Full job description

Job summary

We are pleased to invite applications for the position of Healthcare Assistant within our friendly, progressive training practice, where staff wellbeing, professional development and high-quality patient care are central to everything we do

We are flexible regarding working hours and welcome applications from both full-time and part-time candidates. Salary will be offered according to skills, qualifications, and experience

Interviews will be held on Friday 30th October 2026

As a Healthcare Assistant you will be a valued member of the multidisciplinary team, supporting the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care within your professional scope of practice. Working under the supervision of a registered clinician, you will assist in providing treatment, preventative care, health promotion, long-term condition management and patient education, while developing competencies in community-based healthcare.

Applicants should hold the Care Certificate, or an equivalent qualification, and demonstrate a commitment to delivering high standards of patient care. This role is aligned to the Support Worker level as defined within NHS England's Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework, offering an excellent opportunity to develop your skills and contribute to a forward-thinking general practice.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities include:

• Undertaking patient assessments in consultation with patients and where appropriate, their families
• Supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care
• Assist clinical staff in providing treatment, preventative care, health promotion, long-term condition management and patient education
• Providing clinical support to registered nurses and other healthcare professionals
• Delivering basic clinical interventions under supervision
• Contributing to continuity of care and patient safety
• Act as a chaperone when required
• Ensure specimens are accurately recorded and prepared for transportation
• Provide assistance during minor surgical procedures
• Maintain high IPC standards by ensuring clinical waste is appropriately managed and sharps bins are replaced in accordance with practice policy
• Work within national and local protocols
• Adhere to safeguarding legislation and practice procedures
• Recognise the limits of their competence, referring patients to the appropriate clinician when necessary
• Support the delivery of enhanced services
• Complete all mandatory training and induction programmes
• Actively contribute to clinical governance activities
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development

The post holder will participate in an annual appraisal process and regular performance reviews to monitor progress against agreed objectives, identify development opportunities and support ongoing professional growth within the role.

About us

Readesmoor Medical Centre is the largest GP surgery in Congleton, with a patient population of around 14,500. Congleton itself is a market town with a population of around 30,000. Readesmoor is part of the Congleton and Holmes Chapel (CHOC) PCN, which is made up of 4 practices.

The PCN covers a population of around 47,000 across this area of Cheshire East. The PCN collaborate to provide services to patients, including coordinating vaccinations, extended access services and funding for additional primary care services and staff, such as Advanced Practitioners, Mental Health Practitioners and First Contact Physiotherapists.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Healthcare Assistant will play a vital role within the multidisciplinary team, supporting the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred healthcare services. The post holder will work closely with patients, their families and clinical colleagues to assess patient needs and contribute to the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion, long-term condition management and patient education.

Working under the supervision of registered healthcare professionals, the Healthcare Assistant will provide clinical support to Nurses, GPs and other members of the healthcare team, undertaking delegated clinical care interventions within their scope of competence. The role includes supporting continuity of care, promoting patient safety, acting as a chaperone when required, and assisting during minor surgical procedures and other clinical services.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that specimens are accurately labelled, recorded and prepared for transportation, and for maintaining high standards of infection prevention and control through the safe disposal of clinical waste and the management of sharps containers in accordance with practice policies and procedures.

The Healthcare Assistant will work in accordance with national and local policies, clinical protocols and professional standards, whilst maintaining an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding responsibilities relating to both adults and children.

The post holder must recognise the boundaries of their role and seek advice or refer patients to the appropriate clinician whenever necessary.

In addition, the Healthcare Assistant will contribute to the delivery of enhanced services and participate fully in mandatory training, induction programmes and continuing professional development activities. The post holder will actively support clinical governance initiatives, helping to maintain and improve the quality and safety of services delivered.

The Healthcare Assistant is expected to maintain a clean, safe and effective working environment at all times and demonstrate a flexible approach to supporting the needs of the practice.

The post holder will participate in an annual appraisal process and regular performance reviews, enabling the achievement of agreed objectives, identification of development opportunities and ongoing professional growth. From time to time, additional duties may be required in line with the needs of the practice, taking into account service demands, workload and staffing requirements.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
• Ability to follow legal, ethical and clinical policy and procedure
• Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Excellent communication skills and effective in communicating and understanding patient needs
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated

Desirable

• Competent in the use of MS Office and Outlook
• Good organisational skills
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• Effectively utilise resources

Other requirements

Essential

• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health clearance

Qualifications

Essential

• Has completed the Care Certificate or equivalent qualification and as detailed within CQCs GP mythbuster 57: Health Care Assistants in General Practice
• There may need to be proof of any courses or training qualifications commensurate with the post

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Ability to undertake vaccinations
• Able to perform ECGs
• Able to perform venepuncture
• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• Ability to undertake patient medicals, including height, weight, BP, pulse and BMI etc.
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to colleagues
• Clinical IT system user skills and thew ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Understanding of safeguarding adults and children
• Chaperone procedure
• Understand the requirement for PSDs and associated policy

Desirable

• Broad knowledge of clinical governance

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Has worked in a primary care environment

Desirable

• Understanding of infection prevention and control measures

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.

Pay: From £12.71 per hour

Benefits:

• Company pension

Work Location: In person