Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Support Worker - Paediatrics

The closing date is 22 February 2026

Job summary

The opportunity has arisen for motivated and enthusiastic healthcare support workers to join the team in Paediatric services. We provide family centered care for both our local CUH population and also as a specialist centre for the region.

You will be assisting the nursing medical and other allied health professionals to deliver high standards of holistic care to the children and young people that access our services.

You will already have experience working with children and young people and be ready to transfer these existing skills. You will need to have good communication skills and organisational skills. You will always be striving to promote and maintain a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment for our patients and their families / carers. Once deemed competent you will be able to work without direct supervision using your experience and knowledge to deliver the highest quality care.

Please note you will be required to undertake a Functional Skills Test as part of your interview assessment. You will need to pass this in order to proceed to a Conditional Offer. This is applicable if you are not currently working as a HCSW at CUH.

Main duties of the job

oWork as part of the multidisciplinary team delivering care to patients. Support and supervision is provided by a Registered practitioner.

oThe Healthcare Support Worker carries out a range of patient care tasks and duties to enable the team to provide an effective and efficient service.

oTo achieve this, the Health Care Support Worker will:

oCompetently perform the necessary aspects of care for patients

oEnsure effective delivery of nursing care is provided to patients and that an acceptable standard is maintained.

oFollow all Cambridge University Hospitals NHS foundation trust policies and provide a safe and person-centred environment for the treatment of patients.

oParticipate in personal and practice development activities to maintain standards of care

About us

Come Nurse with us...

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It's a great place to nurse, work and live.

You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practise your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

o Our values and reputation for outstanding careo Opportunities to experience a range of specialitieso Career and development opportunitieso Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support teamo Research experience and opportunitieso Lovely location and quality of life

Details

Date posted

20 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

180-E-269010

Job locations

Addenbrookes Hospital - Division E

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Please be aware that the salary threshold required for a certificate of sponsorship to be granted is above the starting point of the Agenda for Change band for this role. Therefore those that are new to the NHS may not reach the minimum salary threshold required to obtain a certificate of sponsorship.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

This vacancy will close at midnight on 22nd February 2026

Interviews will be face to face and are due to be held on 2th March 2026

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Please be aware that the salary threshold required for a certificate of sponsorship to be granted is above the starting point of the Agenda for Change band for this role. Therefore those that are new to the NHS may not reach the minimum salary threshold required to obtain a certificate of sponsorship.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

This vacancy will close at midnight on 22nd February 2026

Interviews will be face to face and are due to be held on 2th March 2026

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Holds National Care Certificate or willingness to undertake within the first 3 months of appointment
  • Holds Functional Skills Level 1 Maths and English or GCSE equivalent or undertake and achieve a pass following completion of level 1 functional skills assessment
  • Demonstrates a commitment to further learning and development
  • Approved level 2 qualification in Child Care or equivalent experience in a childcare setting

Desirable

  • Level 3 award in health care

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working with children and young people
  • Experience of working in an environment under pressure
  • Experience of working within a team
  • Experience of communicating with individuals from a range of different backgrounds
  • Experience of attention to detail - e.g. for recording in patient records

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a health care environment
  • Experience working in a healthcare, social care organisation/setting or service industry requiring people contact

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understands the job role and specific knowledge in relation to tasks included in the job description or be prepared to undertake training to be able to gain appropriate knowledge
  • Understand the level of competencies to be completed such as wound observation and dressings, venepuncture, removal of peripheral cannula, stoma bag changing, ECG's and reports any issues to the Registered practitioner
  • Have the knowledge to or be prepared to undertake training to be able to complete clinical and vital signs observations on patients
  • Understands and complies with HCSW mandatory induction standards and code of conduct
  • Awareness, understanding and compliance of policies and practices e.g. Escort Policy, Prevention and control of infection and Health and Safety
  • Promote the importance of maintaining confidentiality
  • Recognise the extent and limitations of own and others competence
  • Use own initiative recognising when to escalate concerns to a senior member of staff
  • Understands the importance of consistently providing individualised care based on current research and evidence
  • Demonstrate awareness of the needs of area specific patient group
  • Understanding of the anxiety and distress of some patients and relatives
  • Basic anatomy and physiology

Desirable

  • Awareness of National and local priorities and initiatives

Skills

Essential

  • Good communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Able to work as a team
  • Able to carry out well defined routine tasks
  • Able to work on own initiative, following direction/supervision by a Registered Healthcare Practitioner
  • Able to relate well with patients/relatives/ visitors/colleagues/the multi-disciplinary team and wider Trust staff
  • Committed to delivering high standards of patient care
  • Friendly, open, empathetic and compassionate
  • Professional outlook and positive attitude. Able to meet the flexible needs of the role and duty roster

Desirable

  • Prepared to undertake coaching role for other HCSW's
  • IT skills

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Holds National Care Certificate or willingness to undertake within the first 3 months of appointment
  • Holds Functional Skills Level 1 Maths and English or GCSE equivalent or undertake and achieve a pass following completion of level 1 functional skills assessment
  • Demonstrates a commitment to further learning and development
  • Approved level 2 qualification in Child Care or equivalent experience in a childcare setting

Desirable

  • Level 3 award in health care

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working with children and young people
  • Experience of working in an environment under pressure
  • Experience of working within a team
  • Experience of communicating with individuals from a range of different backgrounds
  • Experience of attention to detail - e.g. for recording in patient records

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a health care environment
  • Experience working in a healthcare, social care organisation/setting or service industry requiring people contact

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understands the job role and specific knowledge in relation to tasks included in the job description or be prepared to undertake training to be able to gain appropriate knowledge
  • Understand the level of competencies to be completed such as wound observation and dressings, venepuncture, removal of peripheral cannula, stoma bag changing, ECG's and reports any issues to the Registered practitioner
  • Have the knowledge to or be prepared to undertake training to be able to complete clinical and vital signs observations on patients
  • Understands and complies with HCSW mandatory induction standards and code of conduct
  • Awareness, understanding and compliance of policies and practices e.g. Escort Policy, Prevention and control of infection and Health and Safety
  • Promote the importance of maintaining confidentiality
  • Recognise the extent and limitations of own and others competence
  • Use own initiative recognising when to escalate concerns to a senior member of staff
  • Understands the importance of consistently providing individualised care based on current research and evidence
  • Demonstrate awareness of the needs of area specific patient group
  • Understanding of the anxiety and distress of some patients and relatives
  • Basic anatomy and physiology

Desirable

  • Awareness of National and local priorities and initiatives

Skills

Essential

  • Good communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Able to work as a team
  • Able to carry out well defined routine tasks
  • Able to work on own initiative, following direction/supervision by a Registered Healthcare Practitioner
  • Able to relate well with patients/relatives/ visitors/colleagues/the multi-disciplinary team and wider Trust staff
  • Committed to delivering high standards of patient care
  • Friendly, open, empathetic and compassionate
  • Professional outlook and positive attitude. Able to meet the flexible needs of the role and duty roster

Desirable

  • Prepared to undertake coaching role for other HCSW's
  • IT skills

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Addenbrookes Hospital - Division E

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Employer's website

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Addenbrookes Hospital - Division E

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Employer's website

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Matron

Emma Lally

emma.lally2@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

20 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

180-E-269010

Job locations

Addenbrookes Hospital - Division E

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Supporting documents

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