Job summary
- Main area
- Chemotherapy Outpatients
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (5 days per week; Monday-Friday)
- Job ref
- 193-7386161PCG
- Employer
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Berkshire Hospital
- Town
- Reading
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 26/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Healthcare Assistant (King Edward Ward - Chemotherapy OPD)
NHS AfC: Band 3
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”
Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.
We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions
We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate
We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live
We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we value candidates who bring their unique personalities, skills, and experiences to the Trust. When completing your application, we encourage you to highlight your individual achievements and strengths, showing us how they align with the requirements outlined in the job description and person specification. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools during the process, please be mindful that AI-generated responses can often lack the personal detail and relevance needed to demonstrate your suitability for the role. AI generated content is discouraged by the Trust and may diminish the candidates chances of success.
Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us. We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.
Job overview
Band 3 Healthcare Assistant (King Edward Ward - Chemotherapy OPD)
We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Healthcare Assistant to join our dynamic Chemotherapy Outpatients team.
You should be passionate about delivering high standards of care to cancer patients in an outpatient setting.
This is a patient-facing role where you will play a vital part in supporting individuals undergoing cancer treatment in a calm, professional, and compassionate environment.
This role is predominantly based in Royal Berkshire Hospital, but the service does also cover units at Bracknell Healthspace and West Berkshire Community Hospital, Thatcham.
This role is Monday-Friday; 08:30-16:30 - hours can, however, be negotiated where necessary.
Informal visits/chats are highly encouraged - for further information please contact Ward Sisters:
Taylor Carlisle - [email protected]
Kirti Pun - [email protected]
Main duties of the job
To provide high-quality, compassionate care and practical support to patients attending the Chemotherapy Outpatients Unit.
The Healthcare Assistant works under the supervision of registered nurses and contributes to the safe, efficient delivery of cancer treatment services, supporting patients physically and emotionally throughout their visit.
The post holder will provide high quality essential care to patients under the supervision of a Registered Practitioner in a caring, compassionate and sensitive manner:
· Acting always in the patient’s best interests.
· Protecting and maintaining the patient’s privacy and dignity at all times.
· Providing individualised care for a diverse group of patients respecting personal beliefs and preferences.
· Alert the Registered Practitioner and/or Ward/ Department Manager to any change or concern relating to the welfare of the patient in a timely manner.
· Undertake specific clinical skills relevant to clinical area following training and assessment of competence, e.g. performing vital signs, venepuncture.
· Provides enhanced levels of care to patients requiring additional supervision and support to ensure their personal safety and wellbeing needs are met.
Working for our organisation
We are one of the largest hospital foundation trusts in the country, and currently touch the lives of half a million patients in the west of Berkshire every year by providing high quality acute medical and surgical services for our local communities. The Trust strives to provide high quality, compassionate care for our patients and their families.
Our values:
- Compassionate
- Aspirational
- Resourceful
- Excellent
The town of Reading sits on the River Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford, and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work, and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.
The CQC rated the care provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good.
As part of the induction process, all new Healthcare Assistants will be supported to complete the nationally recognised Care Certificate (attached document refers) developed by Health Education England, Skills for Health and Skills for Care (2015).
This fantastic opportunity will allow you to gain formal recognition for the skills and knowledge you develop within the first 12 weeks of employment within the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1/ Provide safe, compassionate, and patient-focused care under the supervision of registered nurses.
2/ Support the clinical team in delivering effective cancer treatment in an outpatient environment.
3/ Maintain high standards of infection control, cleanliness, and health & safety at all times. Assist with stock management, demonstrating resourcefulness and avoiding disruptions to patient care.
4/ Recognise and escalate concerns related to patient wellbeing or treatment reactions.
5/ Protect patient dignity and confidentiality, always acting with professionalism and discretion.
6/ Contribute to a positive team environment, demonstrating flexibility, cooperation, and respect.
7/ Participate in ongoing training and development, maintaining up-to-date knowledge relevant to cancer care and chemotherapy support.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Care Certificate
Desirable criteria
- QCF level 2 or Level 3 in Health or Health and Social Care
- T Level in Health
- GSCE or equivalent - Maths and English
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience as Healthcare Assistant within an acute hospital environment or equivalent setting
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of working within relevant specialty
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Taylor Carlisle
- Job title
- SACT Ward Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0118 322 7464
- Additional information
SACT Ward Managers via:
Taylor Carlisle - [email protected] / 0118 322 7464
Kirti Pun - [email protected] / 0118 322 7464
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