Job summary We are seeking a dedicated Healthcare Assistant to join our full-time team in Central London, supporting a diverse patient population experiencing homelessness in Westminster. The ideal candidate will be an experienced HCA with excellent interpersonal, planning, and organisational skills, and the ability to work effectively under pressure. Flexibility, motivation, and a strong commitment to addressing health inequality are essential. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering innovative services to a diverse and underserved community. This is a fixed-term role for 12 months, with the possibility of extension beyond this period based on service needs and performance. Main duties of the job The post holder will provide community and primary medical services to individuals experiencing homelessness as part of a multi-disciplinary team.The post holder will conduct initial health assessments and screenings, working closely with nursing and medical colleagues to identify and address the unique health and social needs of this population. About us Great Chapel Street Medical Centre (GCS) is a specialist GP surgery for people experiencing homelessness in Westminster. The service hosts both a core NHS GP surgery contract and additional central government funded health initiatives within hostels for people experiencing homelessness and dedicated projects such as the Women's Health Improvement Programme. GCS also works closely with street outreach and day centre teams supporting people rough sleeping within the borough. GCS's aim is to provide holistic complex case management of patients' health in the context of their homelessness, working closely with a variety of statutory and voluntary partners to achieve this. We are looking for an experienced HCA to join our dedicated team in this vital field of supported those experiencing health inequality. Date posted 24 January 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £24,083 to £25,051 a year Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number B0450-25-0000 Job locations Great Chapel Street Medical Centre 4th floor, Soho Centre for Health 1 Frith Street London W1D 3HZ Job description Job responsibilities -Be expected to carry out a holistic assessment in order to address both physical and well-being needs, subsequently assisting in the setting up of healthcare plan based on their assessment alongside a lead nurse. This will include support with the patients' physical and mental health needs, and highlighting any social care needs that the patient would benefit from being supported with. -Run a clinic with GP and Band 8 support alongside for new and existing patients once a week based at the GP surgery, with the rest of the working week being spent assessing and supporting patients as above in temporary 'health beds' within hostels and occasional street outreach alongside specialist support worker colleagues. -Provide clinical services including phlebotomy, TB and blood borne virus screening, new patient health assessments, obtaining clinical observations and screening for mental health problems, also ideally delivering vaccinations according to national programme/patient requirements (via Patient Specific Directives and with support of lead nurse) -Proactively identify and address own learning needs, ensuring knowledge is up to date in relevant housing and welfare legislation and local service provision. -Record work undertaken with patients accurately and timely, using GCS clinical systems, enabling the collection of monitoring and evaluation data. -Contribute to ongoing quality service evaluation, providing in depth case studies, gathering patient feedback and on occasion participate in research activity. -Comply with all GCS policies and training requirements. -Ensure databases remain up-to-date. Partnership and team working Develop and maintain links, working in partnership with external services such as hostel health navigators and support workers, supported accommodation providers, street outreach teams, other local specialist homeless GP services, substance misuse, and other relevant services to ensure patients' care plans are coordinated effectively. Patient involvement and empowerment The post holder will: Work with nursing colleagues to involve patients in developing their care plan, working transparently by managing expectations, explaining potential options in a way that patients can understand. Assist patients to understand and signpost them to obtain their welfare, housing, legal and related rights, addressing any barriers to understanding and involvement such as language, culture, mental or physical health. Advocate on behalf of individual patients effectively, clearly communicating the relevant circumstances of patients' lives to hospital staff, multi-disciplinary teams and other external agencies. Job description Job responsibilities -Be expected to carry out a holistic assessment in order to address both physical and well-being needs, subsequently assisting in the setting up of healthcare plan based on their assessment alongside a lead nurse. This will include support with the patients' physical and mental health needs, and highlighting any social care needs that the patient would benefit from being supported with. -Run a clinic with GP and Band 8 support alongside for new and existing patients once a week based at the GP surgery, with the rest of the working week being spent assessing and supporting patients as above in temporary 'health beds' within hostels and occasional street outreach alongside specialist support worker colleagues. -Provide clinical services including phlebotomy, TB and blood borne virus screening, new patient health assessments, obtaining clinical observations and screening for mental health problems, also ideally delivering vaccinations according to national programme/patient requirements (via Patient Specific Directives and with support of lead nurse) -Proactively identify and address own learning needs, ensuring knowledge is up to date in relevant housing and welfare legislation