About this role
Job summary
Caterham Dene Community Hospital is a 28 bedded Intermediate Care Ward providing care, physical rehabilitation and discharge planning for mainly older and frail adults following an episode of illness or injury.
Our Health Care Assistants play a vital role in ensuring that our client group receive the highest standards of care and rehabilitation.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, kind and compassionate Health Care Assistant to join our friendly, dynamic, and caring multidisciplinary team to work rotational days and nights.
We offer a full and comprehensive induction and training, including the Care Certificate and a full programme of statutory and mandatory training to support your role.
Main duties of the job
Providing care and support to patients with all aspects of their physical care and psychological wellbeing.
To assist patients with all aspects of their personal care including helping with eating and drinking, hygiene needs including washing, showering, mouth care, dressing, continence, including catheter care. We aim to encourage and enable patients to be as independent with these tasks as possible.To assist with mobility including hoisting, positioning, and assisting with mobility aids. Undertaking physical observations including monitoring vital signs, ECGs, phlebotomy, blood glucose monitoring, skin, and wound management. Nutrition and hydration management and concise documentation.Communicating effectively with patients, their relatives, and carers, visitors, and the multidisciplinary team.Keeping accurate records of all patient care.Maintaining a safe, clean environment for patients, visitors, and staff.Participating in audit and quality improvement.
About us
First Community is a staff-owned social enterprise, rated Good by the CQC, providing NHS community services across east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We are looking for people who share our values: First-rate care, First-rate people, First-rate value.
Recognised as one of the country's leading community healthcare employers in the 2025 NHS Staff Survey, First Community offers a supportive workplace where everyone has a voice and opportunities to develop their full potential.
We offer: NHS terms and conditions, excellent training and development, flexible working, NHS pension, flexible retirement options, and a range of employee benefits.
If you need flexibility, please talk to us when you apply or at interview. We will consider all requests carefully and accommodate them where possible, depending on the role.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, and candidates with disabilities. We are committed to fair recruitment, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments.
Sustainability is central to our work as we support the NHS Net Zero ambition.
To stay safe online, only use our website to find and apply for jobs, and only trust recruitment communications from our published contact details. Any job advert, recruitment communication or offer can be verified through the contact details on our website.
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
Deliver care under the general supervision and direction of registered staff, acting independently within own competencies and limitations of the job role.Undertake aspects of patient care, including monitoring the patients condition, in support of registered staff ensuring the highest standard of patient care.Recognise, review, and report any change in the patients condition, including any action taken, to appropriately registered senior members of the team.Promote high standards of care and contribute to the development of junior, less experienced or new members of staff and participate in ward-based induction and orientation programmes promoting the delivery of high-quality care.
When completing your application please refer to both the Application Guide and full Job Description & Person Specification - these can be found under supporting documents.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Minimum of 2 years of experience working as a Health Care Assistant in a health care setting. Experience of working as part of a team.
Qualifications Essential
NVQ Level 3 or able to demonstrate equivalent level of knowledge gained through experience and training/development or willing to work towards. Good standard of general education including English Language & Maths GCSE or equivalent.
Desirable
Evidence of having met the National Care Certificate.
Other Essential
Well Presented. Enthusiastic. Flexible. Reliable.
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of care and related procedures. Understanding of factors that influence health and wellbeing. Understanding of privacy and dignity in care. Understanding of the role of a Health Care Assistant.
Desirable
Understanding of physical rehabilitation. Understanding of current issues affecting the NHS.
Skills Essential
Understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Health Care Assistant. Ability to engage in effective working relationships with both patients, their relatives, carers and colleagues. Good customer care skills. Good communication and relationship skills. Good verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills. Ability to support, develop and provide feedback to colleagues. Computer literate and willingness to work with electronic health systems. Compassionate and caring.
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 First Community Health and Care
Address The Caterham Dene Hospital
Church Road
Caterham
Surrey
CR3 5RA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)