Healthcare Support Worker (Entry Level & Experienced)

Job description

Job summary

Swaffham and Downham PCN is looking for a Healthcare Support Worker to join our nursing team, working flexibly across our member practices to support patients and clinical colleagues throughout the network.

This is a role we welcome applications for at two levels: as a first step into a healthcare career for someone with no prior clinical experience, or as a more established role for a candidate who already holds relevant Healthcare Assistant or Support Worker experience.

The post-holder will work at Support Worker Level Practice as described in the Primary Care and General Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework, delivering care and tasks delegated by a registered professional, and will operate under indirect supervision once competent, with direct supervision provided when learning new skills.

Main duties of the job

Deliver opportunistic and planned healthpromotion advice on diet, physical activity, alcohol and weight management,escalating to a registered clinician where specialist advice is needed.

Support smoking cessation activity, includingbrief interventions and signposting to local stop-smoking services.

Support delivery of NHS Health Checks and otherprevention programmes, including basic measurements (height, weight, BMI, bloodpressure).

Provide patients with health promotionliterature and signpost to community, voluntary sector and social prescribingservices.

Support uptake of national screening programmes(e.g. cervical, bowel, breast) through patient information and reminders.

Prepare vaccination clinics, including stockchecks, cold chain monitoring, equipment set-up and clinic room readiness.

Support the administration of vaccines oncetrained, assessed as competent and formally authorised to do so.

Accurately record all vaccinations given on theclinical system (EMIS/SystmOne), including batch numbers and consent, in linewith PCN and practice protocols.

Monitor patients following vaccination forimmediate reactions and escalate any concerns promptly to a registeredclinician.

Support seasonal campaigns (e.g. flu, COVID-19,RSV) and childhood or adult catch-up clinics across all PCN sites.

Assist with maintaining vaccine stock, ordering,and accurate cold chain documentation.

About us

Swaffham and Downham PCN is an innovativenetwork that values its staff. We invest in wellbeing, training and developmentat every level, and we are proud to offer routes into healthcare careers forpeople at the very start of their journey, alongside opportunities forexperienced practitioners to grow and specialise.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities1. Health Promotion &Prevention
Deliver opportunistic and planned healthpromotion advice on diet, physical activity, alcohol and weight management,escalating to a registered clinician where specialist advice is needed.

Support smoking cessation activity, includingbrief interventions and signposting to local stop-smoking services.

Support delivery of NHS Health Checks and otherprevention programmes, including basic measurements, height, weight, BMI, bloodpressure.

Provide patients with health promotionliterature and signpost to community, voluntary sector and social prescribingservices.

Support uptake of national screening programmes e.g. cervical, bowel, and breast, through patient information and reminders.
2. Vaccination & Immunisation
Prepare vaccination clinics, including stockchecks, cold chain monitoring, equipment set-up and clinic room readiness.

Support the administration of vaccines oncetrained, assessed as competent and formally authorised to do so.

Accurately record all vaccinations given on theclinical system (EMIS/SystmOne), including batch numbers and consent, in linewith PCN and practice protocols.

Monitor patients following vaccination forimmediate reactions and escalate any concerns promptly to a registeredclinician.

Support seasonal campaigns e.g. flu, COVID-19,RSV, and childhood or adult catch-up clinics across all PCN sites.

Assist with maintaining vaccine stock, ordering,and accurate cold chain documentation.
3. Clinical Observations &Support
Undertake and accurately record routine clinicalobservations, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate,oxygen saturations, height, weight and urinalysis.

Support registered professionals during clinics,including chaperoning, preparing rooms and equipment, and assisting withclinical procedures.

Undertake ECG recording once trained andassessed as competent.

Undertake venepuncture-phlebotomy services oncetrained and assessed as competent, where required by the PCN.

Prepare, clean and maintain clinical rooms andequipment, including stock rotation and calibration checks, in line withinfection control standards.
4. Long-Term Condition & MDTSupport
Support patients attending long-term conditionreview clinics e.g. diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and asthma, by takingmeasurements and completing structured templates ahead of clinician review.

Work alongside GPs, nurses, pharmacists, socialprescribers and other ARRS roles as part of the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team.

Support proactive care initiatives, includingvirtual and in-person care home rounds and case-finding activities, undersupervision.

