Overview
Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Role
Dialysis Assistant
The closing date is 08 October 2025
This role is a band 3 role until all training and competency-based assessments are completed alongside the relevant qualification moving to a band 4. The successful candidate will be working alongside the Home Therapies team based at Sunderland Royal Hospital as part of the Renal Outpatient Team. You will work alongside experienced renal staff to provide safe, effective care for our patients.
We are looking to recruit a dynamic and forward-thinking Home Dialysis Assistant to work as part of this team. Renal experience is desirable but not essential for this role. This role is a lone working role and consists of driving to the patient\s home and back to base which can be Durham/Sunderland (depending on location of patients).
The successful candidate will be trained in all aspects of the role with competency-based assessments and mentoring.
For further enquires related to this post please contact Catherine Alderson and Laura Thompson.
Call 0191 5656256 Ext. 47295
Or email catherine.alderson@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
Renal Home Therapies Health Care Assistant provide dialysis care to patients at home.
The successful candidate will provide nursing care and support to patients, and deliver prescribed haemodialysis treatments.
The role mainly consists of attending the patient\s home and preparing their peritoneal dialysis machine, connecting and disconnecting them from their equipment. The HCA will be involved in training and educating the patient about their peritoneal dialysis treatment. The role will require Phlebotomy skills; training can be given. Haemodialysis training will be provided as staff will need to support patients dialysing at home; this will consist of working on one of the dialysis units.
This role involves training/educating patients on how to perform their own treatment and prevent infection, alongside performing tests to ensure treatment is working.
The role consists of moving dialysis stock, disposing of used stock, keeping the patient\s stock tidy, and involves ordering PD dialysis consumables and stock control within the patient\s home and in the department.
Current valid UK driving licence. Pooled work cars for employer to use while on shift to carry out duties. Ability to work as a lone worker as well as part of a team.
This is a 7-day week service; early and late shift patterns run between 07:30–20:30, 365 days a year working across site and community.
About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust – There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award-winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforce\s health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,600 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job description for full details
To assist the registered practitioner in providing high quality, compassionate care and assistance to patients/relatives and their carers appropriate to their needs in the community, satellite units & SRH without direct supervision.
Responsible for carrying out tasks as delegated by the registered practitioner who has overall accountability for delegating care.
To comply with the Trust\s vision, values and behavioural compact.
Work within South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust policies, procedures & guidelines to ensure high clinical standards.
Meeting the patient\s needs whilst maintaining dignity, safety & privacy.
Support colleagues, patients, and their family members to carry out dialysis duties to ensure safe delivery of treatment and care.
Assist the clinical team with training of new/inexperienced staff, patients, their family members & ward staff.
Support with any troubleshooting required with the Dialysis therapy and the machines.
Train patients, family members and team members how to troubleshoot.
Person Specification
Skills & Knowledge
* Haemodialysis training Chronic and Acute.
* Peritoneal Dialysis training.
* Pet and Adequacy skills.
* Ability to undertake basic observations.
* Ability to prioritise tasks.
* Ability to communicate health related information in an understandable way to patients and colleagues, adapting communication style to meet the needs of the recipient.
* Ability to communicate messages and instructions accurately to colleagues, both verbally and in writing.
* Basic skills of empathy and reassurance.
* Basic keyboard skills.
* Ability to use basic email system and document clearly, using plain English.
* Basic understanding of health and safety requirements in a patient home environment.
* General understanding of confidentiality.
* Be able to evaluate and escalate concerns/requirements in a health care setting.
* Be able to relate advice to patients.
* Ability to work alone.
* Prioritise patient care using your own initiative.
* Willing to undertake further training related to role.
* Willing to complete Competency Based Assessments and a Portfolio of evidence, in order to achieve the Care Certificate.
* Current Renal knowledge and experience.
Physical Skills
* Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
* Ability to move stock and rotate in date order.
* Clean Full UK driving license.
* Ability to work shift variety patterns.
* Route planning.
Qualifications
* Maths and English at level 2 or above (GCSE A-G or equivalent).
* NVQ Level 3 or committed to completing a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker qualification on commencement of post.
* Intermediate Life Support.
Experience
* Minimum of 6 months experience of working in a care setting as a paid carer.
* Experience of working in a renal setting.
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 name
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
£24,937 to £30,162 a year Band 3 to Band 4
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