HCA - Prevention and Physical Health programme

Job Purpose To support the delivery of community-based prevention and physical health programmes across GP practices and community settings, including: • Atrial Fibrillation (AF) case finding and stroke prevention initiatives • Severe Mental Illness (SMI) physical health checks • Health promotion and prevention programmes The postholder will work under appropriate clinical supervision and within clearly defined protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to: • Identify and engage eligible patients • Undertake delegated clinical observations, screening and health checks • Accurately document and transfer clinical information • Support patient engagement, prevention and health improvement • Escalate concerns appropriately to registered clinicians The role is non-diagnostic and does not involve independent clinical decision-making. Key Working Relationships • GP Federation Operations Team • Chief Nurse and Clinical Leads • GP Practices and Primary Care Teams • GPwSI / Clinical Supervisors • Public Health Teams • Community and Voluntary Sector Partners • Acute and Community Trust Staff where appropriate Key Responsibilities 1. Patient Identification and Engagement • Identify eligible patients for AF case finding and SMI physical health checks • Approach patients in a professional, compassionate and culturally sensitive manner • Explain the purpose of screening, prevention and health checks • Provide approved patient information and health promotion materials • Support patients to engage with follow-up appointments and services 2. Consent and Data Collection • Obtain informed verbal consent in line with organisational SOPs • Record accurate patient demographics and clinical information • Ensure all information is documented appropriately within clinical systems • Maintain accurate and timely records at all times 3. Physical Health Checks and Screening Undertake delegated clinical tasks following training and competency assessment, including: AF Case Finding • Undertake single-lead ECG recordings using approved devices (e.g. AliveCor Kardia) • Repeat readings where required in line with protocol • Ensure safe and correct use of equipment SMI Physical Health Checks Undertake and record: • Blood pressure measurements • Pulse checks • Height and weight measurements • BMI calculation • Lifestyle assessments • Venepuncture • Smoking and alcohol status assessments • Basic health questionnaires and screening tools The postholder must work strictly within their scope of competence and training at all times. 4. Communication and Escalation • Communicate screening outputs and factual results only, in line with SOPs • Explain next steps clearly to patients • Escalate abnormal findings, concerns or deteriorating patients immediately to a clinician • Maintain professional boundaries at all times The postholder must NOT: • Diagnose medical conditions • Interpret ECG traces independently • Provide clinical reassurance outside competency • Make treatment decisions 5. Health Promotion and MECC Apply Making Every Contact Count (MECC) principles by providing brief advice and signposting relating to: • Smoking cessation • Healthy eating and weight management • Physical activity • Alcohol reduction • Cardiovascular health • Mental wellbeing • Access to local support services 6. Data Handling and Record Keeping • Accurately record all activity within EMIS or other approved systems • Ensure secure handling and transfer of patient information • Maintain confidentiality in line with UK GDPR, NHS guidance and organisational policies • Ensure no patient identifiable information is stored on personal devices 7. Infection Prevention and Equipment Care • Clean equipment between patient use in line with IPC guidance • Ensure clinical equipment is maintained, charged and functioning correctly • Report faults or concerns promptly 8. Safeguarding • Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns • Escalate concerns in line with safeguarding policies • Maintain professional and safe boundaries at all times 9. Incident Reporting and Quality Improvement • Report incidents, near misses or concerns using organisational reporting systems • Participate in audit, evaluation and service improvement activities • Contribute to learning and quality improvement initiatives 10. Professional Responsibilities • Maintain a professional, compassionate and non-judgemental approach • Work within organisational policies, procedures and codes of conduct • Maintain competencies and participate in supervision and appraisal • Work flexibly across sites and services where required Training and Development The postholder will complete all required statutory and mandatory training, including: • Basic Life Support • Infection Prevention and Control • Safeguarding Adults and Children • Information Governance • Device-specific and clinical skills training relevant to the role • Competency assessment and ongoing supervision will be