County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant H@H

The closing date is 30 December 2025

Job summary

We are looking for enthusiastic and dynamic Health Care Assistants to join a innovative specialist multidisciplinary, Frailty Hospital@Home Team with the local geographical area Frailty H@H plays an integral part of the frailty pathway which involves the identification and management of frailty patients.

The HCA will support the Hospital@Home Team with the co-ordination of patient information gathering, you will support with clinical tasks and assessments, the expediting of clinical investigations and complex discharge planning. Along side providing first class basic patient care.

The post holder will be part of a larger multi-disciplinary team including Consultant Geriatricians, Nurses and Therapists.

This role will be working out in the community.

Main duties of the job

The job involves working as part of our new h@h team providing a high-quality service in the complex frailty unit. The post holder will undertake a wide range of duties to clinically support the multidiciplinary team which include welcoming patients to the unit, recording observations and ECGs, phlebotomy, providing patients with refreshements, assisiting with patients hygiene needs, helping facilitate patient hospital transfers and patient discharge and supporting the unit by helping ensure the unit is clean and well stocked at all times.

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 of 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).

Details

Date posted

16 December 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, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0985

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Job description

Job responsibilities

To contribute to the care planning process involving and informing patients and where appropriate their carers.

Support the Frailty Team in gathering patient information and collateral history on the patient by liaising with next the of kin, carers and external agencies.

Support the Frailty Team with complex discharge planning.

Support the Frailty Team with administrative duties and referrals to support services.

Organise, prioritise and adjust own workload in relation to patient care

Liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of care programs

To recognise and act upon deterioration in a patients condition informing a Registered Nurse of action taken

To assess patients level of dependence in meeting personal care needs and ensure appropriate assistance is given

To discuss with patients strategies to maximize independence and manage chronic illness

To keep accurate and timely written records of care delivered and patient progression

To carry out additional clinical skills relevant to the patient group/speciality

To assist medical staff and registered nurses in carrying out invasive procedures

To act as team representative where appropriate reducing demands on Registered Nurse time

To assist in resolving conflict and diffusing situations where appropriate

To take responsibility for ongoing education and their personal development plan

To welcome patients to the unit, and facilitate patient transport needs to and from hospital

To assist in the admitting of patients to the ward, including recording these on clinical systems, recording base-line observations

To provide care to patients following instructions within the Care Plan or Pathway

To carry out clinical skills relevant to the unit which may include phlebotomy, recording ECGs, recording blood glucose, performing MRSA screening and monitoring/removal of IV cannulas

To assist the clinical team with data entry, filing, documentation of care delivery, including scheduling of planned procedures.

To ensure the unit area and clinical rooms remain tidy and well stocked, including liaison with supplies team to ensure adequate stock provision

To demonstrate competence in accurate recording of clinical observations

To recognise abnormal recordings or changes with the patients condition and report to registered nurse

To act as chaperone when necessary

Serving of patient meals/drinks/snacks

provide and support patients with hygiene needs

To assist in escorting, transferring and discharging patients ensuring return of property and preparation of bed space for next patient

Job description

Job responsibilities

To contribute to the care planning process involving and informing patients and where appropriate their carers.

Support the Frailty Team in gathering patient information and collateral history on the patient by liaising with next the of kin, carers and external agencies.

Support the Frailty Team with complex discharge planning.

Support the Frailty Team with administrative duties and referrals to support services.

Organise, prioritise and adjust own workload in relation to patient care

Liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of care programs

To recognise and act upon deterioration in a patients condition informing a Registered Nurse of action taken

To assess patients level of dependence in meeting personal care needs and ensure appropriate assistance is given

To discuss with patients strategies to maximize independence and manage chronic illness

To keep accurate and timely written records of care delivered and patient progression

To carry out additional clinical skills relevant to the patient group/speciality

To assist medical staff and registered nurses in carrying out invasive procedures

To act as team representative where appropriate reducing demands on Registered Nurse time

To assist in resolving conflict and diffusing situations where appropriate

To take responsibility for ongoing education and their personal development plan

To welcome patients to the unit, and facilitate patient transport needs to and from hospital

To assist in the admitting of patients to the ward, including recording these on clinical systems, recording base-line observations

To provide care to patients following instructions within the Care Plan or Pathway

To carry out clinical skills relevant to the unit which may include phlebotomy, recording ECGs, recording blood glucose, performing MRSA screening and monitoring/removal of IV cannulas

To assist the clinical team with data entry, filing, documentation of care delivery, including scheduling of planned procedures.

To ensure the unit area and clinical rooms remain tidy and well stocked, including liaison with supplies team to ensure adequate stock provision

To demonstrate competence in accurate recording of clinical observations

To recognise abnormal recordings or changes with the patients condition and report to registered nurse

To act as chaperone when necessary

Serving of patient meals/drinks/snacks

provide and support patients with hygiene needs

To assist in escorting, transferring and discharging patients ensuring return of property and preparation of bed space for next patient

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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

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)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Matron

Victoria Pye

v.pye@nhs.net

07901117202

Details

Date posted

16 December 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, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0985

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Supporting documents

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