Healthcare Assistant

About the role

We are looking for caring, hard-working, and reliable individuals to join our team as Healthcare Assistants (Band 3) to support our Trust winter plan. Successful candidates will be placed on one of our medical wards across the Trust until April 2027, after which they will be transferred into another permanent vacancy. We also have vacancies in our Gastroenterology Ward and part-time roles across the wider Trust. Additional vacancies will be confirmed on the day of the interview.

This role involves working under the supervision of registered practitioners or assistant practitioners to carry out delegated, routine, and familiar tasks. You will contribute to patient care by assisting with basic needs such as washing, dressing, and feeding, as well as supporting routine assessments and reporting any concerns about patient wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the work of the department under direct or indirect supervision of registered practitioners or assistant practitioners.
• Carry out delegated, repetitive, routine, and familiar tasks.
• Develop awareness of normal parameters concerning patient/client wellbeing and report any deviations to the registered professional.
• Plan and prioritise own and delegated work tasks and activities.
• Assist with routine elements of patient assessment following an initial assessment by a registered practitioner.
• Meet the basic care needs of patients, including washing, dressing, and assistance with feeding.
• Work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team under direct supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality and align with Trust values and core behaviours.
• Be flexible to meet the needs of the service, including working a variety of shifts (days and nights).

Requirements

• GCSEs in English and Maths at Grades 3-1 (or D-G or Level 1 Functional/Key Skills).
• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent direct care experience in a recognised healthcare environment.
• Experience of caring in a healthcare setting.
• Ability to meet basic care needs of patients (e.g., washing, dressing, feeding).
• Ability to communicate effectively with members of the public and healthcare providers.
• Basic IT skills.
• Must be flexible to work a variety of shifts, including days and nights.

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or equivalent relevant experience.
• GCSEs in English and Maths at Grades 3-1 (or D-G or Level 1 Functional/Key Skills).

Desirable

• GCSEs in English and Maths at Grades 9-4 (or A*-C or Level 2 Functional/Key Skills).

Experience

Essential

• Understanding of confidentiality.
• Experience of caring in a healthcare setting.

Desirable

• An understanding of working in the NHS.

Skills

Essential

• Basic IT skills.
• Ability to work effectively under direct supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate with members of the public and healthcare providers.
• Ability to meet basic care needs of patients (e.g., washing, dressing, feeding).

Desirable

• Venepuncture skills.
• Competence in physical skills such as recording ECGs or blood glucose levels.

Benefits

As part of our Trust, you will have access to a range of staff benefits. For more details, please refer to the attached "Newcastle Staff Benefits" document.

About the organisation

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS hospital trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.7 billion. We provide high-quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation across a wide range of services, including hospital and community care, as well as specialised services for rare and complex conditions.

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, and we value the diversity of our employees. We aim to recruit a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and fosters an inclusive environment for both staff and patients.

We are also a leader in sustainability, with a commitment to being Net Zero by 2030 for our direct carbon footprint and by 2040 for our broader footprint. Every member of our team plays a role in achieving these ambitions.

Our services are delivered from multiple sites, including:

• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Cramlington Manor Walks
• Urgent treatment centres
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care (North Cumbria)
• Northern Genetics Service

Additional information

• All successful candidates will participate in our mandatory Healthcare Academy programme if new to the Trust.
• Shortlisted candidates will attend a face-to-face interview on Tuesday, 01 September 2026 at Regent Point, Gosforth.
• You will need to bring your qualification certificates, photographic identification, and a portfolio of evidence of your skills and experience on the day of the interview. This should include training certificates, documentation of skills and competencies, and a reflection of your healthcare experience.
• This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, with the cost covered by a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
• References covering a minimum of 3 years of employment will be required. Ensure you provide contact details for previous line managers in your application.

For further information or informal visits, contact Nursing Recruitment at nuth.healthcareassistantrecruitment@nhs.net or nuth.NursingRecruitmentQueries@nhs.net.