Help identify patients experiencing healthinequalities or wider social and welfare needs, escalating to the appropriateteam member e.g. social prescriber and care coordinator.
5. Delegated Clinical Care
Deliver basic wound care, including simple woundcleansing, dressing changes and skin care, strictly in line with a care planset by a registered professional.

Support continence and personal care tasks asdirected by a registered clinician, where required.

Carry out delegated care tasks accurately andsafely, working within the defined limits of the role and competencies.

Recognise when a patient's presentation fallsoutside the scope of the role and escalate promptly to more senior clinicalstaff.
6. Records, Governance &Escalation
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legibleclinical records on EMIS-SystmOne, in line with PCN documentation standards.

Support data quality and template completion forPCN audits, QOF and Enhanced Access/DES requirements.

Report safety incidents, near misses andsafeguarding concerns promptly, following PCN incident-reporting andsafeguarding policies.

Maintain patient confidentiality at all times,in line with data protection legislation and the PCN's information governancepolicy.
7. Flexible Network Working
Work flexibly across the PCN according topatient and service need.

Adapt to the working practices, clinical systemsand teams of different member practices.

Travel between sites as required, in line withthe PCN's travel and expenses policy.

General / CorporateResponsibilities
Confidentiality: treat all information relatingto patients, staff and PCN business as strictly confidential, in line with theData Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR and the PCN's Information Governance policy.

Health & Safety: take reasonable care ofyour own health and safety and that of others, complying with the PCN's Health& Safety policy and reporting hazards promptly.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: treat allpatients, visitors and colleagues with dignity and respect, and act inaccordance with the PCN's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.

Infection Prevention and Control: adhere toinfection prevention and control policies and procedures at all times,including hand hygiene, use of PPE and safe waste disposal.

Safeguarding: act in accordance with the PCN'ssafeguarding children and adults policies, escalating any concerns promptlythrough the appropriate pathway.

Personal & Professional Development:participate in mandatory training, supervision, appraisal and the CareCertificate (where applicable), and take an active role in your own personaldevelopment plan.

Quality and Safety: contribute to a culture ofcontinuous improvement, incident reporting and learning within the PCN.

Flexibility: undertake any other dutiescommensurate with the role and banding, as reasonably required by the PCN.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities1. Health Promotion &Prevention
Deliver opportunistic and planned healthpromotion advice on diet, physical activity, alcohol and weight management,escalating to a registered clinician where specialist advice is needed.

Support smoking cessation activity, includingbrief interventions and signposting to local stop-smoking services.

Support delivery of NHS Health Checks and otherprevention programmes, including basic measurements, height, weight, BMI, bloodpressure.

Provide patients with health promotionliterature and signpost to community, voluntary sector and social prescribingservices.

Support uptake of national screening programmes e.g. cervical, bowel, and breast, through patient information and reminders.
2. Vaccination & Immunisation
Prepare vaccination clinics, including stockchecks, cold chain monitoring, equipment set-up and clinic room readiness.

Support the administration of vaccines oncetrained, assessed as competent and formally authorised to do so.

Accurately record all vaccinations given on theclinical system (EMIS/SystmOne), including batch numbers and consent, in linewith PCN and practice protocols.

Monitor patients following vaccination forimmediate reactions and escalate any concerns promptly to a registeredclinician.

Support seasonal campaigns e.g. flu, COVID-19,RSV, and childhood or adult catch-up clinics across all PCN sites.

Assist with maintaining vaccine stock, ordering,and accurate cold chain documentation.
3. Clinical Observations &Support
Undertake and accurately record routine clinicalobservations, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate,oxygen saturations, height, weight and urinalysis.

Support registered professionals during clinics,including chaperoning, preparing rooms and equipment, and assisting withclinical procedures.

Undertake ECG recording once trained andassessed as competent.

Undertake venepuncture-phlebotomy services oncetrained and assessed as competent, where required by the PCN.

Prepare, clean and maintain clinical rooms andequipment, including stock rotation and calibration checks, in line withinfection control standards.
4. Long-Term Condition & MDTSupport
Support patients attending long-term conditionreview clinics e.g. diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and asthma, by takingmeasurements and completing structured templates ahead of clinician review.

Work alongside GPs, nurses, pharmacists, socialprescribers and other ARRS roles as part of the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team.

Support proactive care initiatives, includingvirtual and in-person care home rounds and case-finding activities, undersupervision.

