Healthcare Assistant

Charity Society; Bishop Auckland; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider seeks a motivated Health Care Assistant to join their Chemotherapy team in Bishop Auckland Hospital. The successful candidate will assist in delivering high standards of care to oncology patients, ensuring patient comfort and safety while supporting the nursing team. Essential qualifications include NVQ Level 3 and strong interpersonal skills. This permanent full-time role offers a salary range of £24,465 to £26,598 per year.

Qualifications

• Experience in caring for others is desirable.
• Reflective practitioner is essential.
• Ability to work under pressure is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chemotherapy Team in providing care for patients.
• Demonstrate competence in recording clinical observations.
• Assist patients with personal care needs.

Skills

Computer skills

Excellent communication

Ability to learn new skills

Self-motivated

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics

Job description

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated 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 recording 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

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 BAME candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents. From April 9th 2025, Healthcare assistants must have a minimum of two years of NHS experience for sponsorship consideration (criteria apply).

Details

Date posted: 25 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £24,465 to £26,598 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: C9439-2526-0700

Job locations: Bishop Auckland General Hospital, Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 6AD

Job Description

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

Essential

• Computer skills.
• Ability to learn new skills

Desirable

• Previous experience in caring for others.

Special 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer: County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Bishop Auckland General Hospital, Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 6AD

Website: https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/

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