Job Description

We are seeking an enthusiastic Health Care Assistant (HCA) to join our team at Band 3 HCA to cover maternity leave for a duration of 12 months.
As a HCA, you will be an active member of the children's diabetes multidisciplinary team (MDT) and will undertake delegated tasks to support paediatric diabetes care processes. This rewarding position allows you to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of children and young people aged 0-19 years with diabetes in our area. Our friendly and dynamic team includes a Band 7 lead nurse, Band 6 nurse specialists, and administrative staff. We work closely with a wider MDT that includes dietitians, psychologists, and consultants with a special interest in diabetes.
The post holder plays a central role in delivering outpatient care in accordance with local and national guidelines, in collaboration with the MDT team. Under appropriate supervision (either direct or indirect), you will assist in delivering all planned care. This position is for 23 hours per week, with a requirement to travel independently across the hospital's main sites. It is essential that applicants have access to a suitable vehicle to facilitate travel across the locations.
The successful applicant for the post will be based Trust Wide.
Main duties of the job
The Work base locations can be discussed if successful;
- The post holder will support the MDT diabetes team providing a high quality service to children and young people and their families with diabetes in day to day care, offering support and advise (under supervision) to optimize the control of their blood glucose and their physical, psychological, intellectual, educational and social development in outpatient settings.
- To support the maintenance of a robust framework that meets the needs of children with diabetes
- Good interpersonal skills together with the ability to work, liaise and interact with a variety of professional contacts
- Committed to ensuring a positive hospital experience for all children, young people, families and cares.
- Ability to work as part of a team and to organize and manage own workload.
- Good IT skills together with an awareness of digital health platforms.
- Flexibility and ability to adapt to ensure achievement of objectives within constantly changing situations and environments.
- Supporting the diabetes service in preparations of education sessions, resources, booking venues and procurement processes.
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 s 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 a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA 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)
Details
Date posted
10 June 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,625 to 25,674 a year pro rata
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
C9439-2526-0301
Job locations
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
University Hospital Of North Durham
North Road
Durham
DH1 5TW
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are seeking a dynamic and driven individual to join our childrens diabetes team and assist in delivering diabetes care pathways. We welcome candidates who are eager to learn and understand the impact of diabetes on the well-being of children and young people. A commitment to working with families to help children reach their full potential is essential.
Additionally, the 23-hour post can be considered for job sharing between two HCAs, subject to the applications received. This will enable base working across South sites (Darlington and Bishop Auckland) and North sites (Chester-le-Street and University Hospital of North Durham).
If this description resonates with you, we would love to hear from you! For informal inquiries, please contact Alison Stelling, Lead Childrens Diabetes Specialist Nurse, at 07827254395 or via email at astelling@nhs.net.
Please note that this position requires an enhanced DBS check. Job description
Job responsibilities
We are seeking a dynamic and driven individual to join our childrens diabetes team and assist in delivering diabetes care pathways. We welcome candidates who are eager to learn and understand the impact of diabetes on the well-being of children and young people. A commitment to working with families to help children reach their full potential is essential.
Additionally, the 23-hour post can be considered for job sharing between two HCAs, subject to the applications received. This will enable base working across South sites (Darlington and Bishop Auckland) and North sites (Chester-le-Street and University Hospital of North Durham).
If this description resonates with you, we would love to hear from you! For informal inquiries, please contact Alison Stelling, Lead Childrens Diabetes Specialist Nurse, at 07827254395 or via email at astelling@nhs.net.
Please note that this position requires an enhanced DBS check.
Person Specification
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• 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.
• Good verbal and written command of English.
• Ability to act upon own initiative.
• Good communication skills.
• 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.

Desirable

• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation.

Qualifications
Essential

• Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent relevant experience.
• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

• Short courses relevant to undertake patient and clinical care duties.

Experience
Essential

• Computer skills.
• Ability to learn new skills.

Desirable

• Previous experience in caring for others.

Special Requirements
Essential

• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills.
• Reflective practitioner.
• Ability to work in a busy and varied work environment and respond to change.

Desirable

• Be able to offer pastoral care to mentors and students when providing feedback on performance.

Person Specification
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• 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.
• Good verbal and written command of English.
• Ability to act upon own initiative.
• Good communication skills.
• 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.

Desirable

• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation.

Qualifications
Essential

• Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent relevant experience.
• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

• Short courses relevant to undertake patient and clinical care duties.

Experience
Essential

• Computer skills.
• Ability to learn new skills.

Desirable

• Previous experience in caring for others.

Special Requirements
Essential

• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills.
• Reflective practitioner.
• Ability to work in a busy and varied work environment and respond to change.

Desirable

• Be able to offer pastoral care to mentors and students when providing feedback on performance.