Band 3 Healthcare Assistant

Band 3 Healthcare Assistant – Defence Primary Healthcare (Colchester Medical Centre)

Closing date: 02 March 2026

Here at Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) we are an inclusive and dedicated organisation working to provide excellent care to our authorised personnel. We are looking for a dynamic, organised and efficient Band 3 Healthcare Assistant who will join our Primary Health Care team at Colchester Medical Centre. You may be required to cover occasional clinics at the Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) and may work at other sites within the Colchester Combined Practice (Woodbridge & Wattisham) as business needs dictate.

The post is full‑time, 37.5 hours per week. Requests for flexible or part‑time work will be considered, taking into account business needs.

As part of the Colchester Group Practice you may also travel to linked practice sites; travel time and cost will be reimbursed.

Free on‑site parking, access to a gym, pay‑as‑you‑dine facilities and a supportive inclusive culture are among the benefits of working with us.

As the successful candidate you will work as part of a multidisciplinary primary healthcare team, supporting the delivery of primary care nursing and elements of occupational health.

Preferred if you have prior experience of primary care. Training will be provided.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing high‑quality person‑centred primary care, respecting patients' safety, privacy and dignity and using evidence‑based clinical knowledge.
• Delivering appropriate treatment, screening and advice within your professional competence, in line with DPHC clinical guidelines and protocols.
• Supporting preventative health programmes such as travel and vaccination clinics, new patient screening, audiometry, 24‑hour blood pressure monitoring and weight management.
• Performing technical nursing treatments and procedures for patients with complex or specialist healthcare needs (e.g., wound care, suture removal, ECGs, audiometry).
• Prioritising workload, managing time effectively and providing safe, evidence‑based, cost‑effective care.

Our success depends on our people: the Whole Force – regular and reservist military, civil servants and contractors – all working together seamlessly. With over 2,000 roles across 650 sites worldwide, this is an excellent time to join one of the largest, most exciting departments in government.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to attracting and retaining people from a full range of backgrounds and to enabling flexible ways of working. We offer maternity, adoption and shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and an additional 13 weeks unpaid; paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay.

We support learning and development, recognise expertise and provide a safe and healthy working environment.

• Deliver person‑centred primary care respecting safety, privacy and dignity.
• Provide treatment and advice within competence, following guidelines.
• Assist with preventative health programmes.
• Perform nursing treatments and specialist procedures.
• Manage workload and time effectively.

For full details, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

The sift will be completed within 10 working days of the Final date to receive applications. Interviews will be scheduled subsequently.

At the application stage you will be assessed against the CV criteria and the skills outlined in the Job Description. The Selection Process values honesty; AI use must be truthful and directly from your experience.

At interview you will be assessed against the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework categories listed below.

• NHS Core NHSC1 Communication
• NHS Core NHSC2 Personal & People Development
• NHS Core NHSC5 Quality
• NHS Health & Wellbeing HWB1 Promotion of health & wellbeing
• NHS Health & Wellbeing HWB2 Assessment and care planning
• NHS Information & Knowledge NHS IK1 Information Processing

All new employees are subject to a 6‑month probation period (unless otherwise advised).

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements…