Healthcare Assistant in North East

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 29 October 2026

This in an INTERNAL position for a part-time 20 hour perweek Band 3 Healthcare Assistant within Sexual Health. The main part of thisrole will be based within the Community CASH Team at Bishop Auckland Hospital.However, successful candidate will work as part of a multi-professional teamunder the direction of qualified health care staff who will be providingcomprehensive, evidence based and patient focused sexual health care. This willinclude community-based Contraception and Sexual Health (CaSH clinics) andChlamydia screening and related public health activities and initiatives aswell as hospital based Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM). The 20 hours will berostered depending on clinical need, Monday to Friday, day time and earlyevening clinics, with the occasional Saturday.

This is a blended role of part clinical, partadministrative, encompassing use of IT, reception duties, booking lines, clinicadministration, alongside clinical duties such as smooth running of the clinic,chaperoning, venepuncture and clinical support for the qualified staffmembers. The post requires someone with excellentcommunication and written skills and clinical experience.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is responsible for supporting both thenursing and medical staff in the care and treatment of patients attendingsexual health services. With the blended role of clinical and administrativeresponsibilities recognising the importance of both elements in the smoothrunning of the service.

The post is allocated a nominal base but requiresflexibility to work across Trust and community locations, including CaSHclinics, Chlamydia screening programmes, and related public health initiatives.

This is a blended clinical and administrativerole within the Sexual Health Service, supporting clinic delivery throughreception, appointment booking, clinic administration, chaperoning,venepuncture, and clinical support to registered staff. The post holder willrequire excellent communication skills and a professional, non-judgementalapproach to patient care.

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 Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Job responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for supporting both thenursing and medical staff in the care and treatment of patients attendingsexual health services.

General housekeeping duties related to clinical examinationrooms and laboratory areas.

Liaise with laboratory staff to request stock and resultsand process specimens.

Ensure appropriate labelling and storage and transportationof specimens.

After training as required, to undertake basic clinicalobservations/procedures as directed by doctor or nurse.

Communicates and gives care to all patients in anon-judgmental manner

Undertake urine testing for infection and pregnancy testing,as instructed by trained staff

Venepuncture after training and supervised practice

Post treatment compliance and updating of partner details bytelephone after training and supervised practice.

Undertake test and go with appropriate patients and ensurethat appropriate coding is completed

Conduct basic sexual health screening in outreach settings.

Assist and observe patients undertaking clinical proceduressuch as IUS/IUD insertion, implant insertion and removal, biopsies with trainedstaff members

• Abide by Trust polices and procedures (includes mandatoryand statutory training)
• Triage patients using specific triage algolrythm and bookapproppiate appointment slot.

Maintenance of strict patient confidentiality at all times.

Administration and clinical preparation of clinics

Answering calls on the booking lines and making patientappointments

Reception duties including greeting patients and visitors onarrival in clinic

Ensure registration / confidentiality forms are completedand attached to the EPR

Ensure demographics are checked and updated at every contact/ opportunity

Monitor generic email and incoming requests / referralsappropriately

Ensure clear and accurate records of all care contact withor regarding the patient is documented in the EPR

Report to a Nurse or Doctor any disclosure or observation bypatient of assault, abuse or untowardincidents

After training to be able to discuss where appropriate withpatients, various research projects that sexual health are undertaking.

Provide C card service including registration anddistribution adhering to the Fraser guidelines and recognise when to refersafeguarding issues to a Nurse or Doctor.

The post holder may be required to undertakeother duties commensurate with the banding of the post and experience andtraining.

Person Specification

Special Requirements

• The ability to work in a flexible way, including evening and weekend work as per clinic need.
• Ability to travel independently across different venues to fulfill the requirements of the post

Qualifications

• Relevant NVQ Level 3/Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent relevant experience.
• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
• GCSE equivalent in English and Mathematics.
• Safeguarding Adults training

Experience

• Experience working unsupervised
• Experience of working within a sexual health or contraception setting or other relevant sensitive environment
• Experience of community-based work in a relevant field.
• Experience of working with a diverse cohort of people including young people

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Awareness of the principles of confidentiality and relevant policies
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Competent use of IT.
• Demonstrate the ability to obtain blood samples from patients via Venepuncture desired but training can be given to the suitable candidate
• Demonstrate the ability to perform basic clinical observations/procedures as directed by doctor or nurse, desired but training can be given to the suitable candidate
• Able to demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm and commitment
• Able to work flexibly under pressure, rapid pace, and with an unpredictable work pattern
• Self-starter, able to work independently, on own initiative and to deadlines
• Ability to plan and organise workload to ensure safe service provision
• Team player - ability to engage positively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team
• General sexual health and contraception knowledge
• Skilled in obtaining blood samples via venepuncture
• Knowledge of policies and procedures surrounding care of young people under 16

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

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