LS25/26 PCN Healthcare Assistant and Social Prescriber

NHS; Leeds; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job description

LS25/26 PCN Healthcare Assistant and Social Prescriber

INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD ON THE 30th APRIL 2025

Assessment

Work as part of the multidisciplinary team in in-house clinics across a population of patients in several practices.

Take a holistic approach to supporting the assessment of the health and well-being needs of the individual patient which includes undertaking basic clinical observations to accurately assess and monitor a patient's blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen saturations and take blood samples.

Co-produce under supervision and evaluate personalised care plans against the health and well-being needs of the individual patient, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing.

Develop and agree care plans and if necessary, reviews for ongoing needs.

Support with information gathering; undertaking CCSP Part 1 as part of long-term condition management.

Manage and prioritise your own caseload under supervision and in accordance with the care needs, priorities and any urgent support required by the individual patient.

Develop trusting relationships both with the individual patient as well as members of the PCN and wider community groups all in pursuit of improving the health and care of the individual patient.

Main duties of the job

Intervention

Refer and liaise with a range of statutory and voluntary sector support agencies, ensuring the person has access to a wide range of support. Social prescribing is part of the role utilising the resources available to signpost to the right person that can offer help support.

Facilitate an awareness of the different resources available other than the health care sector that can help individuals holistically.

Building relationships with the wider teams such as the volunteer sector and local councils.

Where necessary identify urgent needs taking relevant action or liaison and familiarise with individual practice protocols.

Refer for relevant equipment including telecare to increase the person's independence.

Offer review and support to implement coping strategies to help manage mental health and dementia needs by referrals and signposting.

Provide guidance and support to increase the use of self-care methods.

Take a holistic approach to supporting the assessment of the health and well-being needs of the patient which includes undertaking basic clinical observations to accurately assess and monitor a patient's blood pressure, pulse respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen saturations, and take blood samples, and has an awareness of escalation procedures at each individual practice including emergency procedures and when to ring 999.

About us

Our Primary Care Network is a fantastic collaboration between 7 practices across our area. Each practice is unique and individual, but share the same common goal of working together for the greater good of our patients and community.

Our vision is to enable greater provision of proactive, personalised and more integrated health and social care. We aim to do that by bringing in a range of healthcare workers including social prescribers, health and wellbeing coaches, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, occupational therapists and paramedics.

We take pride in providing the best health care that we can, working with individual practices, community health care services and local community groups to offer a wide range of services that can really make a difference to our population.

Since the formation of PCN in 2019, we have gone from a small team of existing practice staff to a large team of over 20, and this continues to grow. Our staff in all our practices and our PCN take pride in serving the community, and I would like to thank them for all their hard work and commitment.

Job responsibilities

Monitor and review care plans and agreed outcomes in partnership with the person.

Promotion of the benefits of social prescribing and work of local groups and communities including responsibilities to educate other members of the PCN team on what services and support are available in the wider community.

Act as an advocate for the person and report to senior staff when required.

Communication

To provide, and receive, information with empathy and understanding, and to adapt communication when barriers to understanding arise seeking senior guidance when necessary.

To develop and maintain effective working relationships with other members of the primary care.

Administration

Keep timely, accurate and complete electronic patient records and activity data, all of which will be maintained and stored in accordance with professional and organisational standards.

To have responsibility for appropriate documentation related to patients in their care to be disseminated to all relevant professionals in a timely manner and in accordance with operating standards.

Clinical duties

Clinical duties which may be expected in-house include:

• Undertaking CCSP1 and dementia reviews
• NHS Health Checks
• Blood pressure recording
• Height/Weight recording
• Performing ECGs
• Urinalysis
• Accurate, legible labelling of all samples to confirm patient identity
• Checking patient identification against GP nurse request and confirming with patient
• Recording collection of blood sample in patient record in accordance with practice procedure
• Ensuring that samples are dispatched to the appropriate laboratories in a timely fashion
• Ensuring that anomalies are reported to a senior member of staff
• Notifying the GP nurse of any significant patient issues
• Liaising with and assisting members of the administrative team
• Perform health promotion or health education work
• Signpost and refer to appropriate services

Skills and Experience

Empathetic and caring, individual patient focused.

An experienced phlebotomist.

You will ideally also have good experience of working, or a desire to work with elderly patients.

Working in healthcare setting and delivery of care for patients, carers and their families.

Competent to carry out clinical observations, screening and assessments under supervision.

Hard working and motivated to achieve good outcomes for individuals and patients.

Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and to build effective relationships within that team.

In possession of excellent verbal and written communication skills.

In possession of good IT skills and able to use Office packages.

Organised with effective time management skills.

Other

To participate in discussions about the direction of service developments and improvements.

To participate in service audits and changes.

To participate in discussion for the implementation of policies and procedures.

To contribute to the health and safety of others and the environment.

To participate in appraisal processes and participate in CPD personal development plan.

To pro-actively participate in mandatory training and in service training.

To participate in mentoring and sharing best practice with colleagues and students.

Responsibilities and Confidentiality

The post holder is expected to:

Adhere to practice/PCN policies and procedures and relevant legislation.

Attend complete mandatory training as identified by the practice PCN.

The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and practice business in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation, Caldicott principles and Practice Information Governance policies and procedures.

Safeguarding

All employees have a duty for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. Staff must be familiar with the practice PCN's Safeguarding Policy and the process for raising concerns about the welfare of anyone with whom they have contact. Staff must also ensure they receive the appropriate level of safeguarding children and adult training.

Staff are expected to access supervision and support from their line managers and or the locality based safeguarding team when managing complex cases.

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 this position as requested by LS25 26 PCN. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to consider the development of the PCN. 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 PCN practices.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• English and Maths to GCSE Grade C or above or equivalent.
• Must be willing to participate in any relevant training qualification identified to develop skills required to carry out duties.
• NVQ level 3 or working towards.

Experience

• Previous experience working with the general public.
• Experience of relevant clinical area e.g. older people.
• Experience of organising and prioritising own workload.
• Working autonomously and as part of a team.
• Previous experience working in practice or PCN.
• Experience of working in health or social care settings without direct supervision.
• Experience in participating in clinical supervision.
• Experience with phlebotomy and vital observations.
• Previous experience working with frail older people.

Skills, Knowledge and Aptitudes

• Basic clinical skills relevant to clinical area.
• Phlebotomy trained.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Be able to provide high quality care.
• Ability to recognise risk and refer appropriately and safely.
• Flexible and motivated.
• Able to recognise and work within own limitations.
• Understanding of equal opportunity and diversity issues.
• Awareness of frailty and chronic conditions.
• Knowledge of the PCN and community working.
• Understanding of role of patient advocate.

Other requirements

• Current driving licence and access to own vehicle.
• Highly motivated and proactive.
• Flexibility of working hours.

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.

£24,000 to £26,600 a year Depending on experience