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- Tasks: Provide compassionate care to patients and support healthcare teams in a busy hospital environment.
- Company: Join the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, a leading healthcare provider.
- Benefits: Gain valuable NHS experience, access apprenticeship pathways, and enjoy a supportive learning environment.
- Why this job: Start a meaningful career in healthcare with opportunities for growth and development.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring your caring attitude and willingness to learn.
- Other info: Full-time role with structured progression towards Nursing Associate and Registered Nurse qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 800 - 1400 ÂŁ per month.
Start Your NHS Career With Us — Your Future Begins at Royal Berkshire Hospital. If you’re passionate about helping others and ready to take your first step into a meaningful, long‑term career, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust wants to hear from you. We’re looking for enthusiastic, caring and motivated individuals to join us as Healthcare Assistants — and to grow with us through our exceptional apprenticeship pathways. This is more than a job. It’s your opportunity to gain highly valued NHS experience, develop clinical skills, and build a career you can be proud of. Our Healthcare Assistants can go on to become Nursing Associates and Registered Nurses through our apprenticeship programmes – your journey could start right here.
Main duties of the job
- A supportive environment where your learning and development truly matter
- Opportunities to apply for apprenticeship routes after probation, including: The Nursing Associate Apprenticeship and the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship
- Structured progression for those who want to build a long‑term future in healthcare
- Hands‑on experience in a busy acute hospital – the perfect foundation for a clinical career
- A team that values compassion, communication and a willingness to learn
What we’re looking for
You don’t need previous healthcare experience – just the right values. If you’re caring, reliable, eager to learn and committed to making a difference, you’ll fit right in. Good communication skills and a compassionate approach are essential. Please note: this role requires full‑time working (37.5 hours per week) on a rota covering days, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
About us
We are one of the largest hospital foundation trusts in the country, and currently touch the lives of half a million patients in the west of Berkshire every year by providing high quality acute medical and surgical services for our local communities. The Trust strives to provide high quality, compassionate care for our patients and their families. Our values: Compassionate, Aspirational, Resourceful, Excellent.
The town of Reading sits on the River Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford, and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work, and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK. The CQC rated the care provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as good.
Job responsibilities
As a Healthcare Assistant, you’ll play a vital role in delivering high‑quality care under the supervision of Registered Practitioners. Your responsibilities will include:
- Always acting in the patient’s best interests
- Supporting patients with dignity, compassion and respect
- Providing personalised care to people from all backgrounds
- Noticing and reporting any changes in a patient’s condition
- Learning and performing clinical skills once trained, such as venepuncture and cannulation
- Offering enhanced support to patients who need closer supervision
- Guiding and supporting junior or less experienced colleagues
If you’re ready to start a career with purpose, one that offers real progression, nationally recognised qualifications and the chance to make a difference every day, we’d love you to join our team.
To be eligible to apply for Nursing apprenticeships, you must meet the university’s academic entry requirements, and the relevant apprenticeship rules.
Person Specification
Experience
Desirable: Previous care experience
Skills
Essential: Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively; Demonstrates the ability to place the patient at the centre of care; Information technology literate.
Education
Essential: Able to evidence a general level of education; Desirable: Care Certificate; QCF level 3 in Health or Health and Social Care; TLevel in Health.
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 details
Employer name: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Craven Road, Reading, RG1 5AN
Employer’s website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/
Healthcare Assistant in Reading employer: Royalberkshire
Contact Detail:
Royalberkshire Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Healthcare Assistant in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust! Research their values and mission, and think about how your passion for helping others aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current Healthcare Assistants or staff at the hospital on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the job. Personal connections can make a big difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions related to patient care and teamwork. Think of examples from your life that showcase your caring nature and communication skills. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Royal Berkshire Hospital.
We think you need these skills to ace Healthcare Assistant in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for helping others shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about starting a career in healthcare and making a difference in people's lives.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your values align with ours. Mention specific qualities like compassion and reliability, as these are key traits we’re looking for in our Healthcare Assistants.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, and don’t forget to proofread for any typos or errors before hitting send!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll find all the information you need to get started on your journey with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royalberkshire
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your own values and how they align with the NHS's core values of compassion, aspiration, resourcefulness, and excellence. Be ready to share examples of how you've demonstrated these values in your life or previous experiences.
✨Show Your Passion for Care
During the interview, express your genuine passion for helping others. Share specific instances where you've gone out of your way to support someone, whether in a personal or professional context. This will show that you have the caring attitude they’re looking for.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle real-life situations in healthcare. Think about how you would respond to various patient needs or emergencies, and practice articulating your thought process clearly and confidently.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the role and the team. This shows your interest in the position and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you. Consider asking about the training opportunities or the types of patients you’ll be working with.
