Health Care Assistant

NHS; Luton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

A local healthcare provider is seeking a part-time Health Care Assistant for the Rapid Response night nursing team. The role involves providing care for patients in acute health crises, requiring prior NHS experience and a flexible work pattern. Responsibilities include administering personal care, medication, and assisting in overall patient management. The salary ranges from £24,937 to £26,598 pro-rata.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year recent experience in a clinical nursing/care assistant role within the NHS.
• Experience supporting Nurse Care Provision.
• Good standard of spoken & written English.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing support to patients on the Rapid Response caseload.
• Undertake personal care and medication administration.
• Assist in delivering care packages under supervision.

Skills

Clinical procedures understanding

Interpersonal skills

Basic IT skills

Ability to work without supervision

Coping with challenging behavior

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health or Adult Care Diploma Level 3 RQF

Care Certificate

Job description

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Health Care Assistant

The closing date is 14 October 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and skilled Health Care Assistant to join the Rapid Response night nursing team.

The Rapid Response team take referrals from GPs, Paramedics, local Hospitals and Specialist Community Teams for patients experiencing an acute health crisis. We aim to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions by assessing patients, developing care plans and liaising with other services as needed.

Working overnight you will be providing nursing support and care to patients on the Rapid Response caseloads including Virtual wards and supporting patients on the District Nursing caseload who may require unplanned / urgent visits.

Must have previous NHS experience in a health care associated role.

This is a part time role and requires the ability to work a flexible working pattern and the ability to travel across the county.

Before applying for this vacancy please be aware of the salary threshold required for a certificate of sponsorship to be granted, and that unfortunately, overseas applicants who are new to care may not reach the minimum salary threshold, to obtain a certificate of sponsorship.

Main duties of the job

To work as a Multi-Skilled Assistant supporting qualified members of the Community Nursing team to deliver appropriate nursing care to enable each patient to achieve their maximum potential and remain within their home environment.

To be able to respond under supervision to unexpected health care needs of patients.

As our Health Care Assistant (HCA) you will be involved in supporting patients which may involve short episodes of intensive input to prevent hospital admission. This will also involve undertaking personal care of patients, medication administration, wound care and completing patient assessments.

Note: the original contained a note about potential advert closure; this has been preserved in plain text if still relevant.

About us

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.

Job responsibilities

Provide advice and instruction to patients to explain any procedures being undertaken.

Understand the principles of data protection and patient confidentiality and the policies and procedures surrounding them.

Attend and participate in staff meetings.

Basic understanding of IT and ability to use e-mail and willingness to undertake training for any systems used to collect and manage patient data.

Communicate with practice staff and GPs regarding results and collection of specimens.

Refer patient queries to the nursing staff in a timely fashion.

Provide understanding and support to patients having difficulty coping with their condition.

To be supportive and communicative with patients & colleagues.

To ensure at all times patients are treated with care and compassion.

Report any change or deviation from planned care package to nursing staff.

Recognise change in patients need and with instruction adapt care package accordingly.

Recognise abnormal results following monitoring and inform nursing staff.

Undertake the delivery of patient care packages under the supervision of nursing staff.

Manage and prioritise workload.

To liaise with other health professionals, social services, GPs, hospital staff and other agencies involved in the care of each patient as required.

To accurately take and record telephone messages as required, including supporting the screening and prioritisation of referrals according to local guidelines.

Undertake set nursing procedures following training and assessment e.g. phlebotomy, blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose monitoring, preparing patients as necessary prior to procedure, using aseptic technique.

Driving skills, including in icy and snowy conditions.

To acquire core skills in nursing care and nursing techniques.

To provide general office duties i.e.: filing, photocopying as required.

Be able to implement packages of care, therapy or treatment prescribed by qualified members of the team. This will initially be done with supervision from a qualified member of the team.

Support patients in achieving goals set in care packages.

Undertake personal and social care as required to support people to remain at home.

Deliver prescribed medication to patients, operating within set protocols.

To provide reassurance & psychological support to patients in an acute phase of illness which may involve short episodes of intensive input to prevent hospital admission.

To maintain a neat and tidy appearance and professional approach to work, patients, their families & other colleagues.

To act in a manner that is in line with Trust Values at all times.

Ensure all electronic and paper based records are kept up to date and filed appropriately.

To maintain accurate and comprehensive records, recording and providing statistical information by means of computer and other methods.

To supply information to the client where appropriate using computer database and written materials.

To monitor stock in partnership with the nursing team.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

• NVQ Level 3 in Health or Adult Care Diploma Level 3 RQF
• Care Certificate
• Admin/clerical training

Experience

• Minimum 1 year recent experience in a clinical nursing/care assistant role within the NHS
• Experience of supporting Nurse Care Provision
• Experience of working with the public
• Previous experience of working in a team
• Insulin administration
• Experience of using S1
• Previous experience of providing personal care

Knowledge and Skills

• Previous experience or understanding / can demonstrate clinical procedures
• Update to date clinical skills in wound care, catheter care including changing catheter bags and can monitor and understand vital signs recognising when to escalate
• Good standard of spoken & written English
• Basic IT skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Accurate and methodical approach to work
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Ability to cope with challenging behaviour
• Willingness to learn new skills

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.

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 a year, pro-rata