County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 17 June 2025

Job summary

If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.

If you are new to care you must complete a care certificate when you commence employment with CDDFT and be paid band 2 until completion.

Please note this advert will close when sufficient applications have been received.

Thankyou for considering this exciting opportunity.

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic Healthcare assistant to join our team on a 24 bedded General medicine ward at UHND.

Do you have a passion for helping people and enjoy fast pace environments? Are you compassionate and keen to learn? Do you enjoy being part of a strong, positive team? If so, this could be your opportunity to join our friendly, supportive team here within Intergrated Medical Specialities (IMS) at UHND.

Within IMS we strive towards delivering a high standard of care to each and every patient we have the privilege to care for. our nurses and healthcare assistants make this happen and we would love to hear from you if you belive that you have your own individual strenghs and qualities to add to our team.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for highly motivated, hardworking healthcare assistant to to join our general medical ward with a team that strives to deliver excellent care.

As a healthcare assistant you will assist individual patients with elements of basic nursing care and the implementation of programs of care under the direction of a registered nurse and contribute to the on-going support of patients and their relatives.

You should be able to demonstrate excellent caring and people skills.

You must also demonstrate a good verbal and written command of English, along with excellent communication/interpersonal skills and a reasonable level of numeracy.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Details

Date posted

10 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,169 to £25,674 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0293

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Job description

Job responsibilities

To assist in admitting patients to the ward, completing demographic details and recording base-line observations.

To provide care to patients following instructions in the care plan, programme or pathway.

To demonstrate competence in the accurate recording of routine clinical observations.

To recognise abnormal recordings or signs of change in a patients condition and report changes to a registered nurse.

To assist patients meet their personal care needs (includes hygiene, mobility, nutrition, elimination and comfort).

To assist patients to eat and drink in a sensitive and supportive manner.

To accurately record information on patient food charts and fluid balance charts, reporting concerns to a registered nurse.

To assist clinical team with data entry, filing and maintaining accurate documentation of care.

To assist in escorting, transferring and discharging patients, ensuring all property is packed and the bed area is prepared for the next patient.

To ensure treatment rooms and ward areas are adequately stocked and tidy.

To assist in resolving conflict by responding to concerns and complaints in a positive manner.The main duties for this role are described in detail in the person specification. Please ensure to read through to further your underrstanding of the role.

All employees are required to promote high quality care and good health and wellbeing through the enduring values described by the Department of Health: The 6Cs care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment..

Job description

Job responsibilities

To assist in admitting patients to the ward, completing demographic details and recording base-line observations.

To provide care to patients following instructions in the care plan, programme or pathway.

To demonstrate competence in the accurate recording of routine clinical observations.

To recognise abnormal recordings or signs of change in a patients condition and report changes to a registered nurse.

To assist patients meet their personal care needs (includes hygiene, mobility, nutrition, elimination and comfort).

To assist patients to eat and drink in a sensitive and supportive manner.

To accurately record information on patient food charts and fluid balance charts, reporting concerns to a registered nurse.

To assist clinical team with data entry, filing and maintaining accurate documentation of care.

To assist in escorting, transferring and discharging patients, ensuring all property is packed and the bed area is prepared for the next patient.

To ensure treatment rooms and ward areas are adequately stocked and tidy.

To assist in resolving conflict by responding to concerns and complaints in a positive manner.The main duties for this role are described in detail in the person specification. Please ensure to read through to further your underrstanding of the role.

All employees are required to promote high quality care and good health and wellbeing through the enduring values described by the Department of Health: The 6Cs care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment..

Person Specification

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
  • Excellent communication & interpersonal skills.
  • Reflective practitioner.
  • Ability to work in a busy and varied work environment and respond to change.

Desirable

  • Be able to offer pastoral care to mentors and students when providing feedback on performance.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
  • GCSE or equivalent in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

  • Short courses relevant to undertake patient and clinical care duties.

Experience

Essential

  • Computer skills.
  • Ability to learn new skills.

Desirable

  • Previous experience in caring for others.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills.
  • Able to engage and build effective relationships at all levels.
  • Understanding of the role of HCSW.
  • Able to work as part of a team.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the need for confidentiality.

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Good verbal and written command of English.
  • Ability to act upon own initiative.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Able to work under some pressure.
  • Ability to show leadership.
  • Ability to plan own work.
  • Ability to work calmly under pressure.
  • Willing to take and record patient observations.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation.
Person Specification

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
  • Excellent communication & interpersonal skills.
  • Reflective practitioner.
  • Ability to work in a busy and varied work environment and respond to change.

Desirable

  • Be able to offer pastoral care to mentors and students when providing feedback on performance.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
  • GCSE or equivalent in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

  • Short courses relevant to undertake patient and clinical care duties.

Experience

Essential

  • Computer skills.
  • Ability to learn new skills.

Desirable

  • Previous experience in caring for others.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills.
  • Able to engage and build effective relationships at all levels.
  • Understanding of the role of HCSW.
  • Able to work as part of a team.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the need for confidentiality.

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Good verbal and written command of English.
  • Ability to act upon own initiative.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Able to work under some pressure.
  • Ability to show leadership.
  • Ability to plan own work.
  • Ability to work calmly under pressure.
  • Willing to take and record patient observations.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Sarah Peel

s.peel1@nhs.net

01913332903

Details

Date posted

10 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,169 to £25,674 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0293

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Supporting documents

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