Healthcare Assistant

NHS; South Shields; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job description

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 26 February 2026

Band 2/3 (move to Band 3 when competencies are met)

Healthcare Assistant – Hospital Elder Life Programme Assistant

We are looking for a highly enthusiastic individual to work with the Hospital Elder Life Practitioners within our trust. The post offers a challenging opportunity to gain knowledge of delirium and dementia, and requires a dynamic, highly motivated and passionate individual committed to high quality patient care within the hospital setting.

Main Duties

• Provide enhanced 1:1 care for patients who have an ongoing delirium or dementia, ensuring appropriate stimulation, engagement, re‑orientation and meeting dietary and fluid intake requirements.
• Assist with diet and fluid support for patients around the trust, including helping with meal times, feeding assistance, documentation and encouragement of dietary and fluid intake.
• Carry out life story sessions and reminiscence work within our patient group, including music therapy where appropriate at the Alexandra centre.
• Facilitate crafts and themed sessions both on wards and within the Alexandra centre.
• Ensure patients’ mobility needs are met and contribute to the PJ Paralysis initiative to keep patients mobile during inpatient stay.
• Provide appropriate personal care to maintain patient privacy and dignity at all times.
• Develop necessary skills to support patients through training sessions and support by the practitioners within the team.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist the registered practitioner (or other healthcare practitioners) in providing high‑quality compassionate patient care and assistance to patients/relatives and their carers appropriate to their needs.
• Maintain patients’ privacy and dignity at all times.
• Carry out tasks as delegated by the registered practitioner who has overall accountability for delegating care.
• Continue to develop and maintain competences to support high‑quality safe care.
• Be an effective part of the multi‑disciplinary team contributing to departmental objectives.
• Contribute to housekeeping and other ward duties as required (e.g. general tidiness, maintaining stock levels, ensuring clinical equipment is clean, working and stored correctly).
• Assist with admin & clerical duties as required.
• Comply with the Trust’s vision, values, behavioural compact, policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Maths and English at level 1 or above (GCSE A – E or equivalent).
• NVQ Level 2 qualification in health and social care/customer care or equivalent in any subject.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to communicate messages and instructions accurately to colleagues, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate good customer care skills and the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and visitors.
• Present self as courteous, respectful and helpful.
• Basic keyboard and IT skills.
• Willingness to complete competency‑based assessments and provide a portfolio of evidence to achieve the Care Certificate and any other training related to this role.
• Work effectively under direct supervision as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.

Experience

• Substantive customer services experience.
• Or experience of working in a caring role (paid or unpaid).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust – There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award‑winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce’s health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

For informal enquiries please contact: Claire Boylan ([e-mail]) and Kathryn Wressell ([e-mail]) or telephone [phone].

Person Specification

FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION SEE ATTACHMENT

Please note the Trust are not able to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the UKVI threshold requirements. Applicants are requested to consider this when making their application. Please visit Gov.UK for further information.