Job summary
An exciting opportunity is available for an exceptional individual with a strong clinical background to join a General Practice team in a new and innovative role.

This is not a traditional reception or Healthcare Assistant position. The role is suited to someone who combines substantial clinical knowledge with excellent patient communication skills and enjoys applying this knowledge in a busy primary care environment.

The post provides a clinically informed first point of contact for patients, supporting care navigation and recognising when further clinical assessment or monitoring may be required.

The role requires sound clinical understanding and judgement, practical skills, effective communication and a willingness to learn. The post holder will work within defined protocols and competencies, with appropriate clinical supervision, and will not be expected to diagnose patients or work beyond their agreed scope.

Previous NHS general practice experience is advantageous but not essential. Previous reception or care-navigation experience is also not essential, as training will be provided in practice systems, patient pathways and care navigation.

Clinical experience and training gained outside the UK will be valued alongside UK experience. We welcome candidates with diverse clinical backgrounds, including international healthcare education and experience.

Main duties of the job
The role combines practical clinical support with a clinically informed patient-facing function. The post holder will undertake a range of clinical activities, support long-term condition monitoring and provide an effective first point of contact for patients, including front-of-house and care navigation responsibilities.

The role will involve supporting patients with their clinical and administrative needs, recognising when further assessment or clinical input is required, and ensuring appropriate escalation of concerns. The post holder will support the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred care.

About us
We are an NHS GP Practice in Islington, London developing a new and innovative approach to the clinical front door of General Practice.

Our aim is to provide patients with an initial point of contact where clinical understanding can be used alongside effective communication and care navigation.

We want the first interaction with the practice to be meaningful and helpful. Where appropriate, relevant information and observations can be obtained before the patient is directed to the most appropriate clinical or administrative pathway.

Job responsibilities
The post holder will undertake a combination of clinical, patient-facing and front-of-house responsibilities, working within their assessed competence and agreed protocols.

Clinical duties may include phlebotomy, physiological observations, ECGs, urinalysis, NHS Health Checks, cardiovascular and diabetic monitoring, preventive health activities and supporting minor surgery. Additional competencies may be developed following appointment through appropriate training and assessment.

The role will support patients with long-term conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, CKD, asthma, COPD, obesity and frailty, helping to ensure appropriate observations and investigations are completed before clinical reviews. An understanding of the purpose of investigations and how they contribute to patient care is important.

As part of the clinical front door, the post holder will welcome patients, establish the reason for contact, gather relevant information and support appropriate care navigation. The role includes a front-of-house element but is not a traditional reception position. Clinical awareness will be used to recognise when further assessment or clinical advice may be required.

The post holder will recognise defined warning symptoms, escalate concerns appropriately and seek clinical advice when a patient's needs fall outside the scope of the role. The role does not involve diagnosing patients.

The post holder will communicate effectively with patients and colleagues, maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries, and contribute to safe, compassionate and patient-centred care.

Training will be provided in NHS General Practice systems, care navigation, local pathways and practice processes. The post holder will participate in competency assessment, maintain their clinical skills and seek guidance whenever required.

Qualifications
Essential

• Strong clinical knowledge
• Substantial formal medical, nursing or healthcare training
• Excellent spoken and written English
• Understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Comfortable using IT and learning clinical systems
• Willingness to undertake competency assessment and further training

Experience
Essential

• Previous healthcare or clinical experience
• Good understanding of common acute and long-term medical conditions
• Good practical clinical skills
• Excellent patient communication skills
• Experience of direct patient contact
• Ability to recognise clinical concerns and escalate appropriately
• Ability to recognise when something does not appear clinically right
• Understanding of the importance of seeking senior clinical advice
• Ability to work calmly in a busy patient-facing environment
• Confidence communicating with people from different backgrounds

Desirable

• Phlebotomy experience
• Previous clinical observations experience
• ECG experience
• Experience with diabetes or cardiovascular monitoring
• Experience assisting with minor procedures
• Experience managing or supporting patients with long-term conditions
• NHS or UK healthcare experience
• EMIS Web experience
• Previous experience in General Practice or primary care

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.