Healthcare assistant/Therapy assistant - Rapid Response

NHS; Kendal; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking a Healthcare Assistant/Therapy Assistant for the South Lakes Rapid Response Team in Kendal. This role involves supporting patients with daily living activities, clinical observations, and following treatment plans. Ideal candidates will possess a Level 3 Care Certificate or be willing to obtain one. Full training is provided, making a significant impact on community health.

Benefits

Full training and development

Supportive multi-disciplinary team

Qualifications

• Willingness to complete Level 3 Care Certificate within 3 months.
• Experience providing care to adults.
• Experience working as a healthcare or therapy assistant preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation of delegated interventions like venepuncture and clinical observations.
• Help frail population remain at home with care and therapy.
• Offer emotional support to patients and relatives.

Skills

Effective communication

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Education

Level 3 Care Certificate or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Job Summary We are advertising a Healthcare assistant/Therapy assistant post for the South Lakes Rapid Response and Virtual Ward Team. This post is an opportunity to develop and build on your existing skill set within the healthcare sector. The service supports the 2 hour community response mandate across the South Lakes locality. South Lakes Rapid Response is a short-term service offering interventions to manage medical crises, provide a safe alternative to hospital, facilitate safe and timely discharge from hospital, and provide rehabilitation to aid recovery towards independence.

As a Healthcare/Therapy Assistant within the team you will work under guidance from a multi-professional team including Medics, consultant practitioners, Advanced clinical practitioners, nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Assistant Practitioners and other Therapy Assistants, supporting the implementation of delegated interventions across nursing and therapy, including activities of daily living.

Your role may involve activities such as venepuncture (blood sampling), taking clinical observations, fitting equipment and supporting administration of medications. You will help our frail population remain in their own homes with care support and therapy programmes.

We provide full training and development within a supportive multidisciplinary team, and you will make a difference to people when they are most vulnerable.

About Us

We operate from three main hospitals – Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, plus community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre. FGH and RLI have general hospital services with Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and consultant-led services. WGH provides general hospital services including an Urgent Treatment Centre for non-life-threatening conditions. All three hospitals offer planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day-case and inpatient surgery, with local outreach services and diagnostics across Morecambe Bay.

Details

Date posted: 16 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year pro rata per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 331-C12870125-C
Job locations: South Lakes Rapid Response, Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal, LA9 7RG

Job Description

Job responsibilities: To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more about University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay by visiting our website: https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/

Person Specification

Essential

• Education and Qualifications: Level 3 Care Certificate or equivalent experience/training, or willingness and ability to complete the Level 3 Care Certificate within 3 months of being in post

Desirable

• European computer driving licence or an equivalent IT qualification (ability to use a range of IT applications)

Experience

• Essential: Experience working in a team
• Experience of providing care to adults
• Experience using Microsoft Office and other IT applications

• Desirable: Experience working as a health care or therapy assistant
• Experience working with people who have dementia

Skills, ability and knowledge

• Essential: Ability to communicate effectively and adjust communication style to meet the needs of service users, relatives and other team members
• Ability to organise self and prioritise work
• Ability to follow instructions and treatment plans from a registered health care professional

Personal qualities

• Essential: Able to offer emotional support to patients and relatives, including those at the end of life and those with complex cognitive or mental health issues
• Willingness to seek feedback and to act upon this as appropriate

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer: University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust
Address: South Lakes Rapid Response, Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal, LA9 7RG
Employer's website: https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk