Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 12 November 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Healthcare Assistant to join us at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. There are various opportunities available within our Medical and Surgical inpatient wards. This role is suitable for an enthusiastic, caring and compassionate Healthcare Assistant who is keen to be part of a caring and compassionate team.

We are keen to hear from applicants who are motivated, hardworking and have a passion in providing high quality care for our patients.

Our wards provide 24/7 care and it is an expectation that successful candidates will work weekends and nights.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

As a Healthcare Assistant in Gateshead Health NHS FT, you will be working along side Registered Nurses, Physicians and Allied Health Professionals to provide multidisciplinary care.

The role of the Healthcare Assistant is to support the delivery of fundamental nursing care, such as personal care, assisting with meals, mobility and monitoring. The Healthcare Assistant will work under the guidance of the Registered Nurse.

About us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Details

Date posted

29 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum (pro rota)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

297-7549657

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities:

To abide by trust policies and proceduresBuild and maintain safe and effective therapeutic relationshipsSupport individuals to contribute to collaborative care/support/recovery plansSupport the named nurse to develop collaborative individual, patient centredcare plans and implement them creatively using initiative.Communicate effectively with a wide range of people using a range of preferredmethodsContribute to monitoring, observing and engaging with individuals,communicating outcomes and conclusions with the rest of the teamGain an understanding of a persons experiences in relation to their mentalhealth, learning disability and/or dementia.Understand a persons coping strategies and strengths and support people to use these at times of distress or difficultyContribute to reflective practice and encourage compassion and understanding.

Be able to recognise increasing risk and alert significant others and the team torespond as neededUndertake a range of practical tasks and duties in support of the Team andindividual needs.Follow principles of diffusion and de-escalation and where physical interventions or restraint are required, to approach in line with approved techniques considering the safety and dignity of the individual throughout.To feel confident to be able to report untoward incidents and areas of concern as soon as they ariseTo document any relevant information in an electronic record following relevant policy and legislationContribute to individual reviews and team meetings

Duties

Each individual has different needs however the list below outlines just some of the practical duties that the post holder will undertake, support and enable people to/with:Using appropriate assessment tools under supervision to assist the registered practitioner in assessment of the patients health and wellbeing needs.Initiate emergency action when required e.g cardiac arrest, fireIdentify/contribute to their own goals to improve their quality of lifeParticipate in clinical skills as trained in line with role e.g recording ECGsContribute to their own care/support/recovery plansSupport individuals to express their needs and wishesPromote their personal hygiene and physical health.Actively engage in health promotionEngage in meaningful and enjoyable activityTo support individuals with external activities/appointments under indirect supervisionMay have responsibility for patient monies/valuables which need to be handled within GHFT guidelinesAssist individuals with activities of daily living.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities:

To abide by trust policies and proceduresBuild and maintain safe and effective therapeutic relationshipsSupport individuals to contribute to collaborative care/support/recovery plansSupport the named nurse to develop collaborative individual, patient centredcare plans and implement them creatively using initiative.Communicate effectively with a wide range of people using a range of preferredmethodsContribute to monitoring, observing and engaging with individuals,communicating outcomes and conclusions with the rest of the teamGain an understanding of a persons experiences in relation to their mentalhealth, learning disability and/or dementia.Understand a persons coping strategies and strengths and support people to use these at times of distress or difficultyContribute to reflective practice and encourage compassion and understanding.

Be able to recognise increasing risk and alert significant others and the team torespond as neededUndertake a range of practical tasks and duties in support of the Team andindividual needs.Follow principles of diffusion and de-escalation and where physical interventions or restraint are required, to approach in line with approved techniques considering the safety and dignity of the individual throughout.To feel confident to be able to report untoward incidents and areas of concern as soon as they ariseTo document any relevant information in an electronic record following relevant policy and legislationContribute to individual reviews and team meetings

Duties

Each individual has different needs however the list below outlines just some of the practical duties that the post holder will undertake, support and enable people to/with:Using appropriate assessment tools under supervision to assist the registered practitioner in assessment of the patients health and wellbeing needs.Initiate emergency action when required e.g cardiac arrest, fireIdentify/contribute to their own goals to improve their quality of lifeParticipate in clinical skills as trained in line with role e.g recording ECGsContribute to their own care/support/recovery plansSupport individuals to express their needs and wishesPromote their personal hygiene and physical health.Actively engage in health promotionEngage in meaningful and enjoyable activityTo support individuals with external activities/appointments under indirect supervisionMay have responsibility for patient monies/valuables which need to be handled within GHFT guidelinesAssist individuals with activities of daily living.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSEs (English and Maths) or equivalent
  • Willingness to attend training and development opportunities
  • Vocational qualification in health and social care (e.g. care certificate; level 2/3 diploma)

Experience

Essential

  • experience of working within a healthcare setting

Desirable

  • ECG recording skills
  • Venepuncture skills
  • A minimum of 6 months recent NHS experiences

Other

Essential

  • Flexible and adaptable to changing needs and role requirements
  • Genuine passion and interest in working in healthcare

Skills

Essential

  • Working collaboratively and prioritising own work load
  • Team working
  • Effective communication skills

Desirable

  • Understanding and practical knowledge of working in a healthcare setting

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of Mental health problems, LD and /or dementia
  • Have the practical skills to support with activities of daily living
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSEs (English and Maths) or equivalent
  • Willingness to attend training and development opportunities
  • Vocational qualification in health and social care (e.g. care certificate; level 2/3 diploma)

Experience

Essential

  • experience of working within a healthcare setting

Desirable

  • ECG recording skills
  • Venepuncture skills
  • A minimum of 6 months recent NHS experiences

Other

Essential

  • Flexible and adaptable to changing needs and role requirements
  • Genuine passion and interest in working in healthcare

Skills

Essential

  • Working collaboratively and prioritising own work load
  • Team working
  • Effective communication skills

Desirable

  • Understanding and practical knowledge of working in a healthcare setting

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of Mental health problems, LD and /or dementia
  • Have the practical skills to support with activities of daily living

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Employer's website

https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Employer's website

https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Nursing Workforce

Laura Edgar

laura.edgar1@nhs.net

01914820000

Details

Date posted

29 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum (pro rota)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

297-7549657

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Supporting documents

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