Posting date: | 09 September 2025 |
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Salary: | £24,071.00 to £25,674.00 per year |
Additional salary information: | £24071.00 – £25674.00 a year |
Hours: | Full time |
Closing date: | 23 September 2025 |
Location: | Helston, TR12 7RH |
Company: | NHS Jobs |
Job type: | Permanent |
Job reference: | K0003-25-0421 |
Health Care Assistant Job Summary
Are you a Band 3 Healthcare Assistant looking for an exciting role, working alongside the military, which offers numerous benefits and opportunities? If the answer is yes, then we are looking to appoint a professional and patient focused individual with a strong commitment to providing a high quality service to work within our friendly and welcoming team at the RNAS Culdrose, Helston.
The vacant Health Care Assistant is full time working 37.5 hours per week. Requests to work flexibly and/or part time will be considered, taking into account business needs.
Could this be the role for you? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
Health Care Assistant Benefits
- Access to learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- NHS Pension
- Free parking
- Access to Gym
Health Care Assistant Main Duties
To support the clinical and administrative staff of Medical Facility (MTF) Culdrose in providing a Primary Healthcare Service to entitled personnel. Clinical work will be delegated by senior clinicians and in relation to administrative work this can be delegated by the SNO or by in the practice manager in their absence. Care is carried out within the medical treatment facility. On occasion there may be requirement to support Royal Air Force (RAF) St Mawgan as part of the group practice,
The role supports the strategy and mission statement for Defence Primary Health Care (DPHC) to ensure optimum health and well-being for patients and maximum deployability. Accountability and responsibility to DPHC and Ministry of Defence (MoD) policy, is a requirement of the post.
About us
Our success depends on our people our Whole Force regular and reservist military, civil servants and contractors, all working as one, working together seamlessly to deliver for us.
Our civil servants are a central part of this Whole Force, developing strategy, making policy, supporting ministerial decision-making and Parliamentary processes. In fact, with over 2,000 different roles working across 650 sites around the world, now really is an excellent time to join one of the largest, most exciting departments in government.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to attracting and retaining people from across the full range of backgrounds and enabling flexible ways of working as the norm. We offer maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks of statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay.
In return, you can expect a department that helps you learn and develop that recognises your expertise and contribution, both as an individual and part of a team.
If youve ever wanted to do more, see more, go further or be better, we have roles in more professions and vocations than ever before. Let’s see where your future will take you, together.
Latest Interview Questions for Healthcare Assistant Roles (2025 Edition)
General and Behavioral Healthcare Assistant Questions
- Tell me about yourself and your background in healthcare.
Why it’s asked: To gauge your fit and passion for the role.
Sample Answer: “I’ve spent the last three years as a Healthcare Assistant in a community clinic, where I assisted with daily patient care, vital signs monitoring, and emotional support for elderly clients. My background in nursing studies has fueled my passion for helping others achieve better health outcomes, and I’m excited about bringing my empathy and organizational skills to your team.” - What inspired you to become a Healthcare Assistant?
Why it’s asked: To assess motivation and long-term commitment.
Sample Answer: “I was inspired by caring for my grandmother during her recovery from surgery. Seeing how small acts of support improved her quality of life motivated me to pursue a career where I can make a tangible difference in patients’ daily lives.” - Describe a time you dealt with a difficult patient or family member.
Why it’s asked: To evaluate conflict resolution and empathy.
Sample Answer: “In my previous role, a patient refused medication due to anxiety. I listened actively to their concerns, explained the benefits in simple terms, and involved a supervisor for reassurance. This built trust, and they eventually complied, teaching me the value of patience and clear communication.” - How do you prioritize tasks during a busy shift?
Why it’s asked: To test time management in high-pressure environments.
Sample Answer: “I use a triage approach: urgent patient needs like mobility assistance come first, followed by routine tasks like documentation. In one shift, I balanced multiple admissions by delegating non-clinical duties to colleagues while ensuring all vitals were checked within protocol timelines.” - What is the most challenging part of being a Healthcare Assistant?
Why it’s asked: To reveal self-awareness and problem-solving.
Sample Answer: “The emotional toll of supporting families during critical illnesses is challenging. I cope by debriefing with my team and practicing self-care, like mindfulness exercises, to maintain my resilience.”
Role-Specific and Technical Questions
- How would you assist a patient with personal care while maintaining their dignity?
Why it’s asked: Core to HCA duties; assesses respect for privacy.
