Health care assistant

Working as a Healthcare Assistant at Stockport Medical Group involves delivering high-quality, patient-centred care within a busy GP practice. Responsibilities include supporting GPs and nurses with patient assessments and routine clinical procedures, such as blood pressure monitoring, ECGs, phlebotomy, minor surgery procedures and NHS health checks. The role also involves maintaining accurate patient records, preparing clinical rooms and equipment, promoting health and wellbeing, assisting with infection prevention and control, and ensuring patients receive compassionate, professional care while contributing to the smooth day-to-day running of the practice.

Main duties of the job

Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) play an essential role in supporting the clinical team to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centred care. Their main duties include undertaking routine clinical procedures such as measuring blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height and weight, performing NHS Health Checks, taking blood samples (phlebotomy), conducting ECGs, collecting specimens, administering vaccinations where appropriately trained, and supporting long-term condition monitoring. HCAs also maintain accurate patient records, ensure clinical equipment is cleaned and stocked, promote health and wellbeing, and work closely with GPs, nurses, and other members of the multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality care while adhering to infection prevention, safeguarding, and confidentiality policies.

About us

Our clinical team consists of five GP partners, salaried General Practitioners, Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs), practice nurses, healthcare assistants (HCAs), and a dedicated team of administrative and support staff. Together, we foster a culture of mutual respect, teamwork, and continuous learning, ensuring that every member of staff feels valued and supported.

We pride ourselves on maintaining a positive, friendly, and inclusive working atmosphere where colleagues work together with professionalism, kindness, and a shared commitment to excellent patient care. Open communication, collaboration, and respect are at the heart of our work ethic, creating an environment where staff can develop their skills, contribute ideas, and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Working at Stockport Medical Group Practice offers many benefits, including:

• A supportive and approachable leadership team.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
• Regular clinical meetings and peer support.
• A welcoming workplace that promotes staff wellbeing and work-life balance.
• A commitment to quality improvement, innovation, and patient-centred care.

At Stockport Medical Group Practice, we believe that investing in our people enables us to deliver the highest standards of healthcare. We are proud to provide a workplace where every team member can thrive, develop professionally, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our patients and the wider community.

Job responsibilities

Reports to: Lead Practice Nurse / Nurse Manager / Practice Manager.

The Healthcare Assistant (HCA) works as part of the primary care multidisciplinary team, supporting GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in delivering high-quality, safe, and patient-centred care. The post holder will undertake delegated clinical duties, promote health and wellbeing, and contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake NHS Health Checks.
• Measure and record blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, weight, BMI, and oxygen saturation.
• Perform venepuncture (phlebotomy) in accordance with competency and local protocols.
• Carry out ECG recordings.
• Collect and prepare specimens, including urine and other samples.
• Administer vaccinations and injections where trained and competent, in accordance with Patient Specific Directions (PSDs) or practice protocols.
• Support chronic disease monitoring under the supervision of registered clinicians.
• Undertake new patient health checks.
• Carry out smoking cessation, lifestyle, and health promotion advice where appropriate.
• Chaperone patients during examinations when required.

Patient Care

• Provide compassionate, respectful, and confidential care.
• Support patients in maintaining their health and independence.
• Respond appropriately to patient concerns and elevate clinical issues promptly.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of care.

Administrative Duties

• Maintain accurate and timely patient records using the clinical system.
• Process specimens according to practice procedures.
• Monitor and maintain clinical stock levels.
• Clean and prepare clinical rooms and equipment.
• Ensure equipment is calibrated and report faults promptly.

Infection Prevention and Control

• Follow infection prevention and control policies.
• Maintain cleanliness of clinical areas.
• Dispose of clinical waste safely and appropriately.

Safeguarding

• Recognise and report safeguarding concerns relating to children and vulnerable adults.
• Complete mandatory safeguarding training and follow local policies.

Health and Safety

• Work in accordance with Health and Safety legislation and practice policies.
• Report incidents, accidents, and near misses using practice procedures.
• Participate in emergency procedures, including basic life support.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with GDPR and practice policies.
• Work within own competence and seek support when required.
• Participate in mandatory training, clinical supervision, and annual appraisal.
• Contribute to audit, quality improvement, and service development activities.
• Maintain professional standards and uphold the values of the practice.

Person Specification

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent experience).
• Experience working in a healthcare setting.
• Competent in taking clinical observations.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• IT literacy and accurate record keeping.
• Understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding.

Desirable

• Experience working in general practice or primary care.
• Competency in phlebotomy.
• Competency in ECG recording.
• Experience undertaking NHS Health Checks.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control standards.
• Basic Life Support certification.

Personal Attributes

• Caring and compassionate.
• Professional and reliable.
• Organised with good attention to detail.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Positive team player.
• Committed to providing high-quality patient care and continuous professional development.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent experience).
• Experience working in a healthcare or care setting. Experience providing direct patient care. Experience maintaining accurate patient records.
• Understanding of patient confidentiality, data protection (GDPR), infection prevention and control, safeguarding, and health and safety. Understanding of person-centred care.
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Good organisational and time management skills. Accurate record keeping. Ability to prioritise workload and work within own scope of practice. Competent in measuring vital signs.
• Caring, compassionate, professional, trustworthy, reliable, flexible, approachable, and respectful. Positive attitude with a commitment to high-quality patient care. Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate integrity. Willingness to learn and develop professionally.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet service needs. Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and continuous professional development. Satisfactory DBS clearance.
• Care Certificate. Phlebotomy qualification. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Immunisation training.
• Previous experience working in general practice or primary care. Experience undertaking NHS Health Checks, ECGs, venepuncture, and health promotion activities.
• Knowledge of primary care services, Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), chronic disease monitoring, and NHS policies. Familiarity with clinical systems such as EMIS Web.
• Knowledge of primary care services, Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), chronic disease monitoring, and NHS policies. Familiarity with clinical systems such as EMIS Web.
• Competent in phlebotomy, ECG recording, health checks, and vaccination support. IT skills using primary care clinical systems.
• Experience contributing to quality improvement initiatives. Ability to support colleagues with training or mentoring.
• Full UK driving licence (if community work is required).

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.

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