Healthcare Assistant in Sexual Health

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; North East; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a multi-skilled professional to support sexual health services. The role includes administrative duties, clinical support, and patient management within a team. Candidates should have good communication skills and a flexible approach, including the ability to work evenings and weekends. Previous experience in a relevant context is beneficial. This position involves direct patient care and working closely with healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive health service delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience working unsupervised.
• Patient-focused, understands the patient journey.
• Flexible, able to work evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Support nursing and medical staff in patient care.
• General housekeeping related to clinical areas.
• Conduct basic sexual health screenings.

Skills

Good oral and written communication skills

Competent use of IT

Ability to plan and organise workload

Team player

Awareness of confidentiality principles

Education

GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics

Care Certificate or willingness to complete

Job description

Overview

Go back County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 09 February 2026

The successful candidate will work as part of a multi-professional team and under the direction of qualified health care staff who will be providing comprehensive, evidence based and patient focused sexual health care. This includes Contraception and Sexual Health (CaSH), Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) and Chlamydia screening and related public health initiatives. The role is blended and encompasses both IT, administrative and reception duties including booking lines and clinic administration, alongside a clinical role including chaperoning, venepuncture and clinical support for the qualified staff members.

There may be a requirement to work across the Trust.

Main duties of the job

Administration and clinical preparation of clinics that may be based within a hospital or a community setting. Assisting with specimens ensuring they are documented correctly to proceed to the laboratory.

Ensuring that patients feel comfortable and relaxed prior to, and after clinical procedures. Supporting the team to conduct their clinical assessment and procedures. The administrative element of the role will require using our Electronic Patient Record. This ensures that wherever the patient is seen their patient record will always be available for the staff at any venue.

All care and communications to patients, their chaperones and other staff will be given in a non-judgmental manner.

Maintenance of strict patient confidentiality at all times.

This is a blended role that requires staff to be flexible within their remit of part clinical, part administrative. The hours are flexible and will include evenings. Sometimes there is a requirement to work weekends.

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 been employed for a minimum of two years as a HCA within the NHS 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 post holder is responsible for supporting both the nursing and medical staff in the care and treatment of patients attending sexual health services.

General housekeeping duties related to clinical examination rooms and laboratory areas.

Liaise with laboratory staff to request stock and results and process specimens.

Ensure appropriate labelling and storage and transportation of specimens.

After training as required, to undertake basic clinical observations/procedures as directed by doctor or nurse. Venepuncture after training and supervised practice.

Undertake test and go with appropriate patients.

Conduct basic sexual health screening in outreach settings.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Awareness of the principles of confidentiality and relevant policies
• Knowledge of policies and procedures surrounding care of young people under 16
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Competent use of IT
• Demonstrate the ability, after training and supervised practice, to undertake Venepuncture and basic clinical observations/procedures as directed by doctor or nurse
• Able to demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm and commitment
• Able to work flexibly under pressure, rapid pace, and with an unpredictable work pattern
• Self starter, able to work independently, on own initiative and to deadlines
• Ability to plan and organise workload to ensure safe service provision
• Team player
• Knowledge of the methodology used for partner notification
• General sexual health, contraception knowledge
• Knowledge of the Chlamydia Screening Programme

Experience

• Experience working unsupervised
• Patient Focused: Understands how their role impacts on the patient journey, and a willingness to place the patient at the centre of what they do
• Achieving Results: Experience of successfully working to deadlines and completing tasks.
• Inspirational Leadership: Keen to develop themselves and others, open to new ideas and willing to share their experience with others.
• Maximising Value: Takes ownership of problems and does not overly complicate matters or involve colleagues unnecessarily
• Working Together: Approachable and able to build relationships with a wide variety of colleagues
• Experience of community based work in a relevant field
• Experience of working within a sexual health or contraception setting

Qualifications

• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.
• Training that includes the principals of "Delay"
• The ability to work in a flexible way, including evening and weekend work
• Ability to travel independently to fulfill the requirements of the post

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