Job summary
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at St Peter's Hospitals in Chertsey, Surrey are recruiting for Senior Health Care Support Workers (Band 3). We're looking for passionate, highly motivated staff to join our busy ICU team, where you will support the registered ICU nurses, therapists and doctors, in the delivery of high standards of patient care.
Full -time and part-time posts will be considered, shifts include long days, nights, weekends, and public holidays. Our Senior HCSWs will need the flexibility to cover varied shift patterns.
Candidates applying for this post must possess and be able to demonstrate within the application form the following essential criteria:
- Recent and previous NHS experience as a Health Care Support Worker for a minimum of 6 months
- Having successfully achieved the Care Certificate within an NHS setting
Only candidates that meet the above will be considered for the post.
Successful candidates must also have good communication skills, competent IT Skills, a valid right to work document and have a kind, compassionate nature.
The Trust offers training, including a four-week induction programme and further development opportunities.
Only applications for candidates already based in the UK will be considered, remote interviews will not be possible and we will not consider alternative dates for the interviews.
Interviews are taking place in person on Saturday 15th March 2025.
For further information, please contact lisa.punter@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
Our Healthcare Support Workers are at the heart of providing direct patient centred care, supporting the Registered Nurses and Nursing Associates as well as the wider Multi-Disciplinary Teams.
The role is varied, equally challenging and rewarding, where you will have the opportunity to really make a difference to the experience of our patients. The role includes:
- Providing direct patient care including meeting hygiene, continence, nutrition, pressure area care and mobility needs
- Taking and recording patients' vital signs, identifying and escalating changes to a patients condition
- Providing one to one observation for patients who present a high risk of harm and vulnerable patients
- Undertaking training and competencies related to the role such as undertaking ECGs, venepuncture, and cannulation, and other competencies related to the specific department
- Escorting patients to different departments such as x-ray and theatres
- Keeping the department and equipment clean, tidy and restocking supplies
- Training and supporting new and junior team members
- Supporting the registered nursing team in providing high quality care pre and post operative care
We have specific criteria for our ICU HCSWs and these form part of the day-to-day role, please see the appendix in the job description for further information.
About us
Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.
Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.
We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.
We are expanding our theatres at Ashford Hospital and moving towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures.
We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:
- Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
- On-site Nurseries
- On-site staff cafes
- On-site parking
- Support in career development
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work schemes and home electronics
Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
For more information about a career at ASPH please visit:www.asph-careers.org
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working as a Senior Healthcare Support Worker will involve carrying out assigned tasks involved with direct patient care whilst maintaining the privacy and dignity of patients. This will be whilst demonstrating excellent care, compassion and communication, and in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse or Nursing Associate, incorporating:
Continence Management Nutrition & Hydration Undertaking and recording of Vital Signs Moving & Handling of patients to support independence Infection Prevention and Control Safeguarding of adults and children
Assist with direct patient care under the supervision of an ITU nurse, always ensuring the privacy and dignity of patients. This will be whilst demonstrating excellent care, compassion and communication. Senior Healthcare Support Worker will be responsible for:
Demonstrating professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to patient-centred care Assisting with patient mobility and promoting independence. Safeguarding of adults and children. Follow all hospital policies maintaining high standards of infection prevention by cleaning and organizing ITU equipment appropriately. Ensure ITU equipment is cleaned, stored properly, and charged as needed (guidance will be provided). Support the bedside nurse during patient discharge by cleaning and preparing the bedspace according to the checklist provided. Ensure relevant equipment is ready for use (cleaned, charged, and functional) Monitoring and recording vital signs (following appropriate training). Complete the empty bedspace checklist provided by the unit. Organise and restock supplies, escalating shortages to the NIC when necessary. Restock bedspaces (both empty and occupied) with appropriate supplies. Assist with admissions (orientation will be provided by senior nurses or senior HCAs). Run arterial blood gas (ABG) and urinalysis tests. Participate in weekly checks of transfer bags. Caring for Level 3 patients will be responsibility of a ITU bedside nurse which will request support according with needs. Deliver direct care, potentially independently, to Level 1 patients after ITU Nurse in charge assessment. Continence management. Nutrition and hydration. Recognising patient deterioration and escalating concerns to the bedside nurse (training will be provided). Providing break relief for Level 1 and, where appropriate, support the covering buddy RN with care for Level 2 patients (depending on length of ITU experience), with escalation to the Nurse in Charge (NIC) when necessary.
