County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 27 June 2025

Job summary

At UHND, we pride ourselves on delivering excellent care and support to our patients. We are currently seeking a dedicated and compassionate Healthcare Assistant (HCA) to join our team on the Respiratory Ward. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a keen interest in respiratory care and a passion for making a difference in the lives of patients.

Role Overview:

As a Band 3 Healthcare Assistant on the Respiratory Ward, you will play a vital role in providing high-quality care to patients with respiratory conditions, ensuring their comfort and well-being during their hospital stay. You will work alongside a supportive multidisciplinary team, including nurses, doctors, and respiratory specialists, to deliver excellent patient care. Ward 12 is a 41 bedded respiratory medical ward. We care for a variety of patients with many different respiratory illnesses. Our aim is to deliver the highest standard of care that we can and to make a difference to our patients and their families.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities:

Assist with the personal care and mobility of patients, ensuring their dignity and comfort at all times.

Support with routine observations, including monitoring vital signs (e.g., temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure).

Provide assistance with respiratory therapies, including oxygen administration and nebuliser treatments, under the supervision of nursing staff.

Assist in the preparation and maintenance of medical equipment, ensuring it is clean and in good working order.

Monitor patients condition and report any changes or concerns to the nursing team promptly.

Maintain accurate patient records and documentation in line with hospital policies.

Provide emotional support to patients and their families, ensuring clear communication and empathy.

Main duties of the job

Report any concerns regarding the patient's condition to the qualified nurse.

Maintain patient's privacy and dignity at all times.

Report to the Nurse in Charge any issues that may prevent cleaning or compromise the safety of the environment.

Actively contribute to the provision of nutrition of the patients on the Department.

To abide by Trust policies and procedures.

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

20 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,169 to £25,674 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0080

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Job description

Job responsibilities

This role involves working alongside other members of the team in providing care to patients.

The main reposnsibilites include:-

* Personal care including promoting independence, ensuring privacy and dignity are maintained at all times

* pressure area care and observations

*Continence care, including escalation of any altered motions

* Assisting to mobilise patients using moving and handling techniques as per policy

* Escalating any concerns to senior staff in regards to observations

*Assisting patients with nutritional intake and keeping accurate records of the same

*Ensuring saefty of patients including those who lack capacity and need enhanced suprervision

*Stocking up of supplies

*cleaning of equipment after use and adhering to infection control guidelines

*Keeping up to date with learning

* Assisting the RGN in the smooth delivery of care

Why Join Us?

Comprehensive training and development opportunities to enhance your career.

Supportive team environment with excellent clinical supervision.

Access to a wide range of staff benefits, including NHS discounts, health and wellbeing programs].

Competitive salary and pension scheme.

If you are passionate about delivering outstanding care and would like to make a real difference in a dynamic, supportive team, we would love to hear from you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role involves working alongside other members of the team in providing care to patients.

The main reposnsibilites include:-

* Personal care including promoting independence, ensuring privacy and dignity are maintained at all times

* pressure area care and observations

*Continence care, including escalation of any altered motions

* Assisting to mobilise patients using moving and handling techniques as per policy

* Escalating any concerns to senior staff in regards to observations

*Assisting patients with nutritional intake and keeping accurate records of the same

*Ensuring saefty of patients including those who lack capacity and need enhanced suprervision

*Stocking up of supplies

*cleaning of equipment after use and adhering to infection control guidelines

*Keeping up to date with learning

* Assisting the RGN in the smooth delivery of care

Why Join Us?

Comprehensive training and development opportunities to enhance your career.

Supportive team environment with excellent clinical supervision.

Access to a wide range of staff benefits, including NHS discounts, health and wellbeing programs].

Competitive salary and pension scheme.

If you are passionate about delivering outstanding care and would like to make a real difference in a dynamic, supportive team, we would love to hear from you.

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.

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.

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 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

Special Skills and 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.

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.

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 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

Special Skills and 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:

Kelly Turner

Kelly.turner16@nhs.net

01913332912

Details

Date posted

20 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,169 to £25,674 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0080

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Supporting documents

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