About this role
Job summary
Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference to people at the end of life? Join Marie Curie as a Healthcare Assistant in our Sunderland Identification and Support Service and be part of a compassionate team providing vital care and support when it matters most. This is a rewarding opportunity to use your skills, empathy and dedication to help patients and their families feel supported, understood and cared for.
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to join Sunderlands new Identification and Support Service, supporting people who may be in their final year of life to access timely palliative care. Working with Primary Care, GP practices and under the supervision of a Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will provide compassionate first contact, support advance care planning, signpost to local services, and help patients and families receive the right guidance and support sooner.
About us
Marie Curie is the UK's leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering palliative and end of life care and support across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they're likely to die from.
Job description Job responsibilities
Join Marie Curie and help shape a new service that will make a real difference to people approaching the end of life.
Healthcare Assistant - Sunderland Identification and Support Service
Salary: Marie Curie Clinical Pay Scale, aligned with AFC Band 2 £25,272 annum (£12.92 per hour) pro rata
Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours) and Part Time (22.5 hours) available
Contract:Permanent
Location: Broadway Medical Centre, Springwell Health Centre, Springwell Road, Sunderland, SR3 4HG
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
Closing Date: 9 August 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join our newly established Sunderland Identification and Support Service and make a meaningful difference to people who may be approaching the last year of life.
Working within Primary Care and partnered GP practices across Sunderland, you will support the identification and engagement of patients who are likely to be in their final year of life but who may not yet have been recognised as requiring palliative care support.
As one of the first points of contact for patients and their families, you will provide compassionate support, help facilitate advance care planning conversations, and signpost individuals to the services and resources available within their local community.
Working closely with and under the supervision of the Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will support patients who have recently been identified as having palliative care needs, ensuring they receive timely information, guidance and access to appropriate services.
The role will include:
Making first contact with patients and families following identification Arranging follow-up support and maintaining regular communication Supporting advance care planning discussions Signposting patients to hospice, voluntary sector and community-based services Visiting patients in their own homes where appropriate Promoting awareness of advance care planning within local community hubs and organisations Providing information and education to members of the public and partner organisationsThis is a unique opportunity to be part of a new service that aims to improve early identification and support for people living with life-limiting illness, helping them access the care they need sooner.
About You
We are looking for a caring, compassionate and motivated Healthcare Assistant who is passionate about supporting people with palliative and end of life care needs.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
S/NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, or an equivalent health and social care certificate or diploma Relevant experience supporting people with life-limiting illness, palliative care needs, or complex health conditions within community or healthcare settings Excellent communication skills and the confidence to engage in sensitive and sometimes challenging conversations The ability to build trusting relationships with patients, families and healthcare professionals Emotional resilience and the confidence to work independently while knowing when to seek support Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload A compassionate, person-centred approach to care A full UK driving licence, access to a vehicle and business-use insuranceWhat You'll Gain
At Marie Curie, we are committed to supporting our people to thrive professionally and personally through a range of excellent benefits, including:
27 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays (pro rata) Competitive family-friendly and sick pay policies Ongoing professional development opportunities Industry-leading learning and training programmes Defined contribution pension schemes Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme Season Ticket Loan scheme Cycle, computer and satellite navigation loan schemes Introduce a Friend scheme Support with eye care costs Blue Light Card entitlement Benefit Hub employee discount scheme 15% staff discount in all Marie Curie shops Life assurance coverHow to Apply
To apply, please upload your most recent CV and demonstrate how you meet the person specification, along with why you would like to work for Marie Curie.
Additional Information
At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone staff and volunteers alike supportive, inclusive and rewarding. We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings. We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.
We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us at [email protected].
Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you your experience, perspective and voice.
This role will be subject to receiving an enhanced DBS criminal record check.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Agencies need not apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
S/NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, or an equivalent health and social care certificate or diploma
Desirable
Relevant experience supporting people with life-limiting illness, palliative care needs, or complex health conditions within community or healthcare settings
Experience Essential
Excellent communication skills and the confidence to engage in sensitive and sometimes challenging conversations
Desirable
The ability to build trusting relationships with patients, families and healthcare professionals
Additional criteria Essential
Emotional resilience and the confidence to work independently while knowing when to seek support
Desirable
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload
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 details Employer name Marie Curie
Address Broadway Medical Centre, Springwell Health Centre
Springwell Road
Sunderland
North East
SR3 4HG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)