Health Care Assistant

Posting date:	17 March 2026
Salary:	£12.71 to £13.33 per hour
Additional salary information:	£12.71 - £13.33 an hour
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	05 April 2026
Location:	Exeter, EX1 1SB
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	A2310-26-0001

Summary

Purpose, To assist the GPs and practice nurse team in the service and delivery of the care management of the practice population St Leonards is friendly busy practice located in heart of the city Centre in Exeter caring for just under 10,000 registered patients. We have 7 GP partners, 2 nurse practitioners, 3 practice nurses and 2 HCAs Due to partial retirement of one of longstanding HCAs we are now looking to recruit another HCA to join our friendly forward thinking nursing team on a part time basis. Whilst we are initially looking for a HCA to join our team, we recognize the role and the benefit of the nurse associate and are open to applications from already qualified nurse associates and those looking to expand their current skills/ role. Responsible to, Lead Nurse/ nursing team, practice manager and, ultimately, the GP Partners Salary, Dependent on experience Hours, Part time, up to 20 hours a week JOB SUMMARY The post holder is: The role will be to support the nursing team in delivery of service and ensuring prompt referrals when necessary to a practice GP or specialist nurse. You will be required to undertake clinical care under the direction of qualified practitioners. SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF THE ROLE To provide effective, evidence based general and specific care to clients under the indirect supervision of registered practitioners To plan, organise and deliver clinical care as agreed with the supervising practitioner in line with clinical governance and within agreed professional standards and guidelines. To use personal effectiveness and knowledge to contribute to the development and delivery of a quality service To work pro-actively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in support of registered practitioners The practitioner will work independently under the indirect supervision of a registered practitioner and will follow policies and procedures using own initiative and managing own workload Primary Duties and Scope of Responsibilities: Organise and prioritise own workload, time and resources effectively to reduce risks to the quality for service delivery Undertake client assessment following delegation from a registered nurse. Help the practice operate in a cost-effective manner. Identify and manage care risks on a continuing basis. Participate in audits and inspections as appropriate. Ensure that all Practice Policy is fully implemented CLINICAL ROLE, To undertake a range of clinically specific duties appropriate to the delivery of client care. This includes the ability to: ECG recording according to protocol Phlebotomy Assisting doctors when fitting iuds and implants Smoking cessation advice Some immunisations Diabetic foot checks Dressings Removal of sutures Doppler assessments Urinanalysis Processing and management of laboratory samples requested by GPs/nurses NHS Health Checks Sterilising, cleansing and maintenance of surgical equipment Vaccine/cold chain storage, monitoring and recording Surgical equipment and vaccine re-stocking and stock rotation Clearing and re-stocking consulting rooms Preparing and maintaining environments and equipment before, during and after patient care interventions including assisting GPs during the performance of minor operations Assisting in the assessment and surveillance of patients health and well-being Undertaking specific clinical activities for named patients that have been delegated and taught specifically in relation to that individual Take part in any new projects that may be taken on by St Leonards Practice in the future, if deemed to be suitable for the HCA role Recognise and take appropriate action when adverse measurements/observations are recorded and ensure the appropriate action is taken in a timely manner collating information gathered from the LTC checks and ensuring prompt referrals when necessary to a practice GP or specialist nurse. Demonstrate excellent customer care skills at all times by treating clients with dignity, courtesy and respect at all times Recognise and be able to respond appropriately to challenging behaviour Recognise both your own and others level of clinical competence, responsibility and accountability to ensure safe practice, and to take appropriate action when there is a concern Take personal responsibility for keeping up-to-date with new developments and participate in clinical audit when appropriate Act as a role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace, always ensuring the highest standards of evidence based care Report all accidents and incidents in accordance with company policies and procedures Be willing to undertake any training deemed appropriate for the development of the role. HEALTH AND SAFETY/RISK MANAGEMENT The post-holder must comply at all times with the Practices Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the organisations Incident Reporting System. The post-holder will comply with the Data Protection Act (1984) and the Access to Health Records Act (1990). EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY The post-holder must co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc. RESPECT FOR PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY The post-holder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role. COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS The post-holder will establish and maintain effective communication pathways with the following : GPs within the practice Practice Nurses Phlebotomists SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS The post-holder will have contact with body fluids ie, wound exudates; urine etc while in clinical practice. The practice operates extended hours on a rota basis and the post holder may be required to work some extended hours shifts. REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT 1994 (optional) Because of the nature of the work, this post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1994 (Exceptions) Order 1995. Applicants for posts are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are spent under the provisions of the Act and in the event of employment any failure to disclose such convictions could result in disciplinary action or dismissal by the Practice. Any information given will be completely confidential and will be considered only in relation to an applicant of a position to which the order applies. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take into account development within the Practice. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the Practice.