Help identify patients experiencing healthinequalities or wider social and welfare needs, escalating to the appropriateteam member e.g. social prescriber and care coordinator.
5. Delegated Clinical Care
Deliver basic wound care, including simple woundcleansing, dressing changes and skin care, strictly in line with a care planset by a registered professional.

Support continence and personal care tasks asdirected by a registered clinician, where required.

Carry out delegated care tasks accurately andsafely, working within the defined limits of the role and competencies.

Recognise when a patient's presentation fallsoutside the scope of the role and escalate promptly to more senior clinicalstaff.
6. Records, Governance &Escalation
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legibleclinical records on EMIS-SystmOne, in line with PCN documentation standards.

Support data quality and template completion forPCN audits, QOF and Enhanced Access/DES requirements.

Report safety incidents, near misses andsafeguarding concerns promptly, following PCN incident-reporting andsafeguarding policies.

Maintain patient confidentiality at all times,in line with data protection legislation and the PCN's information governancepolicy.
7. Flexible Network Working
Work flexibly across the PCN according topatient and service need.

Adapt to the working practices, clinical systemsand teams of different member practices.

Travel between sites as required, in line withthe PCN's travel and expenses policy.

General / CorporateResponsibilities
Confidentiality: treat all information relatingto patients, staff and PCN business as strictly confidential, in line with theData Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR and the PCN's Information Governance policy.

Health & Safety: take reasonable care ofyour own health and safety and that of others, complying with the PCN's Health& Safety policy and reporting hazards promptly.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: treat allpatients, visitors and colleagues with dignity and respect, and act inaccordance with the PCN's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.

Infection Prevention and Control: adhere toinfection prevention and control policies and procedures at all times,including hand hygiene, use of PPE and safe waste disposal.

Safeguarding: act in accordance with the PCN'ssafeguarding children and adults policies, escalating any concerns promptlythrough the appropriate pathway.

Personal & Professional Development:participate in mandatory training, supervision, appraisal and the CareCertificate (where applicable), and take an active role in your own personaldevelopment plan.

Quality and Safety: contribute to a culture ofcontinuous improvement, incident reporting and learning within the PCN.

Flexibility: undertake any other dutiescommensurate with the role and banding, as reasonably required by the PCN.

Person Specification

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Good communication and interpersonal skills; basic IT and record-keeping skills; ability to work as part of a team; understanding of confidentiality.

Desirable

• Awareness of long-term condition management; understanding of health promotion principles; knowledge of primary care systems (EMIS/SystmOne.

Other

Essential

• Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain); occupational health clearance Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel between sites.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Caring, compassionate and patient-focused; reliable and flexible; willing to learn and develop; able to travel flexibly across PCN sites.

Desirable

• Interest in personal development.

Qualifications

Essential

• Essential:
• Willingness to complete the Care Certificate within the first 12 weeks, fully supported and funded by the PCN.

Desirable

• Desirable:
• Care Certificate already completed; NVQ/QCF Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care; GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.

Experience

Essential

• None required for entry-level applicants full training given.
• Experienced applicants: previous experience as a Healthcare Assistant, Support Worker or in a care setting.

Desirable

• Experience of vaccination/immunisation administration; experience working in a GP practice or wider primary care setting or in Support Worker role.

Person Specification
Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Good communication and interpersonal skills; basic IT and record-keeping skills; ability to work as part of a team; understanding of confidentiality.

Desirable

• Awareness of long-term condition management; understanding of health promotion principles; knowledge of primary care systems (EMIS/SystmOne.

Other

Essential

• Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain); occupational health clearance Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel between sites.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Caring, compassionate and patient-focused; reliable and flexible; willing to learn and develop; able to travel flexibly across PCN sites.

Desirable

• Interest in personal development.

Qualifications

Essential

• Essential:
• Willingness to complete the Care Certificate within the first 12 weeks, fully supported and funded by the PCN.

Desirable

• Desirable:
• Care Certificate already completed; NVQ/QCF Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care; GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.

Experience

Essential

• None required for entry-level applicants full training given.
• Experienced applicants: previous experience as a Healthcare Assistant, Support Worker or in a care setting.

Desirable

• Experience of vaccination/immunisation administration; experience working in a GP practice or wider primary care setting or in Support Worker role.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Swaffham & Downham Primary Care Network
Address

Swaffham & Downham PCN

Marham Surgery, The Street

The Street

Marham, King's Lynn

Norfolk

PE33 9HP

United Kingdom

Employer's website

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

PE33 9HP

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

09-09-2026

Profession type

Health / Medical

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No