University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW)

The closing date is 10 March 2026

Job summary

Bantham is an Elective Orthopaedic ward specialising in predominantly hip and knee replacement surgery and the enhanced recovery of the patients to facilitate them going home either later the same day or within a couple of days. The ward also takes some other elective orthopaedic cases including Total Shoulder replacements.

The Nursing staff work closely with the physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams to achieve the earliest but safest discharge possible for each individual patient.

Main duties of the job

Supporting the registered nurses and the wider MDT in caring for patients with joint replacements and post operative needs.

This includes assisting patients with personal care (washing ,dressing and toileting)

Supporting with mobility and using mobility aids as directed by Physios

Assisting with hydration and nutrition.

Taking and recording of clinical observations.

Accurately recording and updating charts and documenting in patient care plans/ notes.

Bed making , cleaning of equipment and preparing bed spaces for new admissions.

Compliance with infection prevention

***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

24 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AH-DD7815268

Job locations

Bantham Ward Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description

Job Group (Delete as applicable):

Nursing & Midwifery

Job Title:

Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW)

Existing Grade:

Band 3

Care Group:

Service Line:

Department:

Location:

Appraiser:

Accountable to:

Position Number:

Date:

December 2023

Job Purpose:

A Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering direct care to patients and supporting Registered Practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate health care to people in accordance with assessed needs and a care plan.

You will carry out a range of clinical and non-clinical healthcare, or therapeutic tasks, under the direct or indirect supervision of the Registered Practitioner, in accordance with the 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 3 HCSW in your area of work. You will also be supported to obtain a Care Certificate if not already achieved.

Key Dimensions

a) To carry out a range of clinical duties with minimal / no direct supervision

b) Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.

c) Lead by example and supervise/support junior members of staff to improve and maintain high standards of care.

d) Implements clinical care packages through a range of delegated clinical care duties relevant to the area of service.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description

Job Group (Delete as applicable):

Nursing & Midwifery

Job Title:

Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW)

Existing Grade:

Band 3

Care Group:

Service Line:

Department:

Location:

Appraiser:

Accountable to:

Position Number:

Date:

December 2023

Job Purpose:

A Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering direct care to patients and supporting Registered Practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate health care to people in accordance with assessed needs and a care plan.

You will carry out a range of clinical and non-clinical healthcare, or therapeutic tasks, under the direct or indirect supervision of the Registered Practitioner, in accordance with the 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 3 HCSW in your area of work. You will also be supported to obtain a Care Certificate if not already achieved.

Key Dimensions

a) To carry out a range of clinical duties with minimal / no direct supervision

b) Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.

c) Lead by example and supervise/support junior members of staff to improve and maintain high standards of care.

d) Implements clinical care packages through a range of delegated clinical care duties relevant to the area of service.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
  • Be able to work as a member of a team
  • Demonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
  • Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives

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

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

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

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
  • Be able to work as a member of a team
  • Demonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
  • Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives

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

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

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

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

Bantham Ward Derriford Hospital

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

Bantham Ward Derriford Hospital

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:

ward manager

Rachel Wood

rachel.wood5@nhs.net

01752430564

Details

Date posted

24 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AH-DD7815268

Job locations

Bantham Ward Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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