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University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Senior Health Care Support Worker

The closing date is 08 February 2026

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Job summary

Do you have a passion to support people who present with behaviours that challenge, seeing the difference you can make to support them during their acute admission? If so an exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Enhanced Therapeutic Observation and Care Team at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

The Enhanced Care Support Worker is responsible for providing therapeutic and person-centred care to support our patients and their families.

This rewarding position of Enhanced Care Support Worker will develop and evolve with our collaborative team working approach to ensure we meet the advancing demand of patients with additional needs.

As part of the role, you will be required to work on a 1:1 basis with high-risk patients, support several patients on a baywatch or provide general support to clinical areas. This could be in any ward or department across the Derriford Hospital site, working with both adults and children.

You will be required to work shifts including evenings, nights, weekends, and bank holidays. Based within a core team, you will be assigned to a patient/s for the shift and therefore will work across all wards and departments within our Trust, assisting in patient care under the supervision of registered healthcare professionals.

Interviews for this position will be face to face, no other methods will be offered.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

Demonstrate caring, compassionate, professional behaviour, fostering trust and confidence in the service for people in your care.

Build and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and gather information to support a holistic, multidisciplinary formulation and care plan, recognising and responding appropriately to the emotional needs of patients whilst maintaining effective professional boundaries.

Maintain effective communication with patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals regarding all aspects of care and contribute to the implementation and review of care plans in conjunction with the wider multidisciplinary team.

Contributing to risk assessment and risk management planning by identifying and reporting issues of concern to the nurse in charge, ETOC Leads or Site Managers.

To participate in the management of challenging or disturbed behaviour in line with trust policies and SOPs, utilising distraction, diversion and de-escalation techniques as required.

***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.***

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

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per Annum (pro rata if less than 37.5 Hours Per Week)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

216-AH-CO7672417

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures & guidelines.`

Job description

Job responsibilities

This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures & guidelines.`

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • One of the following oAccredited Level 3 (SCQF - 6): - City and Guilds 3 oNVQ 3 oAccredited BTEC National Diploma oDemonstrable experience equivalent to the above qualifications
  • Level 2 Functional skills in English and Math's, or equivalent
  • Completion of accredited Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)
  • Equivalent demonstrable experience

Desirable

  • Computer literate.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

  • Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
  • Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately

Desirable

  • Ability to advocate for vulnerable patients

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • oDemonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
  • oBe able to work as a member of a team
  • oDemonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
  • oProven understanding and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives

Desirable

  • Demonstrable experience of working in an acute hospital environment
  • Demonstrable experience of working with patients who have mental health issues.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • One of the following oAccredited Level 3 (SCQF - 6): - City and Guilds 3 oNVQ 3 oAccredited BTEC National Diploma oDemonstrable experience equivalent to the above qualifications
  • Level 2 Functional skills in English and Math's, or equivalent
  • Completion of accredited Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)
  • Equivalent demonstrable experience

Desirable

  • Computer literate.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

  • Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
  • Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately

Desirable

  • Ability to advocate for vulnerable patients

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • oDemonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
  • oBe able to work as a member of a team
  • oDemonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
  • oProven understanding and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives

Desirable

  • Demonstrable experience of working in an acute hospital environment
  • Demonstrable experience of working with patients who have mental health issues.

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 NHS Trust

Derriford Road

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 NHS Trust

Derriford Road

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:

Physical Interventions & Enhanced Care Lead

Aimee Craft or Amy Davey

plh-tr.enhancedcareteam@nhs.net

01752432219

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per Annum (pro rata if less than 37.5 Hours Per Week)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

216-AH-CO7672417

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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