Health Care Support Worker

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; North East; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a motivated Health Care Support Worker to join the Children’s Outpatient Team at University Hospital of North Durham. The role encompasses welcoming children and families, supporting clinics, and performing clinical observations. Candidates should have good English skills, a care certificate or the willingness to complete one, and experience in caring. The position requires flexibility and the ability to travel across various sites to ensure the delivery of high-quality care. Salary ranges from £24,937 to £26,598 pro rata.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in caring for others.
• Willingness to take and record patient observations.
• Ability to work in a busy and varied work environment.

Responsibilities

• Welcoming children and families to the department.
• Supporting consultant and nurse-led clinics.
• Performing clinical observations and supporting nursing investigations.

Skills

Good verbal and written command of English

Ability to act on own initiative

Good interpersonal skills

Education

GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics

Care Certificate or willingness to complete

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Health Care Support Worker

The closing date is 22 December 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated Health Care Support Worker to join our Children’s Outpatient Team. This post will be predominantly based at University Hospital of North Durham but travel to other sites is required. Our team supports around 32,000 appointments per year, making this a busy role where no two days are the same. This role is for 26.25 hours; 8.15am‑5.30pm shifts to meet the needs of the service.

Main duties of the job

You will be welcoming children and families to the department, supporting consultant and nurse‑led clinics, performing clinical observations and supporting our nursing team with investigations and procedures. You will be expected to take bloods after appropriate training. As well as being a great team player, we are looking for someone who is flexible, has initiative and excellent communication skills and will take pride in ensuring the department is maintained to a high standard.

Job responsibilities

This is a Trust‑wide role so while you will be predominantly based at UHND, you will be required to travel to Darlington Memorial, Bishop Auckland, Chester‑Le‑Street hospitals and Stanley Primary Care centre; you must be able to travel independently across sites.

Special Requirements

• Self‑motivated and able to motivate others.
• Ability to work in a busy and varied work environment and respond to change.
• Be able to offer pastoral care to mentors and students when providing feedback on performance.

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Good verbal and written command of English.
• Ability to act on own initiative.
• Able to work under some pressure.
• Ability to show leadership.
• Ability to plan own work.
• Willing to take and record patient observations.
• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation.

Personal Attributes

• 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.

Qualifications

• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.
• Short courses relevant to undertake patient and clinical care duties.

Experience

• Computer skills; ability to learn new skills.
• Previous experience in caring for others.

Employment eligibility (visa and sponsorship)

From 9 April 2025, Healthcare Assistants must have been employed for a minimum of two years as an HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship. Sponsorship will only be considered if the applicant meets this criterion and has a current visa expiring within 3 months.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 a year, pro rata

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.