County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 25 November 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 having been employed for 2 years within the NHS as aband 3HCA.

If you are new to care you must complete a care certificate when you commence employment with CDDFT and be paid on Annex 21 arrangements (£24465) until completion.

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

A number of vacancies and new postings have become available within the surgical care group. The positions available are for the Trauma/Ortho ward as well as the Surgical Elective/Emergency Unit. The postings are full time and part time permanent as well as a number of fixed term contracts within the Surgical Ward. These are likely to be extended if the footprint of ward 11 continues to operate with more than its usual budgeted number of beds. These beds have been open for a number of years so it is highly likely that the fixed term contracts will be extended. Experiencewithin a care settingwould be beneficial, as well as experiencein Surgery or Ortho.

Main duties of the job

- 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 assess patients level of dependence in meeting personal care needs and give appropriate assistance (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 carry out clinical skills relevant to the ward/department and patient group (eg phlebotomy, ECG recording, simple dressings).

- To assist clinical team with data entry, 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.

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 been employed for a minimum of two years as a HCA within the NHS 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

18 November 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

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0753

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Job description

Job responsibilities

Contribute to the ward / department by working under the supervision of the qualified nursing team in activities and tasks in providing high quality, compassionate care.

To undertake delegated, repetitive, routine and familiar tasks.

Plan and prioritise own delegated work tasks and activities.

Have an awareness of normal parameters concerning patient wellbeing and report that which is out of normal parameters to the registered professional.

To assist in the delivery of core programs of clinical care and participate in service improvement and development initiatives.

To participate in service improvement and development initiatives.

To work within a multi- disciplinary framework of nursing, which may include multi-agency, social work, therapy, residential, administrative and support staff.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Contribute to the ward / department by working under the supervision of the qualified nursing team in activities and tasks in providing high quality, compassionate care.

To undertake delegated, repetitive, routine and familiar tasks.

Plan and prioritise own delegated work tasks and activities.

Have an awareness of normal parameters concerning patient wellbeing and report that which is out of normal parameters to the registered professional.

To assist in the delivery of core programs of clinical care and participate in service improvement and development initiatives.

To participate in service improvement and development initiatives.

To work within a multi- disciplinary framework of nursing, which may include multi-agency, social work, therapy, residential, administrative and support staff.

Person Specification

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 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 equivalent in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

Short courses relevant to undertake patient and clinical care duties.

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.

Experience

Essential

Computer skills.
Ability to learn new skills.

Desirable

Previous experience in caring for others.

Person Specification

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 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 equivalent in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

Short courses relevant to undertake patient and clinical care duties.

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.

Experience

Essential

Computer skills.
Ability to learn new skills.

Desirable

Previous experience in caring for others.

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

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Employer's website

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