Healthcare Assistant

Employer Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Countess of Chester Hospital / Ellesmere Port Hospital Town Chester Salary £24,937 – £26,598 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 03/12/2025 23:59 Interview date 11/12/2025

Band 3

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work‑life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

Job overview

Are you looking to join Team Countess as a Health Care Support worker?

We are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic individuals who want to help Team Countess provide Safe, Kind and effective care to join us.

I have an NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care, or I have the equivalent experience in the health care role?

If you have an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or hold the equivalent experience required, subject to a successful interview and pre‑employment checks you can join our band 3 workforce. The equivalent experience will be 2‑year NHS substantive employment, or a member of our Countess of Chester Bank Team within a health care assistant role, or 3 years’ experience in another health care setting, caring for equivalent patients.

Do not have an NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care, or have none / not enough equivalent experience in the health care role?

Subject to eligibility, we can commence you on the NVQ level 3 in Health and Social care in collaboration with Cheshire College, all classes will be held on site too, over a 24‑month period. This route, will pay 75% of our Band 3 wage, or National Living Wage, whichever is higher.

If you are not eligible for the course, we can offer our Health Care Assistant training post. This is a 24‑month in‑house training programme for your role; you will be offered in‑house and on the ward training whilst completing the Care Certificate. This route will pay 75% of our Band 3 wage, or National Living Wage.

Main duties of the job

The right candidate will be provided with a 7 day Healthcare Assistant Induction, introducing you to the Trust and ensuring that you settle into your new role.

Successful candidates will be provided with resources and guidance to ensure completion of the national mandatory Care Certificate within 6 months of appointment.

Please see attached the Job Description for full list of duties & responsibilities for this role.

Working for our organisation

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Trust employs over 5916 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000. This includes 361,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification (e.g. A‑Level’s, NVQ3) in Health & Social Care OR equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Completion of the Care Certificate within specified timeframe on commencing employment with the Trust.
• In‑depth understanding of the healthcare support worker role.

Skills And Experience

• Experience of working in a clinical environment and undertaking a range of relevant clinical skills with proven competencies.
• Experience working in the NHS.
• Knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities of a health care support worker.
• Can demonstrate an understanding of the importance of promoting patient independence.
• Additional clinical duties and activities as defined by the area of work under the delegation of the registered nurse.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.

The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

Overseas Candidates

The Department of Health and Social Care has released a new publication to support overseas candidates looking to work in health and care in the UK.
The new guidance provides information on the recruitment process that candidates should expect when applying for work in the UK. Please follow the below link:
Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Overseas candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a CoS for the post by assessing their circumstances against criteria specified on the Visas and immigration – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.

From 6 April 2017, Tier 2 / skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependent\’s (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.