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University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Health Care Support Worker (HCSW)

The closing date is 16 October 2025

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Job summary

Band 2 Health Care Support Worker, on Moorgate Major Trauma Ward.

The Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering personal care to patients and supporting Registered Practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate care. Support and supervision is provided by Registered Practitioners.

You will carry out a range of non-clinical healthcare tasks, under the direct supervision of the Registered Practitioner. To achieve this the HCSW will competently perform the necessary aspects of care for patients, to agreed quality standards and in accordance with Trust values.

There will be opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, specific to your needs. Training will be provided to ensure you have the required core skills for a Band 2 HCSW in your area of work. You will also be supported to obtain a Care Certificate if not already achieved.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

a) Participate in basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and reporting back to the Registered Practitioner to ensure high standards of care.

b) To follow all Trust policies and provide a safe and person-centred environment for the treatment of patients.

c) Participate in personal and practice development activities to maintain standards of care.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

03 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

216-CB-S7492364

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Develop the skills to obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.

2. Under supervision follow individual patient care plans and report any changes immediately to the Registered Practitioner.

3. Demonstrate care and compassion to patients, carers, and relatives to help ensure high-quality person-centred patient care is delivered at all times.

4. Undertake basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and feeding back to the Registered Practitioner to ensure high standards of care, in particular relating to skin integrity and the alertness of the patient.

5. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.

6. Ensure care is given in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.

7. Ensure that the patients bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible and that the person has what they need within easy reach.

8. Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.

9. Undertake personal care duties.

10. Supporting with toileting, bathing, dressing, and feeding. Recording oral fluid balance and nutrition.

11. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.

12. Develop the skills to maintain effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills, where there may be barriers to understanding.

13. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty.

14. Work effectively as part of a team.

15. The HCSW is responsible for inputting information into the electronic patient record where applicable and also into patients written records. Comply with all relevant legislation and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records.

Professional

16. Demonstrate ability to access Trust policies and procedures and comply with those relevant to role.

17. Act, at all times, in a manner which demonstrates respect for privacy, dignity and confidentiality.

18. Embrace the Trust values and work in an inclusive way.

19. Act within limits of competence, ensuring actions support care, protection, and wellbeing.

20. Develop and maintain skills, knowledge, and competence for the role, with support from supervisor.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Develop the skills to obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.

2. Under supervision follow individual patient care plans and report any changes immediately to the Registered Practitioner.

3. Demonstrate care and compassion to patients, carers, and relatives to help ensure high-quality person-centred patient care is delivered at all times.

4. Undertake basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and feeding back to the Registered Practitioner to ensure high standards of care, in particular relating to skin integrity and the alertness of the patient.

5. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.

6. Ensure care is given in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.

7. Ensure that the patients bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible and that the person has what they need within easy reach.

8. Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.

9. Undertake personal care duties.

10. Supporting with toileting, bathing, dressing, and feeding. Recording oral fluid balance and nutrition.

11. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.

12. Develop the skills to maintain effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills, where there may be barriers to understanding.

13. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty.

14. Work effectively as part of a team.

15. The HCSW is responsible for inputting information into the electronic patient record where applicable and also into patients written records. Comply with all relevant legislation and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records.

Professional

16. Demonstrate ability to access Trust policies and procedures and comply with those relevant to role.

17. Act, at all times, in a manner which demonstrates respect for privacy, dignity and confidentiality.

18. Embrace the Trust values and work in an inclusive way.

19. Act within limits of competence, ensuring actions support care, protection, and wellbeing.

20. Develop and maintain skills, knowledge, and competence for the role, with support from supervisor.

Person Specification

Interview

Essential

  • Basic IT skills, word, Email, keyboard skills
  • Ability and willingness to undertake appropriate training

Desirable

  • Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
  • Flexible and adaptable to change

Interview

Essential

  • Able to work as a member of a team
  • Committed to providing high quality patient care
  • Caring and compassionate nature

Desirable

  • Demonstrable experience in healthcare
  • Demonstrable experience within Major Trauma
Person Specification

Interview

Essential

  • Basic IT skills, word, Email, keyboard skills
  • Ability and willingness to undertake appropriate training

Desirable

  • Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
  • Flexible and adaptable to change

Interview

Essential

  • Able to work as a member of a team
  • Committed to providing high quality patient care
  • Caring and compassionate nature

Desirable

  • Demonstrable experience in healthcare
  • Demonstrable experience within Major Trauma

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

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Plymouth

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Plymouth

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Larissa Heard

Larissa.heard@nhs.net

01752439152

Details

Date posted

03 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

216-CB-S7492364

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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