Welcome to Hunter Gatherer Primary Care – HCA recruitment specialists across the UK.
We place Healthcare Assistants into GP surgeries and Primary Care Networks on both a locum and permanent basis. Whether you’re a practice that needs reliable clinical support cover or an HCA ready for your next role, we make the process straightforward, fast and properly matched.
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What is a Healthcare Assistant in Primary Care?
Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) are a vital part of the primary care clinical team. Working under the supervision of GPs and practice nurses, they carry out a wide range of patient-facing tasks that keep practices running efficiently – from taking observations and performing ECGs to supporting health checks and running phlebotomy clinics.
In GP surgeries and PCNs, a well-trained HCA frees up clinical time for GPs and nurses, improves patient flow and ensures patients receive timely, high-quality frontline care. With primary care under sustained workforce pressure, experienced and reliable HCAs have never been more in demand.
Why Practices Choose Hunter Gatherer for HCA Staffing:
Matched to your clinical needs Not all HCAs have the same skillset. We take the time to understand what your practice needs – whether that’s a phlebotomist to run morning blood clinics, an HCA experienced in chronic disease monitoring, or general clinical support across the day. We match on skills, not just availability.
Compliance-checked before they arrive Every HCA we place is DBS-checked, reference-verified and confirmed to hold the relevant training and competencies for the role. You won’t be managing compliance on our behalf.
Locum and permanent placements Need cover from Monday? Looking to grow your permanent team? We support both, from short-notice locum cover through to permanent HCA hires.
Primary care is what we do Our consultants understand GP surgery workflows, PCN structures and what practices actually need from their support staff. That makes a real difference to the quality of our matches.
What HCAs Do in Primary Care:
HCAs in GP surgeries and PCNs are typically responsible for:
- Taking and recording patient observations – blood pressure, temperature, height, weight, BMI, oxygen saturation
- Performing ECGs and spirometry (where trained)
- Phlebotomy – blood taking for routine and urgent investigations
- Supporting GP-led health check programmes (NHS Health Checks, diabetes reviews, hypertension monitoring)
- Preparing and chaperoning patients during clinical examinations
- Wound care and dressing changes (where competency-verified)
- Supporting vaccination and immunisation clinics
- Maintaining consulting room equipment and clinical supplies
- Administrative support – scanning, summarising and managing clinical correspondence
- Contributing to QOF and enhanced service data collection
HCA Skills and Specialisations We Cover:
Our HCA network covers a range of skills and experience levels, including:
- Phlebotomy – one of the most in-demand HCA skills in primary care; we have phlebotomy-trained HCAs available nationwide
- ECG and Spirometry – HCAs trained in performing and recording cardiac and respiratory investigations
- Chronic Disease Monitoring – supporting diabetes, asthma, COPD and cardiovascular disease reviews
- NHS Health Checks – trained to run the full NHS Health Check programme independently
- Immunisations and Vaccinations – HCAs trained to assist or administer under patient group directions (PGDs)
- Wound Care – dressing changes and basic wound management (competency-verified)
- Health Promotion – supporting patients with lifestyle advice, weight management and smoking cessation
Qualifications We Look For:
HCAs working in primary care typically hold:
- NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent)
- Care Certificate (or equivalent induction training)
- Relevant clinical competencies verified by previous employer or training provider – particularly phlebotomy, ECG and spirometry where required
- Valid DBS (enhanced, on the update service preferred)
- Up-to-date mandatory training including basic life support, infection control and safeguarding
We also place HCAs who are working towards formal qualifications or looking to develop new competencies – if you’re a practice that can support development alongside service delivery, we can find candidates who will grow with your team.
Locum HCA Opportunities in Primary Care:
Locum HCA work in GP surgeries and PCNs offers flexible hours, competitive rates and the chance to build experience across a range of different practice environments. Whether you want to work regular sessions around other commitments or take on longer-term block bookings, we’ll match you to opportunities that suit your skills and availability.
We have active HCA requirements across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow and beyond.
HCA Pay Rates (2025/26):
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Locum HCAs£13 – £23 per hour
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Salaried HCAs£24,500 – £30,200 annually
Career Progression for HCAs:
General practice offers a genuine career pathway for ambitious HCAs:
- HCA (Band 2) – entry-level clinical support, observations, basic patient care
- Senior HCA / Clinical Support Worker (Band 3) – specialist skills such as phlebotomy, ECGs, health checks, chronic disease clinics
- Assistant Practitioner / Nursing Associate (Band 4–5) – higher-level clinical responsibility, often via apprenticeship or formal training route
- Registered Nurse / Practice Nurse – for those who go on to complete nurse training
Many HCAs working in general practice develop their skills progressively, taking on phlebotomy, spirometry and health check clinics over time. We actively support candidates who want to develop their career, not just fill a shift.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Do HCAs need formal qualifications to work in primary care? A minimum NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent is typically expected, along with the Care Certificate and relevant clinical competency sign-offs. For roles involving phlebotomy, ECGs or health checks, specific training records will be required. We’ll advise on exactly what’s needed for each role.
- Can you provide short-notice HCA cover? Yes. Once an HCA is registered and compliant with us, we can fill short-notice shifts quickly. Contact us directly for urgent cover requirements and we’ll respond the same day where possible.
- Do you place HCAs with phlebotomy experience specifically? Yes – phlebotomy is one of the most requested skills in primary care and we hold a strong pool of phlebotomy-trained HCAs. If this is a priority for your practice, let us know upfront and we’ll prioritise matching accordingly.
- Do you place HCAs in community and PCN settings as well as GP surgeries? Yes. We work with GP surgeries, PCNs, extended access hubs, urgent treatment centres and community health services. Wherever you need HCA support in primary care, we can help.
- What areas do you cover? We place HCAs across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and beyond.
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