Healthcare Assistant

NHS; Bishop Auckland; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a Health Care Assistant to join their Chemotherapy team in Bishop Auckland. The role involves delivering high standards of care, assisting with clinical duties, and effectively communicating with patients and team members. Ideal candidates should have caring experience and relevant qualifications. This position offers opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive training

Supportive work environment

Opportunity to assist in patient care

Qualifications

• Experience in caring for others is essential.
• Good verbal and written command of English is required.
• Willingness to take and record patient observations.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality care to patients and their families.
• Assist in admitting patients and recording baseline observations.
• Work under supervision of a registered nurse to deliver care.

Skills

Communication skills

Ability to learn new skills

Teamwork

Education

Care Certificate or willingness to complete

GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics

Job description

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 02 October 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join a well established team working within the Chemotherapy team at Bishop Auckland Hospital and Ward 42 as a Health Care Assistant.

The 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. One of our new developments is supporting the delivery of blood transfusions across the trust.

The successful applicant will work with and communicate effectively with all members of the Chemotherapy Team.

It is essential that they provide clinical and non-clinical support to the nursing team under the direction of an appropriate registered nurse within a sphere of responsibility and after completing appropriate competency-based training agreed by the trust.

To follow all procedures and guidelines in accordance with the working practices of the Chemotherapy department.

Main duties of the job

• To welcome patients onto the unit
• Demonstrate competence in the accurate recording of routine clinical observations
• To recognise abnormal recordings or signs of change in a patient\'s condition and report changes to a registered nurse
• To assess patient\'s 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 the registered nurse
• Communication with patients, relatives, carers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team assisting with clinical duties
• Promote positive mental/physical/nutritional health and wellbeing of patients

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

From 9 April 2025 onward, Healthcare assistants must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA 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).

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work under the supervision of a registered nurse to assist the Chemotherapy Team in providing the highest possible standard of care for patients and their families.

The post holder will provide high quality, evidence-based care to patients and carers. This will include Oncology and Haematology patients attending for chemotherapy, medical investigations and patients who self-refer for advice and care.

To provide support to new and junior members of staff within the team.

To assist in admitting patients to the unit, completing demographic details and recording baseline observations.

*To provide care to patients following instructions in the care plan, programme or pathway.

* To demonstrate competence in the accurate recording of routine clinical observations.

*To recognise abnormal recordings or signs of change in a patient\'s condition and report changes to a registered nurse.

* To assess patient\'s 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 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.

*To participate in clinical supervision.

*To assist in resolving conflict by responding to concerns and complaints in a positive manner.

Person Specification

Experience

• Ability to learn new skills
• Previous experience in caring for others

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 upon own initiative
• 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
• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation

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

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

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 name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust