Healthcare Assistant

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

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme with employer match

Life assurance (3× salary)

Enhanced sick pay

Birthday leave and extra days

Professional qualification reimburse

Online GP access

Cycle to Work scheme

Blue Light Card discounts

Free will writing service

Job summary

Waythrough is seeking a compassionate Healthcare Assistant to join our multidisciplinary team in Cumbria. You will support clinical staff, contribute to care planning and deliver practical health interventions to service users in a safe, confidential setting.

We value harm reduction, infection control and person-centred care, with opportunities to advance through training. This full-time, permanent role offers a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment.

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 assessment.
• Awareness of drug/alcohol misuse and its community impact.

Responsibilities

• Support service user care plans, assessments and clinical reviews.
• Undertake clinical procedures within training level (e.g., health observations, venepuncture, vaccinations, ECGs).
• Monitor and support community alcohol detoxification programmes.
• Deliver harm reduction advice including overdose prevention and naloxone education.
• Support Hepatitis C testing and referrals for treatment.
• Conduct healthcare assessments for new and existing service users.
• Work across outreach services and community-based interventions.
• Maintain clean, safe clinical environments and infection control procedures.

Skills

Maths & English

NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care

IT skills

Data protection

Infection control

Clinical procedures knowledge

Communication skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care

Tools

Microsoft Office

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.

As a Healthcare Assistant , you will support the clinical team in delivering high-quality care and health interventions to service users. Working within a multidisciplinary environment, you will provide practical healthcare support, contribute to assessments and care planning, promote harm reduction, and help individuals improve their overall health and wellbeing. You will play an important role in ensuring service users receive safe, person-centred care while maintaining high standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and infection control.

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.

You will ideally have:

• 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

• 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.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [e-mail]

Closing Date: 2026-10-11