Healthcare Assistant

Waythrough; Carlisle, Penrith; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Life assurance

Birthday leave

Professional fee reimbursement

24/7 online GP access

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounts and wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Waythrough is seeking a Healthcare Assistant to support vulnerable individuals in Cumbria. You will participate in care planning, health observations, and clinical procedures within your competency, contributing to detox and harm reduction initiatives.

The role requires Maths/English qualifications and NVQ2 in Health & Social Care, with good IT skills and a strong commitment to confidentiality and infection control. A comprehensive benefits package accompanies the position.

Qualifications

• Maths and English qualifications required.
• NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control principles.
• Ability to carry out delegated clinical procedures after training and competency.
• Awareness of drug and alcohol misuse impacts.

Responsibilities

• Support service user care plans and clinical reviews.
• Undertake clinical procedures within training, including health observations and venepuncture.
• Monitor and support detoxification programmes.
• Deliver harm reduction advice and naloxone education.
• Support testing and referrals for treatment.
• Record service user information accurately and confidentially.
• Assist with clinical audits and service improvement.

Skills

Maths & English

IT skills

Confidentiality

Infection prevention

Clinical tasks training

Education

NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care

Job description

Healthcare Assistant Location: Recovery Steps Cumbria - Carlise & Penrith Working Hours: 37 Hours Contract Type: Permanent Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

Key Duties

• Support service user care plans, assessments, and clinical reviews.
• Undertake clinical procedures within your level of training and competency, including health observations, venepuncture, vaccinations, ECGs, and Fibroscans.
• Monitor and support community alcohol detoxification programmes.
• Deliver harm reduction advice, including overdose prevention, wound care awareness, and naloxone education.
• Support Hepatitis C testing and referrals for treatment.
• Conduct healthcare assessments for new and existing service users.
• Work across outreach services, needle and syringe programmes, and other community-based interventions.
• Maintain clean, safe clinical environments and follow infection prevention and control procedures.
• Accurately record service user information and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Support clinical audits and contribute to continuous service improvement.

About You

You are a caring, compassionate, and proactive individual with a genuine desire to support vulnerable people and improve health outcomes. You are comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, with the ability to manage clinical tasks safely and professionally.

Required

• Maths and English qualifications.
• NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• An understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control principles.
• The ability to carry out delegated clinical procedures following training and competency assessment.
• Awareness of the challenges associated with drug and alcohol misuse and the impact on individuals and communities.
• Strong communication, organisational, and record-keeping skills.

Desirable

• Training in phlebotomy and vaccination administration.
• Experience using clinical databases or electronic patient record systems.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

Closing Date: 2026-11-09

Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. In April 2026, Aquarius, our former subsidiary partner, merged with Waythrough. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support. We have 260 services around England – and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 130,000 people.