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Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 16 September 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

Job overview

We are looking for a Healthcare Assistant to join our team.

You will be working in a small team of specialist nurses and GI services consultants to provide outpatient care and clinics.

This is a varied role including some assisting consultants in clinics and caring for patients undergoing procedures, running outpatient clinic lists and assisting specialist nurses caring for patients in the GI day unit.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

• To undertake basic nursing activities for patients under the responsibility of a registered nurse.
• To contribute to the provision of support functions for the Day Case Unit and gastroenterology/ colorectal outpatients/ GI Ward
• Participate in the development of self and others.
• Work with the registered nursing staff to maintain a clean, safe and efficient environment for patients and staff
• Assist colorectal and upper GI surgeons in procedural clinics

To be a flexible member of the team working in all areas of the department as and when required covering the units opening hours with the addition of working in outlying areas, including Allerton ward and endoscopy unit.

About us

Why Work With Us

Hutchings is a day unit and outpatient facility that provides care, infusions, procedures and clinical reviews of patients with multiple GI conditions.

Details

Date posted

03 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

388-8122222-PC&S-A

Job locations

Hutchings Ward Torbay

Newton Road

Torquay

TQ2 7AA

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and responsibilities

Communication and working relationships

Provide and receive routine information

Exchange factual information with patients and other team members

Uses tact, persuasion, reassurance and empathy with patients and carers

Able to overcome barriers to communication such as physical or mental health difficulties, learning difficulties, sensory impairments.

• Provide information to enable the effectiveness of care to be evaluated and records maintained.

Record in the relevant documentation the care that has been delivered contemporaneously

• Aware of patients emotional, social and physical needs, reporting back to trained nurse responsible for patients care.
• Participate in team building/communication, and to develop a cohesive, supportive an effective team. To work towards the agreed philosophy and objectives of the ward/department.

Ensure by clear communication a happy atmosphere, and an effective and safe working environment

To be able to work flexibly between day unit, outpatient clinics, GI ward and endoscopy, providing cross-cover as needed to ensure safety is maintained in all areas

Complete and monitor patient clinical observations: ensure own documentation is completed to the unit agreed standard.

Demonstrates own role to junior collegues and assists with the induction of new starters

Analytical and judgement

To contribute to the assessment of patient needs and the evaluation of care programs within the Day Case Unit and outpatients

Instigate emergency procedures as requires, alert registered nurses to the condition of the patients under their care

Report any incidents, accidents or complaints to the nurse in charge of the ward, in accordance with Trust policy.

To undertake an active role in training student nurses and other healthcare assistants on the unit.

Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.

To be aware of and abide by Trust approved policies, i.e. child protection, infection control, standards and quality initiatives.

Planning and organisation

To undertake skilled nursing activities for which training and competency assessment has been undertaken (dressings, drain removal, cannulation, cannula removal, Ng tube insertion/ removal, Blood sugar and INR recording)

Organises own workload and plans own work activities

Ensures the smooth running of the clinics assigned to them

Awareness of stock required for clinic and day unit and orders via stock control as required

Physical skills

Manual dexterity to undertake skills such as venepuncture, cannulation, dressings

Ability to manoeuvre and handle clients and equipment in line with manual handling procedures

Patient and client care

To provide patient care as directed by an RGN an in accordance with the specifications of each patients care needs.

Ability to work, without direct supervision, to safe standards without jeopardizing the care of patients or compromising the health of colleagues

Undertakes clinical observations of patients and reports abnormalities back to Registered nurses (ie blood pressure, pulse, blood glucose monitoring, INR monitoring). Records and documents all observations.

Undertake simple wound dressings, acts on own initiative in line with training and experience

Implement clinical care/ care packages

Undertakes a limited range of delegated clinical care duties relevant to the services provided (ie removal of drains, venepuncture, cannulation, Ng tube insertion, venesection)

Responsible for the daily safety checks of Day Unit equipment

Preparation and cleaning of equipment e.g. patient trolleys

Undertake short courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties

Completion of a competency based workbook or equivalent to vocational qualification level 3

Policy and service development

To have an understanding of infection control safe working practice in accordance to Trust policies and procedures

Ensure compliance with policies procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others

Participates in discussions on proposed changes to procedures

To liaise with ward clerk/clerical staff regarding patients ad hoc appointments.

