Oxford Health NHS Trust

Healthcare Assistant - Opal Ward

The closing date is 29 October 2025

Job summary

Ready for a truly rewarding career? We are hosting a Recruitment Day on Friday 21st Novemberin Oxford for Healthcare Assistants. Please read on for further information about the job, format of the day and how to apply.

Whether you're new to the field or have years of experience, we have a range of permanent, full-time, and part-time positions open across various wards and locations. We're committed to helping you grow and will work with you to find a role that fits your unique skills and career goals.

We have established very effective ways of working with the patients to help them identify and reach their goals, whilst keeping them safe and supporting them onwards to a new life in the community.

We'll need you to have excellent communication skills with positive attitude. We share a caring, non-judgmental and inclusive attitude, committed to the delivery of safe, high-quality care.

Please note that this recruitment day is by invitation only and is open exclusively to applicants who have successfully passed the screening stage.

If you have recently attended or applied to one of our recent recruitment / assessment days please do not reapply.

Main duties of the job

All our services are staffed by full multi-disciplinary teams including nurses, doctors, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists, and supported by a variety of other professional colleagues.

As a Healthcare Assistant you'll contribute and participate in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of care and treatment for people within a healthcare or community setting. You'll play a vital role in improving patients' wellbeing.

Your responsibilities will include:

Personal Care: Assisting patients with daily activities like washing, dressing, and eating.
Patient Monitoring: Keeping an eye on patient conditions to ensure their comfort and safety.
Ward Environment: Helping to maintain a clean, welcoming, and safe environment on the ward.
Communication: Interacting with patients and their families to provide reassurance and support.

About us

We are recruiting for a number of HCA roles across the following services:

Opal Ward (mixed Rehabilitation Ward) - Buckinghamshire In-Patients

Oxford Health provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

Excellent opportunities for career progression
Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
Competitive pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Mental Health First Aiders
Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Date posted

27 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum | pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-BM7575462

Job locations

Whiteleaf Centre

The Whiteleaf Centre

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Recruitment Day: what to expect on the day

If you are successfully shortlisted, our Recruitment Day onFriday 21st Novemberat Unipart House in Oxfordis designed to give you a real feel for life at Oxford Health. You'll have an extended period to meet our teams, learn about our services, and show us what you can do.

The day will include:

Numeracy/Literacy Test:A short assessment to evaluate your foundational skills.
Group Activity:An exercise that allows you to demonstrate your collaboration and problem-solving abilities.
Interview:A chance for us to get to know you better and understand your skills and for you to ask us any questions you have.
Networking:An opportunity to meet our staff and learn more about the roles, our wards, and our commitment to your professional development.

This is your opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and values we're looking for in our next Healthcare Assistants.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Recruitment Day: what to expect on the day

The day will include:

Numeracy/Literacy Test:A short assessment to evaluate your foundational skills.
Group Activity:An exercise that allows you to demonstrate your collaboration and problem-solving abilities.
Interview:A chance for us to get to know you better and understand your skills and for you to ask us any questions you have.
Networking:An opportunity to meet our staff and learn more about the roles, our wards, and our commitment to your professional development.

This is your opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and values we're looking for in our next Healthcare Assistants.

Person Specification

Question 1

Essential

Please outline which patient groups you have worked with, in a healthcare capacity for example - Older Adults, Adults, Children and Forensic

Question 2

Essential

Have you worked in a mental health inpatient ward, if so please provide full details below

Question 3

Essential

Can you describe a situation from your previous role as a healthcare assistant where you had to provide care under pressure or in a challenging environment? What was the situation, how did you handle it, and what was the outcome?

Question 4

Essential

Can you describe a time when you had to explain something important to a patient who was confused, anxious, or had difficulty understanding? How did you ensure they felt heard and understood, and how did you adapt your approach to meet their needs?

Person Specification

Question 1

Essential

Please outline which patient groups you have worked with, in a healthcare capacity for example - Older Adults, Adults, Children and Forensic

Question 2

Essential

Have you worked in a mental health inpatient ward, if so please provide full details below

Question 3

Essential

Can you describe a situation from your previous role as a healthcare assistant where you had to provide care under pressure or in a challenging environment? What was the situation, how did you handle it, and what was the outcome?

Question 4

Essential

Can you describe a time when you had to explain something important to a patient who was confused, anxious, or had difficulty understanding? How did you ensure they felt heard and understood, and how did you adapt your approach to meet their needs?

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

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Whiteleaf Centre

The Whiteleaf Centre

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Whiteleaf Centre

The Whiteleaf Centre

Aylesbury

HP20 1EG

Employer's website

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