Health Care Assistant

Role overview

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is looking for an energetic and compassionate Band 3 Health Care Assistant to join the welcoming team at the Princess Anne Day Surgery and Endoscopy Unit in Stroud Hospital. This is a varied position that gives you exposure to day surgery, theatres, endoscopy, and decontamination, allowing you to build a broad range of practical skills within one department.

You will work closely with nurses, ODPs, endoscopists, surgeons, anaesthetists, and other members of the multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, high-quality care in a busy, fast-moving clinical setting. The role involves helping patients before and after procedures, carrying out clinical tasks after training and competency sign-off, and contributing to a clean, safe, and supportive environment for patients and visitors.

This opportunity is well suited to an experienced Health Care Assistant who values variety, enjoys learning new skills, and works well in a close team. Previous experience in surgical, theatre, or endoscopy settings would be helpful, although it is not essential because full training and ongoing support will be given.

Key responsibilities

• Support patients before, during, and after surgical and endoscopy procedures.
• Carry out observations and escalate any concerns appropriately.
• Help move, position, and transfer patients safely.
• Prepare clinical spaces, equipment, and patient care areas.
• Assist with the safe handling, cleaning, and decontamination of endoscopy equipment in line with local procedures.
• Keep patient documentation and records accurate and up to date.
• Support infection prevention measures, health and safety practices, and quality improvement work.
• Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to provide excellent care.

Requirements

• Background as a Health Care Assistant, ideally with some experience in a surgical, theatre, or endoscopy environment.
• Willingness to learn new clinical skills and work across multiple service areas.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong focus on safe, respectful, and compassionate patient care.
• Ability to complete tasks following training and competency assessment.

Additional information

The Trust employs more than 5,000 colleagues across over 55 sites and in people’s homes. It aims to create a workplace where civility, inclusion, diversity, belonging, and trust are actively encouraged and valued.

Recent staff survey results showed that 72% of colleagues would recommend the Trust as a place to work, 76% would recommend the standard of care provided, and 81% said that patient and service user care is the Trust’s priority. These results placed the Trust first among provider trusts in the South West region for those measures mentioned. The organisation also noted that it continues to invest in improvement so it can become a consistently great place to work.

For an informal discussion, contact Sev Vincent, Theatre Endoscopy and Day Surgery Manager, by email at severine.vincent@ghc.nhs.uk or by phone on 0300 421 8944.