Healthcare Assistant - Acute (Adults)

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust; South Shields; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Healthcare Assistant for acute adults care in a busy clinical environment. You will assist in providing compassionate patient care while maintaining dignity and privacy. The position requires a minimum of 24 hours work per week, flexibility with shifts, and attendance at a face-to-face interview. Previous care experience is preferred but not mandatory, as full training including the Care Certificate will be provided to successful candidates.

Benefits

Access to a Fitness Centre

Comprehensive training programs

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Must be aged 18 or over to meet shift working requirements.
• Previous care experience is preferred but not mandatory.
• Willingness to complete the Care Certificate within 14 weeks.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing high quality compassionate patient care.
• Maintain patient privacy and dignity at all times.
• Contribute to housekeeping and other ward duties.
• Compliance with Trust policies and procedures.

Skills

Good communication skills

Compassionate attitude

Basic keyboard and IT skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Maths and English at level 1 or above

NVQ Level 2 in health and social care

Job description

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant - Acute (Adults)

The closing date is 16 December 2025

Are you compassionate and highly motivated with a desire to help others?

If so, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) are looking to recruit highly motivated, enthusiastic and reliable individuals who can work in a busy, high‑pressured and sometimes challenging clinical environment.

At STSFT, we welcome applications from candidates who are able to work at least 24 hours per week up to full time (37.5 hrs), as services provide care 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. The majority of vacancies are for inpatient areas, therefore there would be an expectation that applicants are flexible to work a variety of shifts, including days, nights, weekends and bank holidays in order to support the needs of the service, although flexible working requests will be considered but cannot always be guaranteed.

We welcome applications from those with previous care experience and from those who are new to care, as full training is provided.

The majority of the vacancies are within Sunderland Royal Hospital, however, applicants would be expected to work across all Trust sites when required by the service.

Applicants must be available to attend a face‑to‑face interview on the day. All interviews will be held at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Main duties of the job

Applicants are expected to display the required behaviours and attitudes needed to provide safe and compassionate care to our patients and possess the required skills for this role.

It is essential you have good communication and organisational skills, and are able to work under pressure. You must be able to demonstrate a caring and compassionate attitude in all aspects of care delivery.

We provide a comprehensive Care Certificate Programme (which consists of both classroom‑based and self‑directed study) that will support you in achieving the competencies and skills required to deliver high quality and safe patient care.

It is a condition of employment that all Healthcare Assistants must attend and complete the Care Certificate and achieve their competencies within 14 weeks of commencing in post.

Progression to Band 3 is on successful completion of the Care Certificate and a period of consolidated learning.

To comply with the Young Worker regulations applicants must be aged 18 or over to be able to meet shift working requirements on any day of the week and be able to work both day and night shifts as required.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award‑winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture/working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,600 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co‑ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

• To assist the registered practitioner (or other healthcare practitioners) in providing high quality compassionate patient care and assistance to patients/relatives and their carers, appropriate to their needs.
• Maintain patients privacy and dignity at all times.
• Responsible for carrying out tasks as delegated by the registered practitioner who has overall accountability for delegating care.
• Continue to develop and maintain competencies to support high quality safe care.
• Be an effective part of the multi‑disciplinary team contributing to the departmental objectives.
• You will be expected to contribute to housekeeping and other ward duties as required, e.g. general tidiness, ensuring pre‑determined stock levels are met and clinical equipment is clean, working and stored correctly.
• Assist with administrative and clerical duties as required.
• To comply with the Trusts vision, values, behavioural compact, as well as policies and procedures.

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DETAILS OF THIS ROLE.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Maths and English at level 1 or above (GCSE AE or equivalent)
• NVQ Level 2 qualification in health and social care / customer care or equivalent in any subject

Physical Skills

• Ability to assist patients to move, as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy
• Ability to work a minimum of 24 hours (2 long shifts) per week

Experience

• Substantive customer services experience or experience of working in a caring role (paid or unpaid)

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to communicate messages and instructions accurately to colleagues, both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrate good customer care skills and the ability to communicate effectively with the patients, carers and visitors
• Presents self as courteous, respectful and helpful
• Basic keyboard and IT skills
• Willingness to complete Competency Based Assessments and a Portfolio of evidence, in order to achieve the Care Certificate and any other training related to this role
• Work effectively under direct supervision as part of a multi‑disciplinary team

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

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

£24,465 to £26,598 a year pro‑rata for part‑time