Please see full Job Description for full details
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working as a Senior Healthcare Support Worker will involve carrying out assigned tasks involved with direct patient care whilst maintaining the privacy and dignity of patients. This will be whilst demonstrating excellent care, compassion and communication, and in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse or Nursing Associate, incorporating:
Continence Management Nutrition & Hydration Undertaking and recording of Vital Signs Moving & Handling of patients to support independence Infection Prevention and Control Safeguarding of adults and children
Assist with direct patient care under the supervision of an ITU nurse, always ensuring the privacy and dignity of patients. This will be whilst demonstrating excellent care, compassion and communication. Senior Healthcare Support Worker will be responsible for:
Demonstrating professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to patient-centred care Assisting with patient mobility and promoting independence. Safeguarding of adults and children. Follow all hospital policies maintaining high standards of infection prevention by cleaning and organizing ITU equipment appropriately. Ensure ITU equipment is cleaned, stored properly, and charged as needed (guidance will be provided). Support the bedside nurse during patient discharge by cleaning and preparing the bedspace according to the checklist provided. Ensure relevant equipment is ready for use (cleaned, charged, and functional) Monitoring and recording vital signs (following appropriate training). Complete the empty bedspace checklist provided by the unit. Organise and restock supplies, escalating shortages to the NIC when necessary. Restock bedspaces (both empty and occupied) with appropriate supplies. Assist with admissions (orientation will be provided by senior nurses or senior HCAs). Run arterial blood gas (ABG) and urinalysis tests. Participate in weekly checks of transfer bags. Caring for Level 3 patients will be responsibility of a ITU bedside nurse which will request support according with needs. Deliver direct care, potentially independently, to Level 1 patients after ITU Nurse in charge assessment. Continence management. Nutrition and hydration. Recognising patient deterioration and escalating concerns to the bedside nurse (training will be provided). Providing break relief for Level 1 and, where appropriate, support the covering buddy RN with care for Level 2 patients (depending on length of ITU experience), with escalation to the Nurse in Charge (NIC) when necessary.
Please see full Job Description for full details
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Functional level of English and Math
- Care Certificate in Acute Care achieved through the NHS
Desirable
- Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working as a health care support worker within the NHS for a minimum of six months.
- Working as part of a team
Desirable
- Previous experience training and supporting new staff
Knowledge
Essential
- Trust vision, values and behaviours and strategic objectives
- Understanding of the role of the Healthcare Support Worker in the hospital setting
Skills
Essential
- Effective communication
- Required IT skills
- Caring and Compassionate
- Empathy and Understanding
- Ability to provide excellent patient centred care
Desirable
- Extended skills such as venepuncture, cannulation and undertaking ECGs
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to demonstrate that you are honest, reliable and trustworthy
- Treat patients, visitors, colleagues with respect
- Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the patients, the team, the service and the Trust. This could include shift work during a 7-day working pattern.
- Residing in UK with a valid right to work documentation to work in UK
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Functional level of English and Math
- Care Certificate in Acute Care achieved through the NHS
Desirable
- Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working as a health care support worker within the NHS for a minimum of six months.
- Working as part of a team
Desirable
- Previous experience training and supporting new staff
Knowledge
Essential
- Trust vision, values and behaviours and strategic objectives
- Understanding of the role of the Healthcare Support Worker in the hospital setting
Skills
Essential
- Effective communication
- Required IT skills
- Caring and Compassionate
- Empathy and Understanding
- Ability to provide excellent patient centred care
Desirable
- Extended skills such as venepuncture, cannulation and undertaking ECGs
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to demonstrate that you are honest, reliable and trustworthy
- Treat patients, visitors, colleagues with respect
- Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the patients, the team, the service and the Trust. This could include shift work during a 7-day working pattern.
- Residing in UK with a valid right to work documentation to work in UK
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.
