Job summary

Are you a caring individual looking to work in an outstanding rated Trust? Tarrant Ward, based at Blandford Community Hospital are looking for either an experienced or new to care Health Care Assistant to join their team.

As a Health Care Assistant, you will be working alongside a multi-disciplinary team. We have two palliative care suites where we pride ourselves at providing the best care to patients and their families in their last weeks or days of their life. Our Elderly Rehabilitation and End of Life Care unit achieved a nationally recognised accreditation in the Gold Standard Framework award for end-of-life care. We offer a structured induction programme, and you will be given opportunities to support to develop your skills clinically and professionally with exploring our offers such as the Trainee Nursing Apprenticeship & the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship.

The Health Care Assistant post is a full-time role, we would be flexible and accept part time applications with a minimum of 24 hours. We have a variety of flexible family working patterns listed below. Applicants must be available to work days and nights.

Early - 07.30 - 14:00

Late - 14:00 - 20.30

Long Day - 07:30 - 20:30

Nights - 20.00 - 08:00

Weekend and public holidays at enhanced pay!

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Main duties of the job

If you are new to care and hold no experience in healthcare, then we offer a fantastic development opportunity with a structured development plan to progress you from a band 2 to a band 3 Health Care Assistant on successful completion.

Assist registered nursing staff in providing high quality individualised nursing care to a clearly defined group of patients, relatives and carers.

Assist the multi-disciplinary team to aid patients in gaining independence and mobility in preparation for a safe discharge. Participate in providing a range of therapeutic activities for patients.

Staff are our top priority, and we are a learning organisation who believes in investing in our staff to help them develop personally and professionally to reach their full potential.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

17 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year p.a. pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

152-C188.26

Job locations

Blandford Community Hospital, Tarrant ward

Milldown Road

Blandford Forum

DT11 7DB

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do [email protected]

Job description Job responsibilities For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post. We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role. All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application. As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do [email protected]

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

Essential

• Good communication skills
• Able to use a computer to basic standard for inputting information and accessing e-ails and internet.

Knowledge, Skills and Training

Essential

• Ability to develop relationships with patients, carers.

Desirable

• Existing NVQ level 2/3 in Health care

Personal Qualities/Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team
• Willingness to engage in service development.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role Yes effectively.

Person Specification Knowledge, Skills and Training Essential Good communication skills Able to use a computer to basic standard for inputting information and accessing e-ails and internet. Knowledge, Skills and Training Essential Ability to develop relationships with patients, carers. Desirable Existing NVQ level 2/3 in Health care Personal Qualities/Attributes Essential Ability to work as part of a team Willingness to engage in service development. Additional Requirements Essential Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role Yes effectively.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blandford Community Hospital, Tarrant ward

Milldown Road

Blandford Forum

DT11 7DB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blandford Community Hospital, Tarrant ward

Milldown Road

Blandford Forum

DT11 7DB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)