To support the delivery of person-centred care for older adults within the Ageing Well team, focusing on proactive, preventative, and holistic approaches to improving health and wellbeing. The HCA will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team (MDT) to deliver care in line with the Ageing Well framework, including anticipatory care, community response, and enhanced health in care homes.
This role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a pioneering team focused on enhancing care for older adults. By joining the Ageing Well team, you will make a real difference to patients' lives while developing your own skills and career in community healthcare.
Main duties of the job
This role focuses on providing clinical care and support for older adults, including health assessments, managing long-term conditions, and performing tasks like wound care, phlebotomy, and medication reviews. The post-holder supports community response services, conducts care home visits, and escalates concerns to clinical leads, ensuring comprehensive and effective care delivery. Monitoring vital signs, assisting with care planning, and promoting adherence to treatments are key responsibilities.
Health promotion and administrative duties are central to the role, including delivering advice on falls prevention, nutrition, and exercise while supporting self-care for minor ailments and chronic conditions. The post-holder maintains accurate patient records, organises multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, and contributes to personalised care plans, requiring strong organisational and communication skills.
Collaboration is essential, involving close work with GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, and community organisations. The role demands respect for patient confidentiality and the ability to travel between PCN sites and patient homes. Flexibility is key, with the expectation to adapt duties to meet the evolving needs of the Primary Care Network (PCN), ensuring efficient and patient-centred care.
About us
Jurassic Coast Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group of GP practices based in rural West Dorset, working together to provide high-quality, personalised healthcare to the local community. The PCN includes a mix of healthcare professionals like social prescribers, clinical pharmacists, digital care coordinators, and admin staff. These teams work across several hubs in the area to make sure everyone can access the care they need.
The PCN prides itself on being supportive and inclusive, with a real focus on staff well-being as a key part of delivering great patient care. It's built on values like respect, attention to detail, active listening, openness, empowering patients, and always learning and improving.
People who work there often describe it as fast-paced, lively, and caring. There's a real sense of teamwork and making a difference to the lives of local patients, with the beautiful surroundings of the Jurassic Coast providing an added bonus.
Job responsibilities
Clinical Duties
1. Assist in the delivery of health assessments for older adults including physical health checks, frailty assessments, and wellbeing reviews.
2. Support the management of long-term conditions by monitoring vital signs, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, ECGs, and other relevant parameters.
3. Administer basic wound care, phlebotomy, and other clinical tasks within the scope of practice.
4. Assist in medication reviews including ensuring adherence to prescribed treatments and supporting medication audits.
5. Provide support for community response services including initial observations and escalation of concerns to clinical leads.
6. Support enhanced health in care homes by conducting regular visits, building relationships with residents, and assisting with care planning where required.
Health Promotion
1. Deliver health promotion activities such as falls prevention advice, nutritional guidance, and exercise support tailored to older adults.
2. Provide advice and guidance to patients and carers about self-care and managing minor ailments or chronic conditions.
Administrative Duties
1. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on patient care using the appropriate clinical systems.
2. Assist with organising and coordinating MDT meetings including preparing relevant documentation and supporting follow-up actions.
3. Contribute to the development of care plans and personalised care strategies for patients.
Team Collaboration
1. Work closely with GPs, nurses, PCN and practice colleagues, allied health professionals, social care teams, and voluntary organisations to ensure a joined-up approach to care.
2. Participate in team meetings, training, and quality improvement initiatives.
Respect for Patient Confidentiality
The post-holder should always respect patient confidentiality and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.
Special Working Conditions
The post-holder is required to travel independently between PCN sites to patient homes and to attend meetings hosted by other agencies.
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 PCN and member practices.
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.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities and Attributes
* Compassionate, person-centred approach to care.
* Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the service.
* Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare.
Skills and Knowledge
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with older adults, carers, and professionals.
* Strong organisational and time-management skills.
* Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
* Competent in using Microsoft Office applications.
* Awareness of safeguarding principles, especially for vulnerable adults.
* Competent in using clinical IT systems (e.g. SystmOne).
* Knowledge of long-term condition management and frailty care.
Other
* A full, clean UK driving license and access to a vehicle (for community visits).
* Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check.
Experience
* Experience working in primary care, community healthcare, or a similar setting.
* Previous experience in supporting older adults, particularly those with frailty or long-term conditions.
Qualifications
* Education, Qualifications & Training: NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent qualification/experience).
* Certification in phlebotomy, wound care, or other relevant clinical skills or willingness to obtain this qualification.
* Care Certificate.
* Training in frailty management or working with older adults.
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.
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