Healthcare Assistant

Job summary
This is an INTERNAL position for a part-time 20 hour per week Band 3 Healthcare Assistant within Sexual Health. The main part of this role will be based within the Community CASH Team at Bishop Auckland Hospital. However, successful candidate will work as part of a multi-professional team under the direction of qualified health care staff who will be providing comprehensive, evidence based and patient focused sexual health care. This will include community-based Contraception and Sexual Health (CaSH clinics) and Chlamydia screening and related public health activities and initiatives as well as hospital based Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM). The 20 hours will be rostered depending on clinical need, Monday to Friday, day time and early evening clinics, with the occasional Saturday.

This is a blended role of part clinical, part administrative, encompassing use of IT, reception duties, booking lines, clinic administration, alongside clinical duties such as smooth running of the clinic, chaperoning, venepuncture and clinical support for the qualified staff members. The post requires someone with excellent communication and written skills and clinical experience.

Main duties of the job
The post holder is responsible for supporting both the nursing and medical staff in the care and treatment of patients attending sexual health services. With the blended role of clinical and administrative responsibilities recognising the importance of both elements in the smooth running of the service.

The post is allocated a nominal base but requires flexibility to work across Trust and community locations, including CaSH clinics, Chlamydia screening programmes, and related public health initiatives.

This is a blended clinical and administrative role within the Sexual Health Service, supporting clinic delivery through reception, appointment booking, clinic administration, chaperoning, venepuncture, and clinical support to registered staff. The post holder will require excellent communication skills and a professional, non-judgemental approach to patient care.

Job responsibilities

• General housekeeping duties related to clinical examination rooms and laboratory areas.
• Liaise with laboratory staff to request stock and results and process specimens.
• Ensure appropriate labelling and storage and transportation of specimens.
• After training as required, to undertake basic clinical observations/procedures as directed by doctor or nurse.
• Communicates and gives care to all patients in a non-judgmental manner
• Undertake urine testing for infection and pregnancy testing, as instructed by trained staff
• Venepuncture after training and supervised practice
• Post treatment compliance and updating of partner details by telephone after training and supervised practice.
• Undertake test and go with appropriate patients and ensure that appropriate coding is completed
• Conduct basic sexual health screening in outreach settings.
• Assist and observe patients undertaking clinical procedures such as IUS/IUD insertion, implant insertion and removal, biopsies with trained staff members
• Maintenance of strict patient confidentiality at all times.
• Abide by Trust policies and procedures (includes mandatory and statutory training)
• Triage patients using specific triage algorithm and book appropriate appointment slot.
• Administration and clinical preparation of clinics
• Answering calls on the booking lines and making patient appointments
• Reception duties including greeting patients and visitors on arrival in clinic
• Ensure registration / confidentiality forms are completed and attached to the EPR
• Ensure demographics are checked and updated at every contact / opportunity
• Monitor generic email and incoming requests / referrals appropriately
• Ensure clear and accurate records of all care contact with or regarding the patient is documented in the EPR
• Report to a Nurse or Doctor any disclosure or observation by patient of assault, abuse or untoward incidents
• After training to be able to discuss where appropriate with patients, various research projects that sexual health are undertaking.
• Provide C card service including registration and distribution adhering to the Fraser guidelines and recognise when to refer safeguarding issues to a Nurse or Doctor.

Person Specification
Essential

• The ability to work in a flexible way, including evening and weekend work as per clinic need.
• Ability to travel independently across different venues to fulfill the requirements of the post
• Relevant NVQ Level 3/Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care or equivalent relevant experience.
• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.
• Experience working unsupervised
• Awareness of the principles of confidentiality and relevant policies
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Competent use of IT.
• Demonstrate the ability to obtain blood samples from patients via Venepuncture desired but training can be given to the suitable candidate
• Demonstrate the ability to perform basic clinical observations/procedures as directed by doctor or nurse, desired but training can be given to the suitable candidate
• Able to demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm and commitment
• Able to work flexibly under pressure, rapid pace, and with an unpredictable work pattern
• Self-starter, able to work independently, on own initiative and to deadlines
• Ability to plan and organise workload to ensure safe service provision
• Team player - ability to engage positively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• Safeguarding Children training
• Safeguarding Adults training
• Experience of working within a sexual health or contraception setting or other relevant sensitive environment
• Experience of community-based work in a relevant field.
• NHS healthcare experience
• Experience of working with a diverse cohort of people including young people
• General sexual health and contraception knowledge
• Skilled in obtaining blood samples via venepuncture
• Knowledge of policies and procedures surrounding care of young people under 16

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 contact details
Contact: Madeleine Denning, m.denning@nhs.net, 07825865689

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented. Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success. Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.