Health Care Assistant - Orthopaedics

NHS; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a Health Care Assistant in Orthopaedics to deliver nursing care for elective surgeries. Candidates should have NVQ Level 3 in Healthcare or equivalent and experience in a health or social care setting. The role includes supporting patients and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. Benefits include competitive annual leave and flexible working opportunities for a better work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package

Flexible working opportunities

Protected hours for health and wellbeing activities

Qualifications

• Experience of working as a Care Support Worker or equivalent in a Health or Social care setting.
• Experience of working within a team.
• Demonstrates an interest or previous experience in supporting other health care staff and learners.
• Commitment to undertaking continuous professional development (CPD).

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to patients admitted for elective orthopaedic surgery.
• Deliver harm-free care and ensure accurate pre- and post-operative care.
• Signpost patients to relevant services after surgery.
• Support the senior nursing team with training, information governance, and attendance.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to maintain patient safety.

Skills

Good communication (written and verbal skills)

Basic IT skills

Good organisational skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Healthcare or equivalent

Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy (GCSE English and Maths Grade D-G)

Care Certificate

Job description

Go back Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Health Care Assistant - Orthopaedics

The closing date is 18 January 2026

Unfortunately, this role does not meet the criteria required to qualify for sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to patients admitted for elective orthopaedic surgery.
• Deliver harm‑free care and ensure accurate pre‑ and post‑operative care.
• Signpost patients to relevant services after surgery.
• Support the senior nursing team with training, information governance, and attendance.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to maintain patient safety at all times.

Main duties of the job

• Work alongside staff nurse and other members of the MDT.
• Assist with clinical skills required within the orthopaedic unit.
• Participate in admissions on the unit.
• Care and support patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery.

About us

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work‑life balance.

Learn more about us in our Candidate Information Pack (opens in existing window).

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Healthcare or a Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship – or equivalent experience.
• Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy (GCSE English and Maths Grade D‑G).
• Care Certificate.

Knowledge, Training & Experience

• Experience of working as a Care Support Worker or equivalent in a Health or Social care setting.
• Experience of working within a team.
• Demonstrates an interest or previous experience in supporting other health care staff and learners.
• Commitment to undertaking continuous professional development (CPD).

Skills & Abilities

• Good communication (written and verbal skills).
• Basic IT skills.
• Good organisational 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.

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust