County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 04 December 2025

Job summary

Would you like to work in an environment where you are highly supported and no 2 days are the same?

Would you like to work in a area where you can utilise your knowledge and skills?

Would you like to work in an area where you can enhance and develop your existing knowledge and skills in order to ensure a gold standard of care is delivered to our patients attending the Emergency Department?

Main duties of the job

You will be expected to work within all clinical areas within the Emergency department and show a commitment to developing yourself and others within the team.

You will be required to attend and complete mandatory training online and face to face .

In addition to this the department offers a comprehensive induction programme and role specific training.

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

27 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-1190

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Healthcare Assistant works predominately in a supporting role to the Registered Nurse. Healthcare assistance will be required to deliver a high standard of patient care at all times. Tasks will include undressing/dressing patients, escorting patients to x-ray and the wards, toileting, recording observations, assisting the trained nurse, and assisting the Consultants in a clinic. Further training will be available for recording ECGs, venepuncture, application of Plaster of Paris, and basic dressings and bandaging.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Healthcare Assistant works predominately in a supporting role to the Registered Nurse. Healthcare assistance will be required to deliver a high standard of patient care at all times. Tasks will include undressing/dressing patients, escorting patients to x-ray and the wards, toileting, recording observations, assisting the trained nurse, and assisting the Consultants in a clinic. Further training will be available for recording ECGs, venepuncture, application of Plaster of Paris, and basic dressings and bandaging.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Ward Manager

Kym Kavanagh

kym.kavanagh@nhs.net

01325543451

Details

Date posted

27 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-1190

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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