To be involved with discussions about improvements and changes within the team

Participate in patient and public involvement activities

To maintain the highest level of confidentiality at all times, to have knowledge of the confidential nature of duties including access to patients notes and medical reports: attend the Trust confidentiality training as directed by manager.

To participate in IPR programme and attend annual review

Take responsibility for personal development and education. Maintain professional expertise by attending study days and in service training, i.e. fire safety; manual handling, and NVQ level III or equivalent (Care)as directed by manager.

Finance, equipment and other resources

To contribute in controlling the use of resources within the budgetary limits

Liaise with stock control in order to maintain adequate levels of stock for service delivery

• Checking and reporting to works department and Ward Leader on environmental conditions, i.e. heating, lighting, and general maintenance.

People management and training

To provide patient care as directed by an RGN an in accordance with the specifications of each patients care needs.

Ability to work, without direct supervision, to safe standards without jeopardizing the care of patients or compromising the health of colleagues

Undertakes clinical observations of patients and reports abnormalities back to Registered nurses (ie blood pressure, pulse, blood glucose monitoring, INR monitoring). Records and documents all observations.

Observes patients for signs of pain or distress following procedures undertaken on the unit/ward

Undertake simple wound dressings, acts on own initiative in line with training and experience

Information technology and administrative duties

Assisting in entering data on computer systems

Attend mandatory training and relevant study days to develop own knowledge and skills.

Up date patient IT systems in the absence of the ward clerk

Use IT effectively on a daily basis in order to enhance patient care (PAS, Infoflex, Cyberlab, ordercoms, datix)

Research and development

Undertake and assist with audits as part of everyday workload

Assist with patient feedback in the form of giving out patient feedback forms

Assist the research and development team with GI research by undertaking venepuncture on selected patients and liaising with the team re: patient appointments

Freedom to act

To undertake basic nursing activities for patients under the responsibility of a registered nurse.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and responsibilities

Communication and working relationships

Provide and receive routine information

Exchange factual information with patients and other team members

Uses tact, persuasion, reassurance and empathy with patients and carers

Able to overcome barriers to communication such as physical or mental health difficulties, learning difficulties, sensory impairments.

• Provide information to enable the effectiveness of care to be evaluated and records maintained.

Record in the relevant documentation the care that has been delivered contemporaneously

• Aware of patients emotional, social and physical needs, reporting back to trained nurse responsible for patients care.
• Participate in team building/communication, and to develop a cohesive, supportive an effective team. To work towards the agreed philosophy and objectives of the ward/department.

Ensure by clear communication a happy atmosphere, and an effective and safe working environment

To be able to work flexibly between day unit, outpatient clinics, GI ward and endoscopy, providing cross-cover as needed to ensure safety is maintained in all areas

Complete and monitor patient clinical observations: ensure own documentation is completed to the unit agreed standard.

Demonstrates own role to junior collegues and assists with the induction of new starters

Analytical and judgement

To contribute to the assessment of patient needs and the evaluation of care programs within the Day Case Unit and outpatients

Instigate emergency procedures as requires, alert registered nurses to the condition of the patients under their care

Report any incidents, accidents or complaints to the nurse in charge of the ward, in accordance with Trust policy.

To undertake an active role in training student nurses and other healthcare assistants on the unit.

Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.

To be aware of and abide by Trust approved policies, i.e. child protection, infection control, standards and quality initiatives.

Planning and organisation

To undertake skilled nursing activities for which training and competency assessment has been undertaken (dressings, drain removal, cannulation, cannula removal, Ng tube insertion/ removal, Blood sugar and INR recording)

Organises own workload and plans own work activities

Ensures the smooth running of the clinics assigned to them

Awareness of stock required for clinic and day unit and orders via stock control as required

Physical skills

Manual dexterity to undertake skills such as venepuncture, cannulation, dressings

Ability to manoeuvre and handle clients and equipment in line with manual handling procedures

Patient and client care

To provide patient care as directed by an RGN an in accordance with the specifications of each patients care needs.

Ability to work, without direct supervision, to safe standards without jeopardizing the care of patients or compromising the health of colleagues

Undertakes clinical observations of patients and reports abnormalities back to Registered nurses (ie blood pressure, pulse, blood glucose monitoring, INR monitoring). Records and documents all observations.

Undertake simple wound dressings, acts on own initiative in line with training and experience

Implement clinical care/ care packages

Undertakes a limited range of delegated clinical care duties relevant to the services provided (ie removal of drains, venepuncture, cannulation, Ng tube insertion, venesection)

Responsible for the daily safety checks of Day Unit equipment

Preparation and cleaning of equipment e.g. patient trolleys

Undertake short courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties

Completion of a competency based workbook or equivalent to vocational qualification level 3

Policy and service development

To have an understanding of infection control safe working practice in accordance to Trust policies and procedures

Ensure compliance with policies procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others

Participates in discussions on proposed changes to procedures

To liaise with ward clerk/clerical staff regarding patients ad hoc appointments.

To be involved with discussions about improvements and changes within the team

Participate in patient and public involvement activities

To maintain the highest level of confidentiality at all times, to have knowledge of the confidential nature of duties including access to patients notes and medical reports: attend the Trust confidentiality training as directed by manager.

To participate in IPR programme and attend annual review

Take responsibility for personal development and education. Maintain professional expertise by attending study days and in service training, i.e. fire safety; manual handling, and NVQ level III or equivalent (Care)as directed by manager.

Finance, equipment and other resources

To contribute in controlling the use of resources within the budgetary limits

Liaise with stock control in order to maintain adequate levels of stock for service delivery

• Checking and reporting to works department and Ward Leader on environmental conditions, i.e. heating, lighting, and general maintenance.

People management and training

To provide patient care as directed by an RGN an in accordance with the specifications of each patients care needs.

Ability to work, without direct supervision, to safe standards without jeopardizing the care of patients or compromising the health of colleagues

Undertakes clinical observations of patients and reports abnormalities back to Registered nurses (ie blood pressure, pulse, blood glucose monitoring, INR monitoring). Records and documents all observations.

Observes patients for signs of pain or distress following procedures undertaken on the unit/ward

Undertake simple wound dressings, acts on own initiative in line with training and experience

Information technology and administrative duties

Assisting in entering data on computer systems

Attend mandatory training and relevant study days to develop own knowledge and skills.

Up date patient IT systems in the absence of the ward clerk

Use IT effectively on a daily basis in order to enhance patient care (PAS, Infoflex, Cyberlab, ordercoms, datix)

Research and development

Undertake and assist with audits as part of everyday workload

Assist with patient feedback in the form of giving out patient feedback forms

Assist the research and development team with GI research by undertaking venepuncture on selected patients and liaising with the team re: patient appointments

Freedom to act

To undertake basic nursing activities for patients under the responsibility of a registered nurse.

Person Specification

assessed

Essential

• NVQ 3 or equivalent
• Care experience
• IT skills

Desirable

• Band 3 experience in acute care
• Gastro nursing experience
• venepuncture

Person Specification

assessed

Essential

• NVQ 3 or equivalent
• Care experience
• IT skills

Desirable

• Band 3 experience in acute care
• Gastro nursing experience
• venepuncture

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to 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 dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to 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 dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Hutchings Ward Torbay

Newton Road

Torquay

TQ2 7AA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Hutchings Ward Torbay

Newton Road

Torquay

TQ2 7AA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Sister

Rachel Beeny/ Rebecca Herterich

[email protected]

01803656609

Details

Date posted

03 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

388-8122222-PC&S-A

Job locations

Hutchings Ward Torbay

Newton Road

Torquay

TQ2 7AA

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

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Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

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