Healthcare Assistant

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; Peterlee; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional NHS healthcare provider is seeking a Healthcare Assistant to join their Community nursing service. This role involves providing essential care such as wound care and clinical observations while supporting patients and their families. Full training will be provided. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work under pressure and as part of a team.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with adults in a relevant assistant role.
• Ability to learn new skills quickly.
• Understanding of the role of HCSW.

Responsibilities

• Carry out basic wound care and clinical observations.
• Administer insulin and provide general support to patients.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Good verbal and written command of language

Ability to act upon own initiative

Able to work under some pressure

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively

Good interpersonal skills

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 29 September 2025

We are looking for a Health Care Support Worker to join our Community nursing service.

The successful applicant will be required to carry out basic wound care, clinical observations, administer insulin and provide general care and support to patients and their families. Full training can be given and care scheduled by a registrant.

Main duties of the job

The Community nursing team provide both planned and reactive care including Urgent Community Response.

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.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You 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 successful applicant will be required to carry out basic wound care, clinical observations, administer insulin and provide general care and support to patients and their families. Full training can be given and care scheduled by a registrant.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Good verbal and written command of language
• 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.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Able to work as part of a team
• Able to observe and record physical and social changes in patients
• Able to identify when to report to a registered nurse / therapist
• Able to work alone with patients within an agreed care plan
• Able to work with minimal supervision
• An appreciation of dealing with people in their own homes
• Demonstrate the ability (with training if necessary) to undertake basic clinical activities such as venepuncture, simple wound dressings, blood glucose monitoring (this list is not exhaustive) and other clinical duties identified by registered nurse
• Able to maintain Confidentiality
• Understanding of working with other agencies/multi-disciplinary working
• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation.

Experience

• Ability to learn new skills
• Experience of working within multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of working with adults. Relevant assistant experience.

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.

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.
• An understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing

Special Requirements

• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Skills.
• Ability to work in a busy and varied work environment and respond to change.
• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
• Be able to offer pastoral care to mentors and students when providing feedback on performance.

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