Healthcare Assistant in Luton

Main area: Community Adults Rapid Response Team

Grade: Band 3

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time/Part time, 30 hours per week (The team work flexible over a 7 day period with core shifts 8am to 6.30pm and 10.30am to 9.00pm)

Salary: £24,937 - £26,598 per annum, pro-rata

Closing: 08/02/2026 23:59

Interview date: 25/02/2026

Driven by our Trust values: Honesty, Empathy, Ambition, Respect; the Trust's vision is to provide high quality care to the diverse communities we serve to make their lives better. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.

Job overview:

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and skilled Health Care Assistant to join the Rapid Response nursing team. The Rapid Response team take referrals from GPs, Paramedics, local Hospitals and Specialist Community Teams for patients experiencing an acute health crisis. We aim to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions by assessing patients, developing care plans and liaising with other services as needed.

You will be providing nursing support and care to patients on the Rapid Response caseloads including Virtual wards and supporting patients on the District Nursing caseload who may require unplanned / urgent visits. Must have previous NHS experience in a health care associated role. You will be required to work a flexible working pattern and must have a UK driving licence and must be able to drive as the role requires you to visit patients in their own homes.

Main duties of the job:

• To work as a Multi-Skilled Assistant supporting qualified members of the Community Nursing team to deliver appropriate nursing care to enable each patient to achieve their maximum potential and remain within their home environment.
• To be able to respond under supervision to unexpected health care needs of patients.
• As our Health Care Assistant (HCA) you will be involved in supporting patients which may involve short episodes of intensive input to prevent hospital admission.
• This will also involve undertaking personal care of patients, medication administration, wound care and completing patient assessments.

Working for our organisation:

Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Provide advice and instruction to patients to explain any procedures being undertaken.
• Understand the principles of data protection and patient confidentiality and the policies and procedures surrounding them.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings.
• Basic understanding of IT and ability to use e-mail and willingness to undertake training for any systems used to collect and manage patient data.
• Communicate with practice staff and GP’s regarding results and collection of specimens.
• Refer patient queries to the nursing staff in a timely fashion.
• Provide understanding and support to patients having difficulty coping with their condition.
• To ensure at all times patients are treated with care and compassion.
• Report any change or deviation from planned care package to nursing staff.
• Recognise change in patients need and with instruction adapt care package accordingly.
• Recognise abnormal results following monitoring and inform nursing staff.
• Undertake the delivery of patient care packages under the supervision of nursing staff.
• Manage and prioritise workload.
• To liaise with other health professionals, social services, GP’s, hospital staff and other agencies involved in the care of each patient as required.
• To accurately take and record telephone messages as required, including supporting the screening and prioritisation of referrals according to local guidelines.
• Undertake set nursing procedures following training and assessment e.g. phlebotomy, blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose monitoring, preparing patients as necessary prior to procedure, using aseptic technique.
• Driving skills, including in icy and snowy conditions.
• To provide general office duties i.e.: filing, photocopying as required.
• Be able to implement packages of care, therapy or treatment prescribed by qualified members of the team.
• Support patients in achieving goals set in care packages.
• Undertake personal and social care as required to support people to remain at home.
• Deliver prescribed medication to patients, operating within set protocols.
• To provide reassurance & psychological support to patients in an acute phase of illness which may involve short episodes of intensive input to prevent hospital admission.
• To maintain a neat and tidy appearance and professional approach to work, patients, their families & other colleagues.
• To act in a manner that is in line with Trust Values at all times.
• Ensure all electronic and paper based records are kept up to date and filed appropriately.
• To maintain accurate and comprehensive records, recording and providing statistical information by means of computer and other methods.
• To monitor stock in partnership with the nursing team.

Person specification:

• Good standard of spoken & written English.
• NVQ Level 3 in Health or Adult Care Diploma Level 3 RQF.
• Care Certificate.
• Admin/clerical training.
• Minimum 1 year recent experience in a clinical nursing/care assistant role within the NHS.
• Experience of supporting Nursing Care Provision.
• Experience of working with the public.
• Previous experience of working in a team.
• Insulin administration.
• Experience of using S1.
• Previous experience of providing personal care.
• Update to date clinical skills in wound care, catheter care including changing catheter bags and can monitor and understand vital signs (such as temperature, blood pressure) recognising when to escalate.
• Basic IT skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Good communication skills both verbal and written.
• Accurate and methodical approach to work.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Ability to cope with challenging behaviour.