Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Support Worker - Purbeck or Ridgeway Ward

The closing date is 15 October 2025

Job summary

Are you a caring individual looking to grow your career in health care in a Hospital that truly cares for their staff? Do you have an interest in surgery and want to use your passion and skills to provide the best patient care pre and post-surgery for orthopaedic and trauma patients?

We are a growing and changing organisation, and are looking for new team members to work with us during this time of change and development.

The role of a Healthcare Support Worker is a very privileged role. As a HCSW you will provide personal care and support to patients at their most vulnerable times. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team to provide a compassionate, caring and safe environment for our patients.

Please be aware that this role is not currently eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants should be aware of the requirement to independently obtain ongoing right to work in the UK beyond the expiry of any temporary or time-limited permissions. Evidence of this will need to be shared with the HR Team to ensure our records remain up to date.

Main duties of the job

To excel in this role you don't need to have years of experience, we are looking for values and passion as well as:

Have excellent communication skills and be able to work as part of a team.
Have an eye for detail and be able to maintain accurate documentation.

With a competitive hourly rate, plus unsociable hours payments and an attractive benefits package including excellent leave entitlements and discounts, our role could be the perfect next step for you!

About us

In return we can offer you:

An attractive benefits package including competitive hourly rate, brilliant leave entitlement, NHS discount, NHS pensions and more!
Access to first class training to support you in your role, whether you are in your first years of healthcare, or progressing your existing career. This includes a week of initial training which will result in you achieving a Care Certificate.
A truly special team environment as part of #TeamDCH
A buddy system to support you in your first weeks and months

We understand that fitting a social life and managing family time can be challenging when dedicating yourself to a Nursing career therefore Flexible working and working patterns will be considered where appropriate.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in groups which are under-represented in our organisation.

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

Date posted

01 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

405-25-CS407PUR-A

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Desirable

Professional appearance
Tactful and polite
Ability to communicate with all levels of staff
Ability to exchange factual information accurately
Ability to deal with sensitive situations
Patient and calm
Kind and compassionate
Open and approachable
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Motivated
Positive and flexible approach
Understands limits of own responsibility
Willingness to learn new skills
Able to speak English as necessary to undertake role

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

Evidence of Secondary Education including English and Maths up to Level 2 or equivalent
IT literate

Desirable

Level 3 vocational qualification in health and social care (or willing to complete) or equivalent relevant experience.
Understanding of basic physiology e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (to understand and be understood)
Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative.
An understanding around basic patient care

Desirable

Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being
Working toward competency based work book, or equivalent level 3
Ability to follow clear instruction and feedback to senior staff.

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Desirable

Professional appearance
Tactful and polite
Ability to communicate with all levels of staff
Ability to exchange factual information accurately
Ability to deal with sensitive situations
Patient and calm
Kind and compassionate
Open and approachable
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Motivated
Positive and flexible approach
Understands limits of own responsibility
Willingness to learn new skills
Able to speak English as necessary to undertake role

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

Evidence of Secondary Education including English and Maths up to Level 2 or equivalent
IT literate

Desirable

Level 3 vocational qualification in health and social care (or willing to complete) or equivalent relevant experience.
Understanding of basic physiology e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (to understand and be understood)
Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative.
An understanding around basic patient care

Desirable

Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being
Working toward competency based work book, or equivalent level 3
Ability to follow clear instruction and feedback to senior staff.

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

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)