Healthcare Assistant

Priory Group; Preston; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday leave

Enhanced maternity pay

Contributory pension

Flexible benefits

Development opportunities

IPD sponsorship

Leadership development

Long service award

Refer a friend bonus

Job summary

Priory Group is seeking a Healthcare Assistant at Priory Hospital Preston to join our 50-bed mental health facility near Preston. The role is full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with a fixed annual salary of £26,300 and a strong emphasis on compassionate patient care in collaboration with qualified staff.

You will assist with assessments and personal care under supervision, support individual care plans, and uphold confidentiality and safeguarding standards.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 1 or GCSEs in Maths and English are required.
• Good communication, listening and observational skills are essential.
• Basic IT skills and understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding are expected.

Responsibilities

• Assist qualified staff with assessment and implementation of patient care plans.
• Provide practical support with intimate personal needs while ensuring dignity and safety.
• Observe and report changes in patient wellbeing to senior staff or the primary nurse.
• Carry out delegated interventions such as observation, leaving on leave, de-escalation and managing aggression.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support patient care.

Skills

NVQ Level 1

GCSE Maths

GCSE English

Communication skills

IT skills

Confidentiality & safeguarding

Caring attitude

Education

NVQ Level 1 or GCSEs (Maths & English)

Job description

Healthcare Assistant

Application Deadline: 10 October 2026

Department: Healthcare Assistants and Support Workers

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Priory Hospital Preston

Compensation: £26,300 / year

Description

Priory Hospital Preston
£26,300 per annum

Full Time - 37.5 hours per week

Priory Hospital Preston has an opportunity for a Healthcare Assistant to join our team.

Based in Bartle, near Preston, Priory Hospital Preston is a 50-bedded mental health hospital, offering an extensive range of services, delivered across four wards. We can support adult males and females with acute mental health needs and eating disorders, and specialise in the management and treatment of these conditions.

Priory’s acute services aim to allow more people to be treated closer to home and we support the NHS to repatriate out-of-area patients back to local areas.

What you'll be doing

You will be part of a compassionate team who are committed to our patients wellbeing. We take a personalised approach, using proven therapies to help people move forward with confidence and build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You will play a key part in their recovery, assisting qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans, undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed or delegated to facilitate wellbeing, dignity and treatment of patients

• Assists qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed to facilitate the wellbeing, dignity and treatment of all patients.
• Provides practical support and responsive care to patients who require assistance with intimate personal needs such as dressing, bathing and toileting activities ensuring that such activities comply with procedures and the relevant healthcare legislation.
• Observes and monitors the wellbeing of patients ensuring that any unusual physical, mental or emotional occurrences are promptly referred to senior staff/the primary nurse and documented as appropriate.
• Provide specific interventions with patients as delegated by a Registered Nurse, and following training and competency attainment. Such interventions include Observation and Engagement with Patients, escorting patients on leave, and being involved in de-escalation and management of violence and aggression.
• Contribute to a team approach to patient care in conjunction with all members of the multidisciplinary team.

You can find additional information in the attached job description.

What you'll bring to the role

Essential for the role

• NVQ Level 1 or GCSEs in Maths and English
• Good communication, listening and observational skills
• Basic IT skills
• Understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding
• Caring and supportive approach to patient care

The following experience would be beneficial

• Previous experience in a healthcare or care setting
• Experience supporting individuals with personal care needs
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience managing challenging situations or behaviours

What we will give you in return

We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.

• Birthday Holiday - Your Birthday as an extra days annual leave
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Contributory pension scheme
• Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
• Access to development opportunities
• Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
• Leadership & management development
• Long service award
• Refer a friend bonuses

Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.