County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Health Care Support Worker

The closing date is 21 July 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. We are unable to sponsor Healthcare Assistants without 2 years band 3 NHS experience.

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.

Are you friendly, keen to learn, and a team player? If so keep reading as this could be your opportunity to join our well established team here on Starling Ward at Richardson Community Hospital. We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic health care assistant to join our team.

As a team we strive towards delivering a high standard of care and this is reflected in the feedback we receive from the patients and relatives who have had experience of being on our ward.

Main duties of the job

As a healthcare assistant on the ward you will be required to assist the qualified staff in providing direct patient care. You must be able to work effectively as part of a team as well as being able to use your initiative when required. This role is shift working, both days and nights including weekends and bank holidays.

The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. You will possess good organisational skills and be able to contribute to the development of flexible working arrangements within the team.

We are an elderly rehabilitation ward, promoting independence is paramount in order to get the optimum outcome for the patient.

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).

Date posted

14 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0435

Job locations

Richardson Community Hospital

Barnard Castle

County Durham

DL12 8HT

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role of the healthcare assistant on the ward includes:

- taking instructions from the qualified nurse.

- delivering personal care to ensure hygiene need are met.

- ensuring nutritional needs are met.

- assisting with toileting.

- carrying out vital observations.

- assisting with mobilising patients.

- ensuring necessary documentation is kept up to date and recorded accurately.

- communicating with patients, relatives and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role of the healthcare assistant on the ward includes:

- taking instructions from the qualified nurse.

- delivering personal care to ensure hygiene need are met.

- ensuring nutritional needs are met.

- assisting with toileting.

- carrying out vital observations.

- assisting with mobilising patients.

- ensuring necessary documentation is kept up to date and recorded accurately.

- communicating with patients, relatives and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

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.

Experience

Essential

Computer skills.
Ability to learn new skills.

Desirable

Previous experience in caring for others.

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.

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.

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.

Experience

Essential

Computer skills.
Ability to learn new skills.

Desirable

Previous experience in caring for others.

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.

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.

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

Richardson Community Hospital

Barnard Castle

County Durham

DL12 8HT

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Richardson Community Hospital

Barnard Castle

County Durham

DL12 8HT

Employer's website

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