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County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 03 February 2026

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Job summary

We are looking for a passionate healthcare assistant who can provide excellent patient care. Must be

able to work as part of an effective team. Role involves working within a specialist area to deliver high

standards of care, working closely with other teams and liaising with other members of the multi-

disciplinary team. The ward is a 28 bedded medical ward specialising in Endocrinology and we care for

patients with a range of medical aliments. Health care assistants will be able to increase their

knowledge and skills in relating to different chronic and acute conditions. We are a great team and we look forward to your application.

Main duties of the job

To assist in welcoming patients to the ward and recording base-line observations.

To provide care to patients following instructions in the care plan, 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.

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

20 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year PRO RATA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-1396

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Job description

Job responsibilities

This job entails caring for patients with a variety of medical conditions. You will be caring for patients

who are acutely unwell and will undertake training to be able to identify a deteriorating patient. It will

be part of your job role to provide palliative care to patients who are approaching the end of their life.

You will be responsible for providing excellent patient care.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This job entails caring for patients with a variety of medical conditions. You will be caring for patients

who are acutely unwell and will undertake training to be able to identify a deteriorating patient. It will

be part of your job role to provide palliative care to patients who are approaching the end of their life.

You will be responsible for providing excellent patient care.

Person Specification

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.

Specia 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
Person Specification

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.

Specia 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

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:

Karen Lister

klister1@nhs.net

01325743429

Details

Date posted

20 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year PRO RATA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-1396

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Supporting documents

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