Healthcare Assistant – Sunderland Identification and Support Service
Salary: Marie Curie Clinical Pay Scale, aligned with AFC Band 2 – £25,272 annum (£12.92 per hour) pro rata
Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours) and Part Time (22.5 hours) available
Contract: Permanent
Location: Broadway Medical Centre, Springwell Health Centre, Springwell Road, Sunderland, SR3 4HG
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
Closing Date: 9 August 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join our newly established Sunderland Identification and Support Service and make a meaningful difference to people who may be approaching the last year of life.
Working within Primary Care and partnered GP practices across Sunderland, you will support the identification and engagement of patients who are likely to be in their final year of life but who may not yet have been recognised as requiring palliative care support.
As one of the first points of contact for patients and their families, you will provide compassionate support, help facilitate advance care planning conversations, and signpost individuals to the services and resources available within their local community.
Working closely with and under the supervision of the Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will support patients who have recently been identified as having palliative care needs, ensuring they receive timely information, guidance and access to appropriate services.
The role will include:
- Making first contact with patients and families following identification
- Arranging follow-up support and maintaining regular communication
- Supporting advance care planning discussions
- Signposting patients to hospice, voluntary sector and community-based services
- Visiting patients in their own homes where appropriate
- Promoting awareness of advance care planning within local community hubs and organisations
- Providing information and education to members of the public and partner organisations
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a new service that aims to improve early identification and support for people living with life-limiting illness, helping them access the care they need sooner.
About You
We are looking for a caring, compassionate and motivated Healthcare Assistant who is passionate about supporting people with palliative and end of life care needs.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- S/NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, or an equivalent health and social care certificate or diploma
- Relevant experience supporting people with life-limiting illness, palliative care needs, or complex health conditions within community or healthcare settings
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to engage in sensitive and sometimes challenging conversations
- The ability to build trusting relationships with patients, families and healthcare professionals
- Emotional resilience and the confidence to work independently while knowing when to seek support
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload
- A compassionate, person-centred approach to care
- A full UK driving licence, access to a vehicle and business-use insurance
What You’ll Gain
At Marie Curie, we are committed to supporting our people to thrive professionally and personally through a range of excellent benefits, including:
- 27 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays (pro rata)
- Competitive family-friendly and sick pay policies
- Industry-leading learning and training programmes
- Defined contribution pension schemes
- Season Ticket Loan scheme
- Cycle, computer and satellite navigation loan schemes
- Introduce a Friend scheme
- Support with eye care costs
- Blue Light Card entitlement
- Life assurance cover
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