Job Description

This is an exciting time to join Acute & Emergency Care at Darlington Memorial Hospital as we continue to improve the process and experience for patients who are admitted to Hospital in an emergency. We are seeking to appoint Health Care Assisitants to join our Acute Medical Unit.
If you like a challenge, and are able to work at a very fast pace,enjoy working collaboratively then working as part of our Acute Medical Unit multidisciplinary team may be the job for you. It would place you as a member of a committed, caring and compassionate team, who are supportive and knowledgeable about their specialty.
You will work closely with our experienced and friendly multi disciplinary team to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the medical emergency patients care, providing first line treatment. This rapid plan of care enables 40 percent of admissions to be discharged home from the AMU.
To continue in this excellent work we are looking to recruit a number of enthusiastic, dynamic and highly motivated Health Care Asssitants to join our team.
Main duties of the job
You will be required to assist qualified nursing staff in providing direct patient care. You must be able to work effectively as part of a team as well as being able to use your own initiative when required.
As you will be expected to deal with staff, patients and relatives on a daily basis as well as recording routine clinical observations, the successful applicant will be able demonstrate excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
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
25 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,465 to 26,598 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
C9439-2526-0607
Job locations
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist in admitting patients to the ward, completing demographic details and recording base-line observations.
To provide care to patients following instructions in the care plan, or pathway.
To demonstrate competence in the accurate recording of routine clinical observations.
To recognise abnormal recordings or signs of change in a patients condition and report changes to a registered nurse.
To assess patients level of dependence in meeting personal care needs and give appropriate assistance (includes hygiene, mobility, nutrition, elimination and comfort).
To assist patients to eat and drink in a sensitive and supportive manner.
To accurately record information on patient food charts and fluid balance charts, reporting concerns to a registered nurse Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist in admitting patients to the ward, completing demographic details and recording base-line observations.
To provide care to patients following instructions in the care plan, or pathway.
To demonstrate competence in the accurate recording of routine clinical observations.
To recognise abnormal recordings or signs of change in a patients condition and report changes to a registered nurse.
To assess patients level of dependence in meeting personal care needs and give appropriate assistance (includes hygiene, mobility, nutrition, elimination and comfort).
To assist patients to eat and drink in a sensitive and supportive manner.
To accurately record information on patient food charts and fluid balance charts, reporting concerns to a registered nurse
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent relevant experience.
• Care Certificate
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

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

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.

Experience
Essential

• Computer skills.
• Ability to learn new skills

Desirable

• Previous experience in caring for others.

Personal Attributes
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

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• 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

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent relevant experience.
• Care Certificate
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

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

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.

Experience
Essential

• Computer skills.
• Ability to learn new skills

Desirable

• Previous experience in caring for others.

Personal Attributes
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

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• 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

Skills Required