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Job summary

Main area
Medicine/Surgery
Grade
Band 2
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (Various Hours)
Job ref
264-7551030-COR
Employer
Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
Town
Kettering
Salary
£24,465 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
26/11/2025 23:59
Interview date
29/11/2025

Employer heading

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

New to Care Healthcare Assistant

Band 2

Job overview

Looking to start a new career in healthcare which will include an 18 month Level 3 apprenticeship as part of the role?
Apply now to attend our next Healthcare Assistant (HCA) Assessment Centre!

Are you passionate about helping others and ready to take your first step into a rewarding career within the NHS?
We’re excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for individuals of all ages to join us as New to Care Healthcare Assistants.

This is an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to begin their journey in healthcare. You’ll gain valuable experience working alongside a supportive and experienced team, developing new skills and knowledge every day. 

To apply, you’ll need GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English at grade C / level 4 or above.
This role could also be the first step towards achieving a nursing registration if that’s your long-term goal.

If you share our passion for delivering outstanding care to patients and their families — and want to be part of a team that consistently strives for excellence — we’d love to hear from you.

We’re looking for enthusiastic, motivated individuals with a genuine desire to learn, grow, and make a difference.

Please note: This post is not eligible for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an in-person assessment centre — virtual attendance is not available.

Main duties of the job

Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital are offering a number of exciting opportunities for individuals who are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives.

We are looking for individuals who can demonstrate a strong commitment to learning, a caring and compassionate approach, and the ability to communicate effectively — both verbally and in writing. Professionalism, empathy, and a genuine desire to support others are essential qualities for success in this role.

As part of your role, you will learn how to:

  • Support individuals with their daily living activities, including eating and drinking, personal care, and mobility — while promoting independence and dignity.

  • Assist with personal hygiene, helping individuals to maintain comfort and confidence.

  • Contribute to the safe movement and handling of people, using appropriate equipment to ensure safety and wellbeing at all times.

  • Carry out basic clinical observations, including temperature, height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, urinary output, breathing rate, oxygen saturation, and blood sugar levels.

  • Provide compassionate care and support to individuals at the end of life due to life-limiting conditions.

  • Promote physical independence, mental health, and wellbeing, offering brief health advice in line with the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) principles

Working for our organisation

Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close adverts once we have received sufficient applications

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is on an exciting journey with all of our divisions committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN). As part of this collaborative approach, there may be a requirement for you to work across both the Kettering and Northampton hospital sites, depending on the needs of the service.

Our Excellence Values

  • Compassion
  • Accountability
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across UHN and help to unleash everyone's full potential. 

UHN encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups.  We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. 

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for UHN.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the Shortlisting Criteria section of the document.

Person specification

Education, Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care
  • Maths and English at grade C / level 4 or above.
Desirable criteria
  • NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria
  • Ability to overcome communication barriers
  • Experience of working as part of a team
Desirable criteria
  • One year experience as a healthcare assistant experience in Hospital care setting.
  • Surgical experience and knowledge of anatomy

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.National Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark

Applicant requirements

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rebecca Bell
Job title
Group Deputy Head of People Planning
Email address
[email protected]
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