Healthcare Assistant - Critical Care

CDDFT Charity; Darlington; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust is seeking a dedicated Healthcare Assistant for its Critical Care unit. The role involves providing essential support to critically ill patients and assisting the nursing team with direct personal care and various clinical tasks. Candidates must have relevant qualifications and demonstrate resilience in a challenging environment, contributing to outstanding patient care.

Qualifications

• Must have a Care Certificate or be willing to complete within 6 months.
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.
• Short courses relevant to clinical care duties.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing direct personal care to patients.
• Support the nursing team with clinical tasks and maintain cleanliness.
• Contribute to patient handovers and documentation.

Skills

Good verbal and written communication

Ability to work under pressure

Interpersonal skills

Education

GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics

Care Certificate or willingness to complete

Job description

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant - Critical Care

The closing date is 03 July 2025

ITUis an 11 bedded combined High Dependency and Intensive Care unit that cares forpatients who are critically ill; providing all aspects of nursing care andmultidisciplinary rehabilitation after critical illness. The HealthcareAssistant in Critical care will provide essential support to themultidisciplinary team, under direct supervision of the registered nurse, to deliverhigh quality, individualised care to critically ill patients.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilitiesinclude assisting the nursing team with the provision of direct personal careto patients, performing clinical skills relevant to the role, supportingpatients and families emotional well-being, maintaining stock levels andcleanliness of the environment and equipment, and supporting withadministrative tasks as required. The role requires flexibility, high levels ofpersonal resilience, and a highly motivated attitude to support the team inmaintaining a safe environment for patients and staff in challenging and everchanging situations. The post holder is encouraged to engage in learning and trainingactivities, and must be motivated and responsible for their own development.

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 onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess

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 yearsof experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to considersponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria andhave a current visa expiring within 3 months)

Job responsibilities

To assist in the admitting of, critically ill patients tothe unit, including recording these on clinical systems, recording base-lineobservations and performing pre-procedure/safety checklists.

To provide personal care to patients following instructionswithin the Care Plan or Pathway, and contribute to promoting critical carerehab, under supervision of the registered nurse

To carry out clinical skills relevant to the role and scopeof practice, which may include recording ECGs, recording blood glucose,performing MRSA/CPE screening.

Assist the MDT in preparing equipment for clinicalprocedures;

To assist the clinical team with data entry, filing,completion and recording of safety checks, and documentation of care delivery.

Safely handle specimens( blood gases, urine) followingCDDFT guidelines;

Actively participate in patient handovers to ensureseamless care delivery;

Support the registered nurse with internal transfers andfor interventional procedures;

Communicate effectively with patients, and their families,respecting their dignity and confidentiality;

Monitor stock levels and support restocking of clinical areasto ensure the availability of essential supplies; liaising with stores tomaintain adequate stock levels.

Contribute to the cleaning and decontamination processes ofall equipment and the environment as per infection control protocols.

To demonstrate competence in accurate recording of clinicalobservations when required.

To recognise abnormal recordings or changes with thepatients condition and report to registered nurse

To act as chaperone when necessary

Serving of patient meals/drinks/snacks, supporting thepatient with these as required, in line with patient care plan instructions

To assist in escorting, transferring and dischargingpatients ensuring return of property and preparation of bed space for nextpatient

To participate in Clinical Supervision

To participate in the orientation/induction of lessexperienced staff

To adopt a positive attitude within the unit environmentand always treat patients, visitors and colleagues with respect

To assist in resolving conflict by responding to concernsand complaints in a positive manner.

Report and document any incidents as per Trust guidelines;

Comply with all trust policies and procedures in relationto all aspects of practice;

To maintain confidentiality in line with trust policies

The post holder will be responsible for their own personaldevelopment:

To attend Mandatory Training and in house trainingappropriate to support role.

To work through Band 3 Critical Care Competency Frameworkand departmental competency framework.

To attend regular unit meetings

Person Specification

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.

Experience

• Ability to learn new skills.
• Previous experience in caring for others.

Special Skills and Knowledge

• Good verbal and written command of
• 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.
• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation

Special Requirements

• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• skills.
• Ability to work in a busy and varied work
• environment and respond to change
• Be able to offer pastoral care to mentors and students when providing feedback on performance.

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.

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