County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 17 November 2025

Job summary

Ward 10 is a 24 bedded nurse led step downunit which is recruiting staff to be part of their team. This is an exciting opportunity for a Health Care Assistants who is highly motivated and enthusiastic, with a keen interest in caring for patients with nursing needs.

Applicants should display effective communication skills and deliver high quality patient focused care.

The unit is friendly and supportive and has a commitment to providing high quality nursing care.

The post holder will support the Nursing team in providing care to patients acting under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. The post holder should work effectively within a team environment, have good communication skills, initiative, demonstrate enthusiasm about the role and share our passion and vision for providing high quality patient care.

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 reliance upon AI to complete job applications is strongly discouraged.

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, filing and 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 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

03 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

Reference number

C9439-2526-0991

Job locations

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will support the clinical team in providing care to patients acting under the direction of a registered nurse.

See person specification for full details.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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, filing and 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.

To ensure treatment rooms and ward areas are adequately stocked and tidy.

To participate in clinical supervision.

To assist in resolving conflict by responding to concerns and complaints in a positive manner.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

NVQ Level 2 in care

Previous experience in a care setting

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level 2 in care

Desirable

Evidence of recent educational update

Special Requirements

Essential

Ability to carry out tasks in a busy environment

contribute and work as part of the wider team of helath care profesionals.

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Ability to provide fundamental care to patients under the direction of a Registered Nurse

Awareness of infection control procedures.

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will support the clinical team in providing care to patients acting under the direction of a registered nurse.

See person specification for full details.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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, filing and 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.

To ensure treatment rooms and ward areas are adequately stocked and tidy.

To participate in clinical supervision.

To assist in resolving conflict by responding to concerns and complaints in a positive manner.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

NVQ Level 2 in care

Previous experience in a care setting

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level 2 in care

Desirable

Evidence of recent educational update

Special Requirements

Essential

Ability to carry out tasks in a busy environment

contribute and work as part of the wider team of helath care profesionals.

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Ability to provide fundamental care to patients under the direction of a Registered Nurse

Awareness of infection control procedures.

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.

Person Specification

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.

Experience

Essential

  • Computer skills.
  • Ability to learn new skills

Desirable

  • Previous experience in caring for others.

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

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.

Experience

Essential

  • Computer skills.
  • Ability to learn new skills

Desirable

  • Previous experience in caring for others.

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)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Joanne Clark

j.clark22@nhs.net

01388455110

Details

Date posted

03 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

Reference number

C9439-2526-0991

Job locations

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD


Supporting documents

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