
HCAs
Health Care Assistants (HCAs) are a core part of the delivery of excellent patient care at NELFT. They support our registered clinicians to deliver effective patient care within Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
Trained in extensive skills, as a Trust we support our Health Care Assistants who wish to develop further into foundation/degree-level healthcare professionals.
“ I had no medical experience before I took on this role. I have had so much support and training from the team. 12 months in, I can now use some medical terminology and understand it when it comes to my notes. ”
Level 3 Apprentice

At NELFT, Health Care Assistants work within our community mental health and district nursing services, including speciality teams such as Respiratory and Diabetes or Wound Clinics. They also work as Integrated Care Assistants across allied health professionals and nursing teams.
Health Care Assistants support our mental health and physical health inpatient services. They help to make our patients feel comfortable while they are in hospital. It’s a truly rewarding role.
All Health Care Assistants work towards the Care Certificate, which are a specific set of standards to ensure the appropriate level of skills, knowledge, and behaviours have been obtained to provide high-quality and compassionate care and support.
“The Trust has been very supportive of me in helping me find training to work toward my career goals. Everyone I have the pleasure of working with has been kind, supportive and always willing to help when needed. ”
Health Care Support Worker in Havering District Nursing Team

Professional Development
As part of our healthcare support workforce, you’ll have the opportunity to complete a range of development activities and work towards an appropriate foundation degree depending on your interests. This includes:
- Care Certificate
- Functional Skills Maths and English if required
- Level 3 diploma – apprenticeship in health and social care
- Level 5 Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship and Level 5 Nursing Associate Foundation Degree apprenticeship, which are pathways to completing a Level 6 degree in Nursing (Adult or Mental Health), Occupational Therapy or Speech and Language Therapy.
Personal development opportunities are available too, such as coaching and mentoring, quality improvement programmes or external courses which you can apply for through our Continued Professional Development panel.
More information can be found on our ‘Why Join Us’ page.
Why Join Us