Salary: Dependent on experience
Hours per week: 37.5 hours (full time over 5 days preferably)
Closing date: 15 June 2026
Interviews: Will take place at Taunton Vale Healthcare on the 23 June 2026
Job summary:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and self motivated Healthcare Assistant to work within our new and developing Community Investigation Hub based at Taunton Vale Healthcare's Blackbrook site.
Main duties of the job:
As a Healthcare Assistant, you will provide a service for the Primary Care Network (PCN) in the Community Hub for specified tests requested by secondary care and carried out in the community. You will be employed by Tone Valley PCN. The main roles will include, but will not be limited to, phlebotomy, spirometry, FeNO, ECG/ECH holster tests, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
About us:
Tone Valley consists of 5 like minded Somerset Practices; Lyngford Park Surgery, Taunton Vale Healthcare, Creech Medical Centre, Warwick House Medical Centre, North Curry Health Centre and are responsible for the care of 35,000 patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities:
A HCA works within the PCN led Community Investigation Hub (CIH) team based at Taunton vale Healthcare. This role involves working as part of the practice multi-disciplinary team, delivering care within their scope of practice to the entitled patient population.
Currently the Community Investigation Hub provides a supporting service to the five PCN member practices namely Creech Medical Centre, Lyngford Park Surgery, North Curry Health Centre, Taunton Vale Healthcare and Warwick House Medical Practice. which currently includes Phlebotomy, ECGs, Spirometry, FeNo and vital signs monitoring. These services are subject to change as the service develops.
Having completed the Care Certificate or equivalent qualification, the HCA will deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion, long-term condition management and patient education while also supporting the administrative team on an as-required basis.
The HCA will work under the supervision of a registered clinician while developing competencies in community-based care. The role is at Support Worker Level and as described in NHS E Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework.
The post-holder will be an integral part of the general practice team and may be required to work at the various member practices across the PCN.
The following are the core responsibilities of the PCN CIH Healthcare Assistant in delivering health services. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:
a. Consult with patients and their family to undertake assessments of patient need
b. Deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion, long-term condition management and patient education
c. Be an integral part of the general practice team, working in each practice and across the PCN if required
d. Provide clinical support to registered nurses and other healthcare professionals within the PCN as required
e. Deliver basic clinical care interventions under supervision, supporting continuity of care and patient safety initiatives
f. Perform diagnostic tests including Phlebotomy, ECGs, Spirometry, FeNO and vital signs monitoring.
g. Act as a chaperone as required
h. Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation
i. Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the organisations IPC policy
j. Work within national and local protocols where these exist
k. Recognise boundaries of practice and know when and to whom patients should be referred
l. Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements on behalf of the PCN
m. Support the administrative team on an as-required basis
n. Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
o. Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance
p. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times
q. Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed
There may be, on occasion, a requirement to undertake other tasks, this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Healthcare Support Worker has the following wider responsibilities:
a. Assist with any audits as directed
b. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care
c. Support and participate in shared learning within the PCN
Review of this Job Description:
This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing service needs. This job description is to be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder on an annual basis.
We are unable to provide sponsorship and applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential:
- Experience of working with the general public.
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting.
- Understanding of infection prevention and control measures.
Desirable:
- Worked in a Primary Care environment.
Qualifications
Essential:
- Care Certificate or equivalent qualification.
- Proof of any courses or training qualifications.
Clinical knowledge and skills
Essential:
- Understanding of the principles of ECGs.
- Able to perform venipuncture (Phlebotomy).
- 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 the ability to record accurate clinical notes.
Desirable:
- Ability to perform Spirometry testing.
- Ability to perform FeNO testing.
- Trained to deliver NHS Health Checks.
- Experience using EMIS Clinical System.
- Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance.
- Chaperone procedure.
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.
Work Location: In person
