collaboratively with GPs, Practice Nurses, healthcare professionals and administrative colleagues.
• Communicate effectively and compassionately with patients and carers.
• Maintain professional boundaries and treat all patients with dignity, respect and sensitivity.
• Recognise limitations of competence and seek advice or assistance when required.
• Escalate clinical concerns, abnormal results and safeguarding concerns promptly.
• Participate in practice meetings, training and development activities as required.
• Support the wider practice team during periods of increased demand.

General Responsibilities

The postholder will

• Maintain strict patient confidentiality at all times.
• Comply with practice policies, procedures and protocols.
• Adhere to health and safety, infection prevention and control and safeguarding requirements.
• Maintain mandatory training and undertake relevant clinical training and competency assessments.
• Work within the limits of their training and professional competence.
• Participate in supervision, appraisal and performance development.
• Maintain accurate records of training and clinical competencies.
• Report accidents, incidents, near misses and significant concerns in accordance with practice procedures.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role and level of competence as required by the Practice Manager or clinical lead.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, Clinical Healthcare Support or equivalent, OR demonstrable relevant healthcare experience.
• Basic English and Maths skills.
• Willingness to undertake clinical training and competency assessments relevant to the role.
• Qualified in phlebotomy

Desirable

• Care Certificate.
• Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or equivalent.
• Relevant training in ECG recording and clinical observations.
• NHS Health Check training.
• Smoking cessation training.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) training.
• Infection Prevention and Control training.

Experience

Essential

• Experience working in General Practice - please note, care home and hospital HCA experience IS NOT THE SAME as General Practice experience.

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

Yardley Wood Health Centre

Address

Baldwins Lane Surgery

265 Baldwins Lane

Hall Green

Birmingham

B28 0RF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.yardleywoodhc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)