Lead Healthcare Assistant

Description

We are looking for an empathetic and motivated individual who values teamwork and consistently demonstrates our TRUST company values. As a Lead Healthcare Assistant in a junior management capacity, you will help ensure the smooth running of our Dermatology Outpatient clinics, supporting both the clinical team and the wider organisation.

Your role will involve overseeing daily tasks for other HCAs, while maintaining a high standard of patient care and service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

The Role

In this junior management position, you will balance hands-on clinical duties with supervisory responsibilities. You will coordinate clinic setup, provide support to clinicians, and assist with minor procedures, all while guiding and overseeing the work of fellow Healthcare Assistants. You will also contribute to ongoing service improvements by sharing insights with the Services Manager and your team.

Main Duties & Responsibilities(Core functions, but not limited to)

Organisation & setting up of clinics

· Coordinate the setup and preparation of dermatology outpatient clinics, ensuring all necessary equipment and resources are available.

· Work with the Referral Management Centre to verify correct scheduling of patient appointments.

· Oversee stock control, making sure essential items (e.g., pathology forms, patient surveys, and emergency contact lists) are up to date.

· Conduct daily checks of clinical areas, resolving or escalating issues promptly.

· Transport equipment to and from clinic locations as required.

· Ensure compliance with all infection prevention measures and data protection policies.

Clinical Support

· Assist clinicians during minor surgical procedures and patient consultations.

· Greet patients, providing reassurance and directing them from the waiting area to the consultation room.

· Act as a chaperone where needed, promoting patient comfort and safety.

· Use clinical systems such as SystmOne to record and manage patient information accurately.

· Encourage patients to complete feedback surveys, ensuring continuous service improvement.

Junior Management and Supervision

· Provide day-to-day guidance and support to other Healthcare Assistants, offering mentorship and sharing best practice.

· Allocate tasks effectively within the HCA team, ensuring workload is managed and patient care is prioritised.

· Participate in the induction and ongoing training of new HCAs, helping them integrate into the team.

· Maintain clear lines of communication with the Services Manager regarding team performance, resource needs, and any arising issues. Service Development

· Offer suggestions for service enhancements, drawing on your frontline experience to support quality improvement initiatives.

· Assist in promoting DMC Healthcare’s Dermatology services to local GP practices, aiming to strengthen referral pathways.

· Adhere to and help refine departmental policies and procedures to maintain high standards of patient care.

· Collaborate with internal departments such as Estates and Supplies to resolve operational challenges.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Essential
Qualification and training

· Minimum GCSE or equivalent qualifications

· Previous Band 2 or Band 3 Healthcare Assistant experience

Experience

· Minimum 6-month experience in the last 2 years in the UK, as an HCA

· Hands on interaction with patients in a healthcare setting

· Exposure to supervising or supporting junior staff (formal or informal) is advantageous

Knowledge and Technical Ability

· Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively

· Good time management, particularly under pressure or in busy clinic environments

· Proven communication and interpersonal skills to foster teamwork and ensure excellent patient care

· Empathetic and respectful approach to patients, maintaining professionalism and confidentiality at all times

· Familiarity with regulatory requirements, demonstrating a proactive approach to problem-solving and escalation This role may require you to travel between DMC sites. If you are ready to take the next step in your healthcare career, balancing hands-on patient care with junior management responsibilities, we encourage you to apply for the Lead Healthcare Assistant position.