Healthcare Support Worker (Entry Level & Experienced)

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Swaffham & Downham Primary Care Network Healthcare Support Worker (Entry Level & Experienced)

The closing date is 02 October 2026

Apply for this job

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 health promotion advice on diet, physical activity, alcohol and weight management, escalating to a registered clinician where specialist advice is needed.

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

Support delivery of NHS Health Checks and other prevention programmes, including basic measurements (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure).

Provide patients with health promotion literature and signpost to community, voluntary sector and social prescribing services.

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

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

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

Accurately record all vaccinations given on the clinical system (EMIS/SystmOne), including batch numbers and consent, in line with PCN and practice protocols.

Monitor patients following vaccination for immediate reactions and escalate any concerns promptly to a registered clinician.

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 innovative network that values its staff. We invest in wellbeing, training and development at every level, and we are proud to offer routes into healthcare careers for people at the very start of their journey, alongside opportunities for experienced practitioners to grow and specialise.

Details

Date posted

04 September 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Salary subject to skills & experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A5629-26-0010

Job locations

Swaffham & Downham PCN

Marham Surgery, The Street

The Street

Marham, King's Lynn

Norfolk

PE33 9HP

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities1. Health Promotion & Prevention

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

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

Support delivery of NHS Health Checks and other prevention programmes, including basic measurements, height, weight, BMI, blood pressure.

Provide patients with health promotion literature and signpost to community, voluntary sector and social prescribing services.

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

2. Vaccination & Immunisation

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

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

Accurately record all vaccinations given on the clinical system (EMIS/SystmOne), including batch numbers and consent, in line with PCN and practice protocols.

Monitor patients following vaccination for immediate reactions and escalate any concerns promptly to a registered clinician.

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 clinical observations, 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 with clinical procedures.

Undertake ECG recording once trained and assessed as competent.

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

Prepare, clean and maintain clinical rooms and equipment, including stock rotation and calibration checks, in line with infection control standards.

4. Long-Term Condition & MDT Support

Support patients attending long-term condition review clinics e.g. diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and asthma, by taking measurements and completing structured templates ahead of clinician review.

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

Support proactive care initiatives, including virtual and in-person care home rounds and case-finding activities, under supervision.

Help identify patients experiencing health inequalities or wider social and welfare needs, escalating to the appropriate team member e.g. social prescriber and care coordinator.

5. Delegated Clinical Care

Deliver basic wound care, including simple wound cleansing, dressing changes and skin care, strictly in line with a care plan set by a registered professional.

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

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

Recognise when a patient's presentation falls outside the scope of the role and escalate promptly to more senior clinical staff.

6. Records, Governance & Escalation

Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legible clinical records on EMIS-SystmOne, in line with PCN documentation standards.

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

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

Maintain patient confidentiality at all times, in line with data protection legislation and the PCN's information governance policy.

7. Flexible Network Working

Work flexibly across the PCN according to patient and service need.

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

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

General / Corporate Responsibilities

Confidentiality: treat all information relating to patients, staff and PCN business as strictly confidential, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR and the PCN's Information Governance policy.

Health & Safety: take reasonable care of your 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 all patients, visitors and colleagues with dignity and respect, and act in accordance with the PCN's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.

Infection Prevention and Control: adhere to infection 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's safeguarding children and adults policies, escalating any concerns promptly through the appropriate pathway.

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

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

Flexibility: undertake any other duties commensurate 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 health promotion advice on diet, physical activity, alcohol and weight management, escalating to a registered clinician where specialist advice is needed.

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

Support delivery of NHS Health Checks and other prevention programmes, including basic measurements, height, weight, BMI, blood pressure.

Provide patients with health promotion literature and signpost to community, voluntary sector and social prescribing services.

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

2. Vaccination & Immunisation

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

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

Accurately record all vaccinations given on the clinical system (EMIS/SystmOne), including batch numbers and consent, in line with PCN and practice protocols.

Monitor patients following vaccination for immediate reactions and escalate any concerns promptly to a registered clinician.

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 clinical observations, 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 with clinical procedures.

Undertake ECG recording once trained and assessed as competent.

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

Prepare, clean and maintain clinical rooms and equipment, including stock rotation and calibration checks, in line with infection control standards.

4. Long-Term Condition & MDT Support

Support patients attending long-term condition review clinics e.g. diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and asthma, by taking measurements and completing structured templates ahead of clinician review.

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

Support proactive care initiatives, including virtual and in-person care home rounds and case-finding activities, under supervision.

Help identify patients experiencing health inequalities or wider social and welfare needs, escalating to the appropriate team member e.g. social prescriber and care coordinator.

5. Delegated Clinical Care

Deliver basic wound care, including simple wound cleansing, dressing changes and skin care, strictly in line with a care plan set by a registered professional.

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

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

Recognise when a patient's presentation falls outside the scope of the role and escalate promptly to more senior clinical staff.

6. Records, Governance & Escalation

Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legible clinical records on EMIS-SystmOne, in line with PCN documentation standards.

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

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

Maintain patient confidentiality at all times, in line with data protection legislation and the PCN's information governance policy.

7. Flexible Network Working

Work flexibly across the PCN according to patient and service need.

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

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

General / Corporate Responsibilities

Confidentiality: treat all information relating to patients, staff and PCN business as strictly confidential, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR and the PCN's Information Governance policy.

Health & Safety: take reasonable care of your 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 all patients, visitors and colleagues with dignity and respect, and act in accordance with the PCN's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.

Infection Prevention and Control: adhere to infection 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's safeguarding children and adults policies, escalating any concerns promptly through the appropriate pathway.

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

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

Flexibility: undertake any other duties commensurate 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

https://www.swaffham-doctors.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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

https://www.swaffham-doctors.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

PCN Manager

Rebecca Credgington

[email protected]

07310425440

Details

Date posted

04 September 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Salary subject to skills & experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A5629-26-0010

Job locations

Swaffham & Downham PCN

Marham Surgery, The Street

The Street

Marham, King's Lynn

Norfolk

PE33 9HP

United Kingdom

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Swaffham & Downham Primary Care Network's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

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