Sample Answer: “I’d explain each step beforehand, ensure privacy with screens or closed doors, and use gentle language. For instance, during bathing, I’d ask for preferences and cover non-essential areas to preserve modesty.” - What would you do if you noticed a colleague engaging in unethical behavior, like breaching patient confidentiality?
Why it’s asked: Tests integrity and knowledge of protocols like HIPAA/GDPR.
Sample Answer: “I’d address it privately first if safe, then escalate to a supervisor or ethics hotline per policy. In a past incident, I reported a documentation error anonymously, preventing potential harm.” - How do you ensure infection control and hygiene in a care setting?
Why it’s asked: Vital post-2025 outbreaks; checks practical knowledge.
Sample Answer: “I follow strict protocols: handwashing before/after contact, PPE usage, and sanitizing equipment. I once identified a lapse in surface cleaning during a team audit, leading to retraining that reduced risks.” - Describe how you’d respond if a patient became unresponsive.
Why it’s asked: Evaluates emergency response skills.
Sample Answer: “I’d call for help immediately, check ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation), start CPR if trained, and use an AED if available while alerting the crash team.” - What experience do you have with electronic health records (EHR) or digital tools?
Why it’s asked: Reflects 2025’s tech integration in healthcare.
Sample Answer: “I’m proficient in systems like Epic, where I’ve entered patient data accurately. I recently completed online training on telehealth apps to support virtual check-ins.”
Situational and Future-Focused Questions
- How would you handle a heavy workload with multiple patients?
Why it’s asked: Assesses multitasking in understaffed settings.
Sample Answer: “I’d delegate where possible, communicate with the team, and focus on high-priority needs. During a staffing shortage, I coordinated with nurses to streamline vitals rounds, ensuring no delays.” - What certifications or training do you hold for this role?
Why it’s asked: Verifies qualifications like NVQ Level 2/3 or BLS.
Sample Answer: “I hold a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, plus CPR certification renewed in 2025. I’m also pursuing dementia care training.” - How do you stay updated on healthcare advancements?
Why it’s asked: Shows commitment to lifelong learning.
Sample Answer: “I subscribe to journals like Nursing Times and attend webinars on topics like AI in diagnostics. Recently, I completed a module on sustainable healthcare practices.” - Where do you see your career in five years?
Why it’s asked: Gauges ambition and alignment with employer growth.
Sample Answer: “I aim to advance to a Senior HCA or specialize in palliative care, contributing to team leadership while pursuing further qualifications like a nursing degree.” - Why do you want to work for our organization?
Why it’s asked: Checks research and cultural fit.
Sample Answer: “Your focus on innovative community care, like your recent telehealth expansion, aligns with my experience in hybrid support roles. I’m eager to contribute to your patient satisfaction initiatives.”FAQs for Healthcare Assistant Job Interviews
Interviews for HCA positions often spark common concerns. Here are 10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) based on 2025 trends from sites like Workable, HiPeople, and Alina Homecare, with concise answers to build your confidence.- What should I wear to a Healthcare Assistant interview?
Professional attire like scrubs or business casual (e.g., polo shirt and khakis) shows readiness. Avoid strong scents to respect hygiene standards. - How long does a typical HCA interview last?
30-60 minutes, including a panel discussion and skills demo. Virtual formats are common for initial rounds. - Do I need prior experience to get hired as an HCA?
Not always—many entry-level roles train on the job, but 6-12 months in care settings boosts chances. Highlight transferable skills like customer service. - What if I don’t know an answer during the interview?
Be honest: “I’m not familiar with that, but I’d approach it by consulting protocols and seeking team input.” It shows humility and eagerness to learn. - How do I prepare for a practical skills test?
Review basics like handwashing, vital signs, or bed-making. Practice with videos or simulations; emphasize safety and dignity. - What questions should I ask the interviewer?
Inquire about team dynamics, training opportunities, or shift patterns to show engagement. E.g., “How does the team handle end-of-life care?” - Is a second interview common for HCA roles?
Yes, often for reference checks or shadowing. Use it to reiterate your passion and ask about onboarding. - How do I follow up after the interview?
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, referencing a key discussion point. Reaffirm your interest. - What salary can I expect as a new HCA in 2025?
£22,000-£28,000 annually (UK average), depending on location and experience. Negotiate based on benefits like overtime. - How can I stand out in a competitive HCA job market?
Showcase soft skills like cultural sensitivity (e.g., for diverse patients) and tech savvy. Tailor your CV to the job and practice STAR responses (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- What should I wear to a Healthcare Assistant interview?
To apply for this job please visit findajob.dwp.gov.uk.