and local service provision. -Record work undertaken with patients accurately and timely, using GCS clinical systems, enabling the collection of monitoring and evaluation data. -Contribute to ongoing quality service evaluation, providing in depth case studies, gathering patient feedback and on occasion participate in research activity. -Comply with all GCS policies and training requirements. -Ensure databases remain up-to-date. Partnership and team working Develop and maintain links, working in partnership with external services such as hostel health navigators and support workers, supported accommodation providers, street outreach teams, other local specialist homeless GP services, substance misuse, and other relevant services to ensure patients' care plans are coordinated effectively. Patient involvement and empowerment The post holder will: Work with nursing colleagues to involve patients in developing their care plan, working transparently by managing expectations, explaining potential options in a way that patients can understand. Assist patients to understand and signpost them to obtain their welfare, housing, legal and related rights, addressing any barriers to understanding and involvement such as language, culture, mental or physical health. Advocate on behalf of individual patients effectively, clearly communicating the relevant circumstances of patients' lives to hospital staff, multi-disciplinary teams and other external agencies. Person Specification Values Essential Commitment to improving the health of homelessness patients Commitment to addressing social exclusion Commitment to promoting independence and patient choice Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities in service delivery Commitment to evidence-based practice Committed to continuing professional development Skills & Abilities Essential Excellent organisational skills and an ability to prioritise own caseload in a rapidly moving service Excellent oral and written communication skills Ability to engage with and manage expectations of patients with complex needs Excellent administrative and IT skills Positive attitude towards working collaboratively and supportively, seeking expertise of colleagues appropriately Self-motivated Knowledge Essential Knowledge of Inclusion Health Understanding of safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children, principles and procedures Understanding of the importance of involving patients as fully as possible in the process of care planning Understanding of both patient and personal safety issues on/off site Understanding of data protection regulations and the need for patient consent Desirable Can demonstrate an understanding of the health issues associated with chronic homelessness and social exclusion Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and its relevance when working with homeless patients Experience Essential Experience of working with vulnerable adults Experience of successful and assertive advocacy for individuals facing social exclusion to other agencies and statutory services Experience of positive and proactive joint working in addressing individual needs, communicating effectively with partner organisations Desirable Experience of joint working with healthcare services Able to demonstrate a good understanding of the challenges that homelessness patients face when accessing housing, healthcare, and other services Qualifications Essential NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent Level 2 Maths and English (e.g. GCSE grade C/4 or above) Desirable NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent Phlebotomy Person Specification Values Essential Commitment to improving the health of homelessness patients Commitment to addressing social exclusion Commitment to promoting independence and patient choice Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities in service delivery Commitment to evidence-based practice Committed to continuing professional development Skills & Abilities Essential Excellent organisational skills and an ability to prioritise own caseload in a rapidly moving service Excellent oral and written communication skills Ability to engage with and manage expectations of patients with complex needs Excellent administrative and IT skills Positive attitude towards working collaboratively and supportively, seeking expertise of colleagues appropriately Self-motivated Knowledge Essential Knowledge of Inclusion Health Understanding of safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children, principles and procedures Understanding of the importance of involving patients as fully as possible in the process of care planning Understanding of both patient and personal safety issues on/off site Understanding of data protection regulations and the need for patient consent Desirable Can demonstrate an understanding of the health issues associated with chronic homelessness and social exclusion Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and its relevance when working with homeless patients Experience Essential Experience of working with vulnerable adults Experience of successful and assertive advocacy for individuals facing social exclusion to other agencies and statutory services Experience of positive and proactive joint working in addressing individual needs, communicating effectively with partner organisations Desirable Experience of joint working with healthcare services Able to demonstrate a good understanding of the challenges that homelessness patients face when accessing housing, healthcare, and other services Qualifications Essential NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent Level 2 Maths and English (e.g. GCSE grade C/4 or above) Desirable NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent Phlebotomy 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 Homeless Health CIC Address Great Chapel Street Medical Centre 4th floor, Soho Centre for Health 1 Frith Street London W1D 3HZ Employer's website https://greatchapelst.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)