About this role
Job summary
Bring your skills, enthusiasm and caring approach to our nursing team.
Wallingford Medical Practice is looking for a Healthcare Assistant to help us deliver high-quality, compassionate care to our patients.
We would particularly welcome applicants with existing clinical skills, such as phlebotomy, recording ECGs and taking clinical observations. However, we are also happy to consider someone with the right attitude and transferable experience who is keen to learn and develop within primary care.
Experience gained in a hospital, community or other healthcare setting would be welcomed. A working knowledge of EMIS Web and experience in general practice would be highly desirable.
Main duties of the job
About the role
Working alongside our nursing and wider practice team, you will support patient care through a range of clinical and practical duties. Depending on your experience, training and assessed competence, these may include:
- Taking blood samples.
- Recording ECGs.
- Measuring blood pressure, pulse, height, weight and BMI.
- Supporting health checks and long-term condition reviews by gathering information and recording observations.
- Undertaking urine testing and handling clinical specimens.
- Preparing clinical rooms, maintaining equipment and monitoring stock.
- Supporting clinicians during procedures and acting as a chaperone following training.
- Keeping accurate patient records using EMIS Web.
Your duties will develop in line with your skills, with appropriate induction, training and supervision.
About us
Wallingford Medical Practice is a busy, thriving GP surgery in South Oxfordshire, with a strong teaching ethos and a commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centred care.
Our established and friendly nursing team works closely with our GPs, wider clinical team and administrative colleagues. We value the contribution of every team member and encourage an approachable, supportive atmosphere where people feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas and learning from one another.
Working in a busy practice means teamwork, good communication and a willingness to help are essential. We take pride in delivering compassionate care while supporting each other through the demands of day-to-day general practice.
We offer a welcoming environment with opportunities to develop your skills through training, supervision and shared learning. Whether you bring primary care experience or transferable skills from another setting, we will support you to build confidence and grow within your role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job summary
To support our nursing and wider practice team in delivering safe, effective and compassionate patient care.
The postholder will undertake a range of delegated clinical and administrative duties, working within practice protocols and their own assessed competence. We welcome applicants with existing clinical skills, as well as those with transferable experience from secondary care or other settings who are keen to develop within general practice.
Appropriate induction, training and supervision will be provided. Duties will reflect the successful candidates experience and develop as further competencies are achieved.
Main duties and responsibilities
Clinical care
Following appropriate training and assessment of competence:
- Undertake phlebotomy, ensuring correct patient identification, sample labelling, handling and documentation.
- Record 12-lead ECGs and arrange for review by an appropriate clinician.
- Measure and record blood pressure, pulse, height, weight and BMI.
- Support health checks and long-term condition reviews by collecting agreed information and clinical measurements.
- Undertake urine testing and handle clinical specimens in accordance with practice procedures.
- Support clinicians during examinations and procedures.
- Act as a chaperone following appropriate training.
- Provide agreed health promotion information and signpost patients to appropriate services.
- Recognise and promptly report abnormal findings, patient deterioration or other concerns to an appropriate clinician.
- Undertake additional delegated clinical duties as agreed, following relevant training and competency assessment.
Patient communication and record keeping
- Treat patients with kindness, dignity and respect, recognising individual needs and preferences.
- Explain procedures clearly within the scope of the role, seeking support when questions or concerns require a registered clinician.
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential patient records using EMIS Web.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues to support safe care and continuity.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and follow practice information governance procedures.
Clinical environment and equipment
- Prepare and restock clinical rooms.
- Follow infection prevention and control procedures, including equipment cleaning, safe waste disposal and sharps management.
- Monitor stock levels and expiry dates, reporting when supplies need replenishing.
- Undertake equipment checks and other monitoring tasks as delegated.
- Report faulty equipment, incidents and hazards promptly.
Teamwork and professional development
- Work collaboratively with the nursing, medical and administrative teams.
- Organise delegated work effectively and seek advice when priorities are unclear.
- Work within personal competence and agreed practice protocols, accessing support when needed.
- Recognise and report safeguarding concerns through the appropriate practice pathways.
- Complete mandatory training and participate in supervision, appraisal and ongoing development.
- Contribute ideas to improve patient care and the smooth running of the practice.
- Follow practice policies relating to equality, safeguarding, health and safety, and professional conduct.
Scope of the role
The postholder will work under the direction of registered healthcare professionals, with appropriate supervision and access to clinical advice.
Clinical duties will depend on training and documented assessment of competence. The role does not include independent diagnosis, interpretation of ECGs or test results, prescribing or treatment decisions.
Skills and experience
Previous experience in phlebotomy, recording ECGs and taking clinical observations would be desirable. A working knowledge of EMIS Web and experience in primary care would be highly desirable.
Relevant experience and transferable skills from hospital, community or other healthcare settings will also be considered. We are willing to train the right candidate, who will demonstrate a caring approach, good communication, reliability, attention to detail and enthusiasm for learning.
Review of the job description
This job description outlines the main responsibilities of the post. It may be reviewed in discussion with the postholder to reflect the development of the role and the needs of the practice.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people in a caring, healthcare or support role, demonstrating compassion and respect.
- Experience of working effectively as part of a team.
- Experience of communicating with people who may be anxious, distressed or require additional support.
- Experience of using computer systems and recording information accurately.
Desirable
- Experience of working in primary care or a GP practice.
- Working knowledge of EMIS Web highly desirable.
- Experience as a Healthcare Assistant or clinical support worker in a hospital, community or other healthcare setting.
- Experience of phlebotomy, recording 12-lead ECGs and taking clinical observations.
- Experience of supporting health checks or long-term condition reviews.
- Experience of maintaining accurate electronic patient records.
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of written English and numeracy, demonstrated through qualifications or relevant work experience.
- Willingness to undertake role-specific training and complete competency assessments.
- Willingness to complete the Care Certificate if not already held, or demonstrate equivalent learning.
Desirable
- Care Certificate.
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care, or an equivalent relevant qualification.
- Training in phlebotomy, recording 12-lead ECGs or taking clinical observations.
- Up-to-date basic life support 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.
Employer details
Employer name
Wallingford Medical Practice
Address
Reading Road
Wallingford
Oxfordshire
OX10 9DY
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.wallingfordmedicalpractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)