Healthcare Assistant

About Vertis Health

Vertis Health is a federation of general practices delivering high-quality NHS services across Worcestershire. We were founded by local primary care clinicians and are owned by the practices we serve. As a purpose-led limited company, the money we generate is reinvested into the local healthcare economy, helping to strengthen services, support innovation and improve patient care. 

Vertis Health delivers and supports a range of primary care and urgent care services. Current and developing opportunities may include Primary Care Services at or around local Emergency Departments, out-of-hours medical cover for community hospitals, and other services mobilised in response to local system need. Joining the staff bank does not restrict a GP to one service and does not guarantee a minimum number of shifts. Offers of work will reflect service demand, commissioning arrangements, competence, availability and completion of service-specific onboarding.

Why this role exists

We are looking to recruit experienced and competent Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) to support our Primary Care and Urgent Care services across our Hill Crest and Worcestershire Royal Hospital sites.

This is a fixed-term opportunity for six months, with the possibility of extension. Applications are welcomed from candidates seeking either full-time or part-time hours. Applicants do not need to be available for every shift; however, they must be able to commit to agreed shifts on a regular weekly basis.

The available shifts are as follows:

• Monday, 15:30 to 22:00

• Tuesday, 15:30 to 22:00

• Wednesday, 15:30 to 22:00

• Thursday, 15:30 to 22:00

• Friday, 15:30 to 22:00

• Saturday, 09:30 to 16:00

• Saturday, 15:30 to 22:00

• Sunday, 09:30 to 16:00

• Sunday, 15:30 to 22:00

This is an opportunity to use your core HCA skills while developing experience across different services and locations. We welcome applicants with a range of backgrounds and competencies you do not need to be trained in every specialist task.

Key responsibilities

• Welcoming patients and supporting their privacy, dignity and comfort;

• Confirming patient identity and explaining procedures;

• Measuring and recording blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation;

• Recording height, weight and body-mass index;

• Recognising and promptly escalating abnormal observations or deterioration;

• Supporting safe and efficient patient flow;

• Acting as a formal chaperone;

• Preparing patients and clinical rooms for assessment;

• Assisting clinicians during approved procedures;

• Cleaning equipment and clinical areas between patients;

• Following infection-prevention and control procedures;

• Checking equipment, clinical supplies and expiry dates;

• Supporting opening, closing and room-readiness checks;

• Recording information accurately on EMIS or another approved clinical system;

• Following safeguarding, emergency and incident-reporting procedures; and

• Supporting patients who require reasonable adjustments.

You may also undertake:

• Phlebotomy;

• 12-lead ECG recording;

• Urinalysis;

• Specimen collection;

• Blood-glucose or other approved point-of-care testing;

• NHS Health Checks;

• Long-term-condition observations;

• Wound-care support;

• Suture or clip removal;

• Vaccination-clinic support; or

• Other approved Primary Care activities.

Person specification

Essential:

• Venepuncture (Phlebotomy)

• ECG recording

• Basic wound care

• Taking and recording a full set of clinical observations

• Understanding of NEWS2 and recognising patient deterioration

• Ability to identify when escalation to a clinician is required

• Understanding of infection prevention and control principles

• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities

• Ability to work within competency boundaries

• Knowledge of accurate clinical record keeping

• EMIS experience is highly desirable

• Ability to navigate electronic patient record systems confidently

• Previous experience working as an HCA within a GP Practice, PCN, Urgent Care, Community Service or equivalent clinical setting

• Experience managing patients independently within the scope of an HCA role

• Confidence working in a fast-paced clinical environment

• Flexibility to work across PCU locations and service demands

Values: Person-centred, fair, improvement minded, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Location(s)

Alexandra Hospital
Woodrow Drive
Redditch
B98 7UB

Worcestershire Royal Hospital
Charles Hastings Way
Worcester
WR5 1DD