Advertised role location: 16 Ferniskey Road Kells Ballymena
Official document: NHSCT-Continuing Care Support Worker Band 4 (docx)
Continuing Care
Job Description

Continuing Care
Job Description


The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.
We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.
The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value
 What does this mean?
 What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.
 

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution
I treat people with respect and dignity
I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams
I actively engage people on issues that affect them
I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

 Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.
 

I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness
I learn from others by listening carefully to them
I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others

 
Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.
I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference
I take responsibility for my decisions and actions
I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing
I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships
I ask someone for help when needed
I speak up if I have concerns
I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice


JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Continuing Care Support Worker
BAND: 4
DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Community Care Division 24 Hour Home Nursing Team
INITIAL LOCATION: Kells
REPORTS TO: Registered Nurse
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Assistant Clinical Services Manager

FLEXIBLE WORKING
PROVISIONS AVAILABLE: Full time working 37.5 hours per week day and night shift required

JOB SUMMARY:
24 Hour Home Nursing Care Scheme
The Continuing Care Support Worker will be required to work under the direction of the Registered Nurse. The Continuing Care Support Worker will accept responsibility only for care delegated by a registered nurse working within competencies achieved through an induction programme and competency based assessment or where directed QCF in Care/Clinical Health Care Skills.

The post holders will be part of a team providing 12 or 24 hour care, 7 days a week, in shift patterns, to an individual client in his/her own home.

The post holders may also be assigned to any other scheme that may occur throughout the Trust area. This may involve participation in the provision of 12 or 24 hour care to other clients in similar schemes in the Trust area.

Should the scheme be brought to an end, the post holder will be re-deployed to a suitable alternative post.

The post holder is required to assist in the provision of safe, effective person-centred, compassionate care under the delegation of the Registered Nurse.
The post holder will assist patients/service users with fundamental nursing care in all aspects of the activities of daily living, as delegated by registered staff, for example, washing, toileting, eating and drinking.
The post holder will undertake clinical duties as required in the ward/department or individual care package, following appropriate induction and training, which have been delegated by registered nursing staff. E.g. maintaining the clients airway and artificially breathing for the client when not connected to the ventilator, changing a tracheostomy tube in a well-established tracheostomy (with a stable patient in) in an emergency situation, suctioning, care of ventilator, record clients clinical observations and provide
appropriate care as per care plan, able to identify early signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia and provide prescribed treatment. Administer prescribed medications and nebulised therapy in accordance with trust policy.
The post holder must ensure that all information regarding patients is kept in strict confidence.

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Provision Of Care

The post holder will:
Maintain the confidentiality of all information, regarding patients/service users at all times.
Respect the dignity, wishes and beliefs of all patients/service users.
Obtain consent from patient/client for all care and treatment provision.
Assist patients/service users with fundamental nursing care in all aspects of the activities of daily living, as delegated by registered staff, for example, washing, toileting, eating and drinking.
Undertake clinical duties as required in the ward/department or individual care package, which have been delegated by registered nursing staff which may include; care of stable ventilated patient on an individual care plan basis, maintaining the clients airway and artificially breathe for the client when not connected to the ventilator, simple dressings, catheter care, physiological observations and identification of the deteriorating patients care of specialist equipment, handling specimens.
Report and where appropriate accurately record all activities undertaken.
Encourage patients/service users to actively participate in their own care when this is appropriate.
Identify if patients/service users are at risk and take appropriate action in the circumstances, inform the registered nurse and make a written record. They will be required to summons emergency assistance

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;

It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust. As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/ policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these;

Where the post-holder has responsibility for managing a budget, ensure that services are managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities as set out on a yearly basis and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, particularly ensuring your compliance with payroll documentation procedures and timescales;

Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the ‘Knowledge and Skills Framework’ outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives;
Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development;

Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary;

Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others;

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision-making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes;

Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility;

Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme;

Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.;

Make sure that staff are aware of Trust policies regarding the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:-
At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner

At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety

Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations

Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.



RECORDS MANAGEMENT
All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY
£26,530 - £29,114 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)
RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK
Please note this role may not meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Heath and Care Worker visa) and the Trust therefore would be unable to employ anyone that requires Sponsorship. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).

HOURS
Normal full-time hours of duty are 37½ hours per week, exclusive of meal times
MEDICAL
Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.
HOLIDAYS
27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years’ service; 33 days after 10 years’ service and 10 statutory and public holidays.
PENSION
The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.
NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS
You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.
WAITING LIST
A waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent/temporary, full/part time posts which may arise within the next 12 months
PAY PROTECTION
Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011. This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.
Completed application forms should be returned to the BSO Recruitment and Selection Shared Services Centre, on or before the closing date as stated in the advertisement.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

Oct 2025

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Continuing Care Support Worker
Band of Post: 4
Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.
Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA


SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor
Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Qualifications/ Registration
Hold NVQ/VRQ/QCF level 3 Certificate in Health/Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification
Or
Hold NVQ/VRQ/QCF level 2 Certificate in Health/Health & Social Care or an equivalent qualification, and 6 months experience of delivering direct care in a care environment
Or
Hold 4 GCSE’s at grade A-C including English and Maths (or equivalent qualification) plus 6 months experience of delivering direct care in a care environment.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other
Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post
Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities
Effective communication skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Effective organisational skills
Interview / Test

Knowledge
Knowledge of role and responsibilities of the post
Knowledge of patient / client needs in a caring environment
Knowledge of health and safety issues
Interview / Test

Special Circumstances
Must undertake the regional induction programme, as soon as possible, following the allocated start date and complete within 6 months of taking up post.
Must be willing to complete QCF Level 3 Certificate in Healthcare Support.
Must undertake relevant training to meet the service needs.
Ability to work flexibly including evenings, nights, weekends, bank holidays and on call as required.
Staff may be required to work in other teams within the service to ensure timely provision of the service as directed by management.
Interview

Value Based Recruitment
Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust.
It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do.
Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.
In answering the value based questions you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.
Criminal Offences, Investigations and Charges
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust.  This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate.  Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).

If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department.
As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE NHSCT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Successful applicants:
may be required to attend for a Health Assessment
can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range  of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post.  If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.
have the right to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance
October 2025