Healthcare Assistant

St Joseph’s Hospital; Newport; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A private healthcare facility in Newport is seeking a Healthcare Assistant to support nursing staff and provide high-quality patient care during surgical journeys. The ideal candidate should possess basic clinical observation skills, previous experience in a healthcare role, and NVQ Level 2 in Direct Care or equivalent. You will assist with patient preparation for surgery, monitor recovery, and ensure a compassionate approach to patient service. This role demands effective communication skills and a commitment to safety and hygiene standards.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate clearly with staff and patients.
• Basic documentation skills.
• Must present a high standard of personal appearance.
• English language proficiency to IELTS 7.0.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for surgery including personal care and safe transfers.
• Monitor patients during recovery, record vital signs.
• Deliver compassionate care and communicate professionally with patients.
• Adhere to infection control standards in surgical environments.

Skills

Communication skills

Basic IT skills

Clinical observation

Health, safety, and hygiene awareness

Education

NVQ Direct Care Level 2 or equivalent experience

Job description

To assist the qualified nursing staff, under their supervision, in providing a high quality, patient-focused nursing service to all patients and users, ensuring a high standard of a patient care is maintained.

Main duties of the job

The HCA assists clinical staff in maintaining excellent standards of safety, comfort, and dignity throughout each patients surgical journey.

About us

At St Josephs Hospital, we each play our part in creating a constructive and welcoming working environment where everyone is empowered to do their best work. We encourage our people to work together, driving excellence and improving patient outcomes. Our combination of the latest facilities and world-class expertise give you the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of experiences to help grow your knowledge at our independent private hospital. Located just two miles north of the M4 in Newport, the hospital is easy to get to from Cardiff, Bristol, Monmouth, and Abergavenny.

Job responsibilities

Pre-operative Support

• Prepare patients for surgery, including assisting with pre-operative checks, personal care, gowning, and safe transfer to theatre areas.
• Provide reassurance and emotional support to reduce anxiety before procedures.
• Ensure patient documentation, belongings, and identification are managed correctly.

Post-operative & Recovery Support

• Assist nursing staff in monitoring patients during post-operative recovery (within training and competence).
• Record observations such as vital signs, pain scores, wound condition, and levels of consciousness.
• Assist with personal care needs such as hygiene, mobility, nutrition, and toileting following surgery.
• Support safe mobilisation after procedures according to clinical guidance.
• Clinical Support (Under Supervision)
• Collect and label specimens accurately.
• Assist with wound care, dressing changes, and drain management as instructed.
• Ensure equipment (e.g., moving aids, monitoring devices) is clean, functional, and available.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in line with hospital policies.

Patient Care & Customer Service

• Deliver a high standard of personalised, compassionate care aligned with private healthcare expectations.
• Communicate professionally with patients, relatives, and visitors, maintaining confidentiality and sensitivity at all times.
• Support patients with dietary requirements and ensure meals are served safely and appropriately.

Safety, Quality & Professional Standards

• Adhere to infection prevention and control standards within surgical environments.
• Follow manual handling, safeguarding, and medication support policies.
• Escalate concerns regarding patient deterioration, safety risks, or equipment faults promptly.
• Participate in audits, continuous improvement initiatives, and mandatory training.
• To meet SJH values, whilst delivering care to patients and relatives
• To adhere to the relevant Codes of Conduct, Guidelines and SJH Policies, Procedures, Protocols and Standards at all times
• Carry out any other duty that reasonably falls within the general nature and level of responsibility of the post.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Whilst no formal qualifications are required you must be able to communicate with other members of staff and patients clearly and your personal appearance must be of a high standard, expected in a professional healthcare environment.
• Basic IT and documentation skills
• Basic awareness of health, safety and hygiene
• English language to IELTS 7.0
• Basic clinical observation skills

Experience

• Previous experience as a Healthcare Assistant
• Previous ward experience, ideally surgical or acute setting

Qualifications

• NVQ Direct Care Level 2 or equivalent experience

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.