County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Health Care Support Worker

The closing date is 20 October 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 on Annex 21 arrangements (£24465) until completion.

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

The overreliance on AI when completing job applications is strongly discouraged.

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated Health Care Support Worker to join our Childrens Outpatient Team. This post will be predominantly based at Bishop Auckland Hospital and Darlington Memorial Hospital. Our team supports around 32,000 appointments per year so this is a busy role where no two days are the same. This role is for 26.25 hours over 3 days.

Main duties of the job

You will be welcoming children and families to the department, supporting Consultant and Nurse led clinics, performing clinical observations and supporting our nursing team with investigations and procedures. You will be expected to take bloods after appropriate training. As well as being a great team player, were looking for someone who is flexible, has initiative and excellent communication skills and will take pride in ensuring the department is maintained to a high standard.

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

13 October 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

C9439-2526-0933

Job locations

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is a Trustwide role so whilst you'll be predominantly working at Bishop Auckland and Darlington, you will be required to travel to university Hospital of North Durham, Chester-le-Street Hospitals and Stanley Primary Care Centre; you must be able to travel independently across sites.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

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.

Desirable

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.

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 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.

Person Specification

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.

Desirable

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.

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 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.

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

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD

Employer's website

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