provided. Job description Job responsibilities Job Purpose To support the delivery of community-based prevention and physical health programmes across GP practices and community settings, including: • Atrial Fibrillation (AF) case finding and stroke prevention initiatives • Severe Mental Illness (SMI) physical health checks • Health promotion and prevention programmes The postholder will work under appropriate clinical supervision and within clearly defined protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to: • Identify and engage eligible patients • Undertake delegated clinical observations, screening and health checks • Accurately document and transfer clinical information • Support patient engagement, prevention and health improvement • Escalate concerns appropriately to registered clinicians The role is non-diagnostic and does not involve independent clinical decision-making. Key Working Relationships • GP Federation Operations Team • Chief Nurse and Clinical Leads • GP Practices and Primary Care Teams • GPwSI / Clinical Supervisors • Public Health Teams • Community and Voluntary Sector Partners • Acute and Community Trust Staff where appropriate Key Responsibilities 1. Patient Identification and Engagement • Identify eligible patients for AF case finding and SMI physical health checks • Approach patients in a professional, compassionate and culturally sensitive manner • Explain the purpose of screening, prevention and health checks • Provide approved patient information and health promotion materials • Support patients to engage with follow-up appointments and services 2. Consent and Data Collection • Obtain informed verbal consent in line with organisational SOPs • Record accurate patient demographics and clinical information • Ensure all information is documented appropriately within clinical systems • Maintain accurate and timely records at all times 3. Physical Health Checks and Screening Undertake delegated clinical tasks following training and competency assessment, including: AF Case Finding • Undertake single-lead ECG recordings using approved devices (e.g. AliveCor Kardia) • Repeat readings where required in line with protocol • Ensure safe and correct use of equipment SMI Physical Health Checks Undertake and record: • Blood pressure measurements • Pulse checks • Height and weight measurements • BMI calculation • Lifestyle assessments • Venepuncture • Smoking and alcohol status assessments • Basic health questionnaires and screening tools The postholder must work strictly within their scope of competence and training at all times. 4. Communication and Escalation • Communicate screening outputs and factual results only, in line with SOPs • Explain next steps clearly to patients • Escalate abnormal findings, concerns or deteriorating patients immediately to a clinician • Maintain professional boundaries at all times The postholder must NOT: • Diagnose medical conditions • Interpret ECG traces independently • Provide clinical reassurance outside competency • Make treatment decisions 5. Health Promotion and MECC Apply Making Every Contact Count (MECC) principles by providing brief advice and signposting relating to: • Smoking cessation • Healthy eating and weight management • Physical activity • Alcohol reduction • Cardiovascular health • Mental wellbeing • Access to local support services 6. Data Handling and Record Keeping • Accurately record all activity within EMIS or other approved systems • Ensure secure handling and transfer of patient information • Maintain confidentiality in line with UK GDPR, NHS guidance and organisational policies • Ensure no patient identifiable information is stored on personal devices 7. Infection Prevention and Equipment Care • Clean equipment between patient use in line with IPC guidance • Ensure clinical equipment is maintained, charged and functioning correctly • Report faults or concerns promptly 8. Safeguarding • Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns • Escalate concerns in line with safeguarding policies • Maintain professional and safe boundaries at all times 9. Incident Reporting and Quality Improvement • Report incidents, near misses or concerns using organisational reporting systems • Participate in audit, evaluation and service improvement activities • Contribute to learning and quality improvement initiatives 10. Professional Responsibilities • Maintain a professional, compassionate and non-judgemental approach • Work within organisational policies, procedures and codes of conduct • Maintain competencies and participate in supervision and appraisal • Work flexibly across sites and services where required Training and Development The postholder will complete all required statutory and mandatory training, including: • Basic Life Support • Infection Prevention and Control • Safeguarding Adults and Children • Information Governance • Device-specific and clinical skills training relevant to the role • Competency assessment and ongoing supervision will be provided.