Healthcare Assistant Frailty & Community Outreach (Maternity Cover)NHS

Job summary

We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Healthcare Assistant to join our Primary Care Network team.Working as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, the HCA will deliver high-quality, person-centred care to adults living with frailty, multiple long-term conditions and complex health needs across community and primary care settings.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering proactive, person-centred care to some of our most vulnerable patients. Working under the supervision of registered clinicians, you will support routine health monitoring, undertake clinical observations and contribute to the early identification of patient deterioration. You will work closely with GPs, nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team to improve health outcomes, promote independence and reduce health inequalities.

Please note that this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must have an existing right to work in the UK.

Main duties of the job

• The Healthcare Assistant provides clinical support to older adults and adults with long-term conditions, undertaking phlebotomy, clinical observations, routine health monitoring and supporting long-term condition reviews in both primary care and community settings.
• Working under the supervision of registered clinicians, the postholder plays a key role in identifying early signs of deterioration, supporting preventative healthcare and contributing to coordinated care for vulnerable patients.
• The Healthcare Assistant undertakes planned home visits to housebound patients, managing their own workload within agreed competencies while recognising limitations and escalating concerns appropriately.
• The postholder contributes to high-quality, person-centred multidisciplinary care, working collaboratively with GPs, nurses, therapists, social prescribers and other community services to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Long-Term Condition Support

Support delivery of long-term condition reviews in line with QOF and practice protocols.

Undertake routine health checks including blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturations, temperature, height, weight and BMI.

Support reviews for patients with diabetes, hypertension, COPD, asthma, cardiovascular disease and respiratory illness.

Undertake follow-up reviews as directed by registered clinicians

Promote healthy lifestyles and support patients to self-manage their long-term conditions where appropriate.

• Community Home Visiting

Undertake planned home visits to housebound patients using the Home Visit Risk Assessment tool.

Support monitoring of patients with frailty, dementia and multiple long-term conditions.

Observe and report changes in physical and mental wellbeing to the supervising clinician.

Follow lone working and home visit policies, managing own caseload while escalating concerns appropriately.

Support proactive monitoring of patients identified as being at risk of deterioration.

• Clinical Skills and Procedures

Perform venepuncture/phlebotomy within competency framework.

Obtain routine physiological observations and calculate NEWS2 where appropriate.

Collect clinical information to support holistic assessments undertaken by registered clinicians

• Risk Assessment and Safeguarding

Identify and report risks including pressure damage, falls, malnutrition and dehydration, safeguarding concerns and environmental hazards.

Report safeguarding concerns immediately following PCN procedures and safeguarding policy.

• Care Coordination

Liaise with GPs, nurses and multidisciplinary team to ensure continuity of care.

Communicate effectively with patients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team to support coordinated care.

Support follow-up appointments, referrals and signposting to local services.

• Clinical Systems and Documentation

Use SystmOne and EMIS to accurately document clinical activity and maintain patient records.

Maintain confidentiality and accurate documentation in accordance with Data Protection and GDPR.

General Responsibilities

Work in accordance with PCN policies, procedures and values.

Maintain confidentiality and adhere to information governance and safeguarding requirements.

Demonstrate professionalism, integrity and a patient-centred, compassionate approach.

Maintain clinical competencies and undertake ongoing professional development.

Be adaptable and responsive to evolving PCN priorities and patient needs.

Recognise the importance of safeguarding; report any concerns of abuse immediately and correctly.

Embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.

Contribute positively to service development and continuous quality improvement.

Key Relationships

• PCN Team Manager and Clinical Leads
• General Practitioners
• Community Specialist Nurses and Nursing Associates
• Allied Health Professionals (Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists)
• Clinical Pharmacists
• Home Visiting Paramedics
• Social Prescribers
• Mental Health Services
• Patients, carers and families
• Community, voluntary and third-sector organisations

About us

East & Central Brighton PCN comprises nine GP surgeries covering the Whitehawk, Woodingdean, Queens Park, Kemptown, Hanover, Lewes Road and London Road areas of Brighton. The Frailty and Community Outreach Team plays a vital role in supporting older adults and people with long-term conditions, frailty and complex needs, helping to reduce hospital admissions and supporting patients to remain safe and independent at home. The Healthcare Assistant is essential to the delivery of this service, providing clinical support both in GP practices and through planned home visits to housebound patients across the PCN.