Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting an Emergency Department Health Care Assistant to join its team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead. The permanent Band 3 post pays £25,760 to £27,476 a year, and applications close at 23:59 on 18 November 2026.

The role is offered on a full-time or part-time basis, working 37.5 hours a week on day and night shifts, seven days a week. The vacancy reference is 297-8383654, and applications are made online through the NHS Trac recruitment system.

What the job involves

The successful applicant will work as a HealthCare Support worker in the Emergency Department, supporting registered nurses and the wider multi-disciplinary team. Duties include carrying out delegated clinical care, recording patient observations and changes in a patient's condition, and helping patients with activities of daily living in hospital.

Patients using the service come from diverse backgrounds and may have mental health needs, a learning disability or dementia. The post holder will help to build safe and effective therapeutic relationships, support individual care plans, and contribute to monitoring, observing and engaging with patients, passing on what they find to the rest of the team.

The role also involves recognising when a patient is deteriorating and escalating concerns, following de-escalation principles where patients are distressed, and keeping accurate electronic records. The Trust says it is looking for caring and compassionate people who can prioritise high-quality, safe patient care and who are hard working, reliable and passionate about making a difference.

Who can apply

Applicants must hold Maths and English qualifications and an NVQ level 3, and must have recent experience of providing direct patient care in an acute NHS hospital setting. A vocational qualification in health and social care, such as a care certificate or a level 2 or 3 diploma, is also essential, along with the right to work in the UK.

The Trust also asks for recent experience of working with people in a healthcare setting with mental illness, learning disability or dementia, effective communication and listening skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Willingness to work shifts, including weekends and nights, and to mentor level 2 healthcare support worker apprentices is part of the role.

Previous experience at Band 3 level, experience in an emergency care setting and venepuncture skills are listed as desirable rather than essential. The post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

About the Trust

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital, community and older people's mental health services from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon Urgent Care Centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead. Its facilities include a £32 million Emergency Care Centre and a £12 million pathology centre of excellence.

Established in 2005, the Trust was one of the first foundation trusts in the country. It employs around 4,500 staff and provides 600 hospital beds across Gateshead, and its latest Care Quality Commission inspection rated it good overall, with outstanding ratings for care and surgical services.

The Trust says staff wellbeing is one of its highest priorities, with support and initiatives run through its Balance programme, and it actively encourages conversations about flexible working. Its five values — innovation, care, openness, respect and engagement — are described as the golden thread running through the organisation.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online through the official NHS Jobs vacancy on the Trac system before the closing date of 18 November 2026. There is no fee to apply, and applicants should read the full advert, job description and person specification before applying.

Informal enquiries can be made to Tracey Jeffrey and Denise Bell, Senior Sisters in Accident and Emergency, on 0191 445 2997. Candidates should check the live advert for the closing time and any updates before submitting an application.