Health Care Support Worker / Health Care Assistant


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	Negotiable
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Chippenham, SN15 3SY
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	29 Sept 2026
Closing date:	16 Oct 2026

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Summary

Key Responsibilities Provide safe, high quality clinical support to registered nurses, GPs and other healthcare professionals, ensuring delegated tasks are completed within required timescales and assessed competence. Undertake basic clinical care interventions once trained and assessed as competent, including phlebotomy, blood pressure monitoring, height, weight and BMI measurements, ECGs, NHS Health Checks, suture removal, basic wound care and near patient point of care testing, including warfarin monitoring. Play a key role in vaccination and immunisation programmes, including administration of vaccines and injections where appropriately trained, assessed as competent and legally authorised, in accordance with national guidance and practice protocols. Record observations, lifestyle information and clinical activity accurately and promptly in the patient record, using appropriate coding and practice documentation standards. Support health promotion and prevention activities across the practice and PCN, including smoking cessation, weight management, lifestyle interventions, healthy living advice and self care education. Contribute to the care of patients with long term conditions, including hypertension, diabetes and respiratory disease, undertaking delegated observations, reviews and follow up activity within competence. Support work aimed at reducing health inequalities and improving access to preventative care, working with the multidisciplinary team to identify and engage patients who may benefit from additional support. Support continuity of care and patient safety initiatives, including call and recall activity, follow up work, QOF related administration and escalation of concerns to the appropriate clinician. Assist clinicians with examinations, minor operations and other procedures, including patient preparation, chaperoning and support within teledermatology clinics. Handle patient enquiries professionally by telephone, email and face to face, recording information accurately and escalating clinical concerns appropriately. Support safeguarding processes by recognising and escalating concerns promptly and documenting information in accordance with practice policy. Maintain clinical rooms to the required standard, including infection control measures, equipment checks, stock rotation, safe storage, correct use of PPE and preparation of rooms for clinical activity. Manage and replenish clinical supplies within delegated responsibility, identifying shortages and reporting equipment, stock or premises issues promptly. Follow confidentiality, GDPR and information governance requirements and ensure patient information is handled securely at all times. Comply with Health and Safety, infection control, fire safety, emergency response and incident reporting procedures, contributing to a safe environment for patients and staff. Follow all relevant practice and PCN policies, SOPs and documentation requirements, keeping up to date with changes communicated by the practice. Provide flexible support during periods of increased demand and work collaboratively with the wider nursing, clinical support, reception and administrative teams. Promote effective communication with clinicians, managers, patients, carers and external services to support safe and efficient day to day care. Work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary team, sharing relevant information and supporting colleagues to provide consistent patient care. Share important updates, changes in process and safety information with nursing and administrative colleagues. Maintain a supportive and professional presence within the team, contributing constructively to problem solving and service improvement. Record and pass on messages, actions and follow up work accurately and within agreed timescales. Communication & Teamwork Promote effective communication with clinicians, managers, patients, carers and external services to support safe and efficient day to day care. Work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary team, sharing relevant information and supporting colleagues to provide consistent patient care. Share important updates, changes in process and safety information with nursing and administrative colleagues. Maintain a supportive and professional presence within the team, contributing constructively to problem solving and service improvement. Record and pass on messages, actions and follow up work accurately and within agreed timescales.Professional Standards & Governance Maintain high standards of professional conduct, confidentiality, dignity, respect and clinical safety at all times. Participate fully in mandatory training, clinical supervision, competency assessment and annual appraisal, maintaining evidence of training and competence as required. Hold the Care Certificate or a recognised equivalent qualification and undertake any additional qualifications, training or apprenticeships required for the role. Work under the supervision of a registered clinician while developing competencies in community based care, working strictly within assessed competence and seeking advice whenever a task or situation falls outside scope. Escalate clinical concerns promptly to an appropriate registered healthcare professional and follow agreed safety and incident reporting procedures. Identify opportunities to improve patient care, workflow or service delivery and raise suggestions constructively. Personal Attributes Caring, compassionate and patient centred, with a commitment to delivering high quality care. Calm and professional under pressure, with the ability to prioritise work and follow instructions safely. Reliable, organised and proactive, able to work independently within assessed competence while recognising when supervision is required. Adaptable and flexible in response to service needs across the practice and PCN. Confidence using IT systems and electronic templates to support clinical documentation and activity. Able to work positively and respectfully with colleagues across the multidisciplinary team. Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role. Scope of Practice This role operates at Support Worker Level Practice as described in the Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework. All duties are undertaken under the supervision of a registered healthcare professional and within the post holder's assessed competence. The post holder is expected to meet the applicable Network Contract DES requirements for a Healthcare Support Worker employed or engaged through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, including requirements relating to: Health promotion and prevention Long term condition support Community based care Vaccination and immunisation programmes Multidisciplinary working Clinical support to registered nurses and other healthcare professionals Basic clinical care interventions under supervision Continuity of care and patient safety Date reviewed: 23 September 2026

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