Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Senior Health Care Support Worker - Outpatients
The closing date is 27 November 2026

Job summary
The outpatients team at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals are seeking a new Health Care Assistant to join them in supporting the team!

The post-holder will carry out assigned tasks involving direct patient care in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse.

This is an exiting opportunity to work across the 5 sites within our trust in the Outpatients Departments.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will assist trained nursing staff and Doctors with the care of patients, procedures, chaperoning and directing patients to other departments as required.

The post holder will prepare all consulting rooms ensuring the necessary documentation is available for clinicians and ensure all equipment and examination beds are cleaned and all consulting rooms are prepared prior to and on finishing each clinic.

The post holder will receive patients into clinic and provide them with the necessary information and advice as directed by the nurse in charge and provide a high standard of direct nursing care ensuring patient dignity is maintained. Be able to work under remote supervision.

About us
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services:

• Acute Care: Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
• Primary Care: Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
• Community Services: Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
• Specialist Regional Services: We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 409-8349921
Job locations: St Helens Hospital, Marshalls Cross Road, St Helens, WA9 3DA, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES

• To work as part of the Nursing Team undertaking household support tasks and direct care tasks as delegated by the Nurse in Charge.
• To support the qualified Nursing Staff in the maintenance of high standards of nursing care to patients.
• To assist in providing an environment within the ward that is conducive to patient recovery and pleasant for patients and their families.
• To accept responsibility for specifically delegated functions within the ward which the Nurse in Charge feels are appropriate for untrained staff to undertake.
• To ensure where entries are made in nursing documentation, that these are correct, legible and comprehensive and countersigned by a registered nurse.
• To understand and adhere to all Trust Policies.
• To ensure the Health and Safety of patients, relatives and other staff is considered and not prejudiced by the post-holder at any time.
• To ensure that privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and is not compromised.
• To ensure that all patient information is confidential and is not disclosed to a third party except with permission of the Nurse in Charge.
• To report any untoward incidents/occurrences.
• To ensure that all patient care is delivered with the highest degree of professionalism.
• To present an appearance which gives a positive image of the Trust and a manner which is appropriate and which inspires confidence.
• To attend specifically fire and lifting and handling lectures annually and ensure appropriate updates are attended once H.C.A. training is complete.
• To participate in an annual performance review undertaken with the Ward Manager to identify personal development needs.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure that nursing care is appropriate, provided and is consistent with clinical guidelines.
• To ensure confidentiality of patient information at all times.
• To ensure the privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and not compromised.
• To communicate effectively with staff and patients to ensure that the highest possible standard of care is provided to patients.
• To be caring and competent and to ensure patient safety and well-being is paramount at all times.

In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan and/or appraisal.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure patient records are kept up to date and accurate and recording is done in line with Trust policies and procedures.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• To attend specifically fire and lifting and handling lectures annually and ensure appropriate updates are attended once H.C.A. training is complete.
• To participate in an annual performance review undertaken with the Ward Manager to identify personal development needs.

Person Specification
Our Values (Essential): We are Kind, We are Open, We are Inclusive

Qualifications (Essential)

• NVQ level 3 Health and Social Care or equivalent
• Care Certificate (equivalent to level 1)
• Literacy and numeracy functional skills level 2 or equivalent

Experience (Essential)

• Knowledge of personal care and related procedures
• Demonstrable experience of working in a patient care/health related role
• Knowledge of relevant legislation related to healthcare
• Experience of working in a team

Skills (Essential)

• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats
• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to work within a team
• Experience of supporting junior staff and learners
• Able to accept direction and guidance
• Aware of own limitations
• Flexible in working hours
• Able to prioritise own workload and manage time effectively
• Flexible, adaptable and responsive to change
• Reliable and professional
• Ability to cope in stressful and challenging situations
• Inclusive and non-judgmental
• Punctual, motivated and committed
• Effective role model demonstrating Trust values
• Basic IT skills

Other (Essential)

• Flexible and adaptable approach
• Frequent moderate effort for several long periods during the shift such as manual handling patients to supporting patient's personal care.
• Concentration, focus and frequent record keeping requirements. Carrying out time critical tasks.
• Aware that developing resilience to distressing situations is necessary without losing the ability to care compassionately
• Aware of the process for accessing staff health and wellbeing support
• Daily exposure to distressing situations which may include challenging behaviour, care of chronic health conditions, patient end of life care/care after death
• Able to carry out direct clinical care as required on ward or department.
• Potential blood or body fluids exposure.

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: Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address: St Helens Hospital, Marshalls Cross Road, St Helens, WA9 3DA, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Outpatients Manager, Kerry Young, kerry.bailey2@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk, 0151646709

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's privacy notice