Healthcare Assistant

Job summary

The Darwin Centre for Young People is a Tier 4 adolescent inpatient unit based in Cambridge.

The unit offers assessment and treatment to young people, aged 13-17 (until 18th birthday), experiencing psychiatric, emotional or psychological problems that interfere with their social, interpersonal and educational functioning.

Main duties of the job

• To work in support of qualified nurses and other health care professionals Carries out assigned tasks involving direct care in support of, and supervised by, a registered nurse/Occupational Therapist.
• Will be involved in the delivery and coordination of ward activities.
• Will work a 24 hour rotational shift pattern
• The job includes listening and talking to patients/relatives/carers, observing patients behaviour, providing close observation to ensure patient safety (one to one), encouraging them with eating, drinking, personal hygiene. Involving them in diversional activities, escorting patients out of the unit, dealing with anger (explanations, negotiation and de-escalation), assisting in the management of violent episodes, helping in the administration of medication.

About us

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.

Our clinical teams deliver a wide range of NHS services across inpatient, primary care and community settings, including children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, and research and development.

To achieve our goals, we recruit high calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities' employer, we welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly underrepresented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.

All appointments for new employees to CPFT are subject to the successful completion of a probationary period.

Please note we reserve the right to close adverts early should we receive sufficient applications.

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all roles. If you apply for a post that does not attract sponsorship, your application will be withdrawn from the process.

For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at https://www.cpft.nhs.uk

Details

• Date posted: 13 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
• Reference number: 310-CYPF-8032148-A
• Job locations: The Darwin Centre for Young People, Ida Darwin Hospital, Cambridge, CB21 5EE, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities

• The post holder will communicate with a range of professional staff, patients, carers and relatives and external agencies as appropriate.
• The Health Care Assistant is a member of the clinical team and plays a contributory role in facilitating the health and well-being of the patients which may include: Recognising the individuality of the patient and help to meet his or her social, emotional and intellectual needs.
• Will be involved in the delivery and coordination of ward activities
• Ensuring that basic physical needs are met, such as adequate diet, hygiene, warmth, comfort and safety.
• Assisting in planned treatments in accordance with the multi-disciplinary team approach.
• Providing and receiving routine information to assist in undertaking own job.
• Health Care and Activity duties required to be undertaken under the direction and/or supervision of a qualified nurse/Occupational Therapist in line with care plans.
• Performing procedures only after instruction.
• Developing communication skills with patients/carers and relatives.
• Maintaining open communication with staff and other professionals.
• Encouraging and assisting patients to participate in group and individual therapeutic activities.

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).