Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Support Worker - Frailty SDEC - Newton Abbot Hospital

The closing date is 02 April 2026

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Job summary

Do you want to join an exciting new service and help shape it from day one?

The Harbour Frailty Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) service at Newton Abbot Hospital is launching, and we are looking for motivated Band 3 Healthcare Assistants to be part of this new, patient-centred service.

This is your chance to step into a fast-paced, supportive MDT environment delivering same-day care for older people living with frailty -- providing the right care, at the right time, without unnecessary hospital admission.

You will support the clinical team by:

  • Taking patient observations
  • Supporting with personal care
  • Performing ECGs as required
  • Undertaking venepuncture and cannulation (where trained)

We are looking for enthusiastic, compassionate individuals who enjoy teamwork, adapt well to change, and thrive in a busy clinical environment.

If you want to make a difference, be part of something new, and help build a service you can be proud of -- we want to hear from you. Contact Natalie Armstrong for more information.

Main duties of the job

  • Working clinically to ensure the safety and quality of the care given to your designated patients, under the indirect supervision of a registered nurse/practitioner
  • Undertaking the following, but not restricted to, clinical tasks competently and efficiently:
  • Cannulation and Venepuncture
  • Competently taking and interpreting Vital signs on adults
  • Able to make appropriate referrals to Adult and Child Safeguarding teams
  • Supporting and working with colleagues during the shift
  • Liaising with the wider MDT to maintain safety
  • Helping to facilitate the development of the service as part of the wider team
  • To participate in discussions and projects that will benefit the team, the patients and the Unit as a whole
  • Working under guidance and in conjunction with the senior nursing team and the Matron
  • Following the Trust's Policies and Protocols to ensure the safety of the department

About us

Why work with us- The team is flexible and promotes a healthy work/home life balance therefore, your package with us includes a lot more than just your pay.

Listed are a few of the additional benefits that are available to you as an employee:

  • NHS Pension Scheme
  • Childcare at our day nursery
  • Generous Holiday Entitlement, starting at 27 days a year (for full time workers) plus bank/public holidays
  • Staff Discounts
  • Career development and training opportunities
  • Employee Support - Staff have access to a 24-hour helpline

Details

Date posted

19 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum (pro rata)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

388-7855900-FC&I

Job locations

Newton Abbot Hospital

West Golds Road

Newton Abbot

TQ12 2TS


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Developing and supporting yourself and others
  • Assisting with managing care of all patients on the unit, alongside colleagues
  • Adhere to Trust protocols and procedures
  • Follow trust protocols and maintain standards
  • Competent use of Equipment. Training and supporting others
  • Participating in developing a career plan
  • Follow TSDHCFT Policies and use correct agreed documentations

Full vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification.

Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Home Office Skilled Worker visa route, due to the increased salary threshold introduced in early May 2025. Therefore, we are only able to consider applications from individuals who already have the right to work in the UK.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Developing and supporting yourself and others
  • Assisting with managing care of all patients on the unit, alongside colleagues
  • Adhere to Trust protocols and procedures
  • Follow trust protocols and maintain standards
  • Competent use of Equipment. Training and supporting others
  • Participating in developing a career plan
  • Follow TSDHCFT Policies and use correct agreed documentations

Full vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification.

Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Home Office Skilled Worker visa route, due to the increased salary threshold introduced in early May 2025. Therefore, we are only able to consider applications from individuals who already have the right to work in the UK.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • Recent experience as an HCA in a hospital/day unit setting
  • Care Certificate
  • NVQ Level 3

Desirable

  • Evidence of continued study

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Confidence in own ability to manage your own workload
  • Be able to evaluate care delivered and plan ahead.
  • Be able to identify a sick or deteriorating patient
  • To understand principles of safeguarding and to be able to make appropriate referrals
  • To have an understanding of how to undertake and monitor vital signs

Specific Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work in under pressure and flexibly
  • Demonstrable effective communication skills
  • Be competent in recording and understanding vital signs
  • Be competent in performing ECGs
  • Have basic wound management skills

Desirable

  • To be able to undertake venepuncture and cannulation
  • To be able to perform male/female catheterisation
Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • Recent experience as an HCA in a hospital/day unit setting
  • Care Certificate
  • NVQ Level 3

Desirable

  • Evidence of continued study

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Confidence in own ability to manage your own workload
  • Be able to evaluate care delivered and plan ahead.
  • Be able to identify a sick or deteriorating patient
  • To understand principles of safeguarding and to be able to make appropriate referrals
  • To have an understanding of how to undertake and monitor vital signs

Specific Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work in under pressure and flexibly
  • Demonstrable effective communication skills
  • Be competent in recording and understanding vital signs
  • Be competent in performing ECGs
  • Have basic wound management skills

Desirable

  • To be able to undertake venepuncture and cannulation
  • To be able to perform male/female catheterisation

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Newton Abbot Hospital

West Golds Road

Newton Abbot

TQ12 2TS


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Newton Abbot Hospital

West Golds Road

Newton Abbot

TQ12 2TS


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward manager

Helen Thatcher

helen.thatcher@nhs.net

01626324605

Details

Date posted

19 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum (pro rata)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

388-7855900-FC&I

Job locations

Newton Abbot Hospital

West Golds Road

Newton Abbot

TQ12 2TS


Supporting documents

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