Job summary
We are recruiting Bank Healthcare Support Workers (HCSW) to support patients across our hospital sites in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. We are seeking individuals with a passion for supporting patients with various needs, and who have a willingness to develop enhanced care skills.
Bank roles offer:
- Flexible shifts across UHD sites
- Weekly pay
- NHS Pension
- Opportunity to apply for permanent roles
Please read the details of this advert carefully and follow the instructions provided.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
To be considered to join our bank as an HCSW, as a minimum you must:
- Have at least 6 months' experience as an HCSW in a UK acute hospital, OR 1 years' experience in a UK nursing or care home setting (within the last 24 months), AND
- Hold a completed NHS-recognised Care Certificate (competency-based, with workbook evidence), AND
- Have a good standard of numeracy and literacy.
NB: Student nurses from Bournemouth University are welcome to apply but must either meet the requirements above OR have completed at least one acute placement. Agency MHSWs who are already working shifts at UHD are also welcome to apply. Please make it clear on your application if you fall into one of these categories.
A full list of the criteria used to shortlist for this role is included on the advert. Please ensure you outline on your application how you meet these requirements.
Main duties of the job
MANDATORY EVIDENCE SUBMISSION
At the point of application, you must email copies of the following to uhd.bank.recruitment@nhs.net:
- Care Certificate (fully completed and NHS-recognised)
- Evidence to demonstrate your literacy and numeracy level (functional skills certificates, GCSE certificates, higher education certificates in relevant topics, etc), if available*
NB: Student nurses from Bournemouth University must either supply the evidence above OR evidence of their current registration on an appropriate BU nursing programme. Agency MHSWs will be reviewed against our database to confirm recent shift activity.
*If you are unable to demonstrate the necessary skill level in numeracy and/or literacy, you will be required to attend for, and pass, the relevant assessment(s) prior to being invited to interview. Please see below.
Evidence must be received by the advert closing date. Please include your full name and application ID/reference number.
Applications without the required evidence will not be progressed and will be automatically excluded in the longlisting stage. If you are unable to provide your evidence at the time of application, please wait for a future advert.
About us
UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently.
UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.
AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE
To support a fair and efficient recruitment process, the following dates are fixed:
- Advert closes: Sunday 8th February 2026, Midnight (may close earlier if sufficient applications are received)
- Assessments, if required (literacy & numeracy): Friday 13th February 2026 (in person)
- Face-to-face interviews: Wednesday 18th February 2026 (in person)
By applying, you confirm you are available to attend the assessment date (if applicable) and interview date listed above.
If you are unable to attend these dates, please wait for a future advert.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Successful candidates must be available to attend:
- A mandatory induction programme of two full consecutive weeks (Monday to Friday). These usually start on the first and third week of each month. BU student nurses will only be required to attend a two day induction (Monday-Tuesday).
- Additional days of induction and enhanced care training (exact dates to be confirmed).
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE
To support a fair and efficient recruitment process, the following dates are fixed:
- Advert closes: Sunday 8th February 2026, Midnight (may close earlier if sufficient applications are received)
- Assessments, if required (literacy & numeracy): Friday 13th February 2026 (in person)
- Face-to-face interviews: Wednesday 18th February 2026 (in person)
By applying, you confirm you are available to attend the assessment date (if applicable) and interview date listed above.
If you are unable to attend these dates, please wait for a future advert.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Successful candidates must be available to attend:
- A mandatory induction programme of two full consecutive weeks (Monday to Friday). These usually start on the first and third week of each month. BU student nurses will only be required to attend a two day induction (Monday-Tuesday).
- Additional days of induction and enhanced care training (exact dates to be confirmed).
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role.
Person Specification
Min. Experience Requirements
Essential
- 6 months' experience as an HCSW in a UK acute hospital
- 1 years' experience in a UK nursing or care home setting
- Completion of at least one acute placement (BU student nurses only)
Other Requirements
Desirable
- Training courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties, including mental health awareness
- Understanding of basic physiology (e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc)
- Experience of working with patients that require enhanced care (eg challenging behaviour, high falls risk, dementia and delirium)
- Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative
Person Specification
Min. Experience Requirements
Essential
- 6 months' experience as an HCSW in a UK acute hospital
- 1 years' experience in a UK nursing or care home setting
- Completion of at least one acute placement (BU student nurses only)
Other Requirements
Desirable
- Training courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties, including mental health awareness
- Understanding of basic physiology (e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc)
- Experience of working with patients that require enhanced care (eg challenging behaviour, high falls risk, dementia and delirium)
- Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
