Closing date: 16 November 2026
Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term, 1 year
Working pattern: Full-time
Band: Band 3, Agenda for change
Location: John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way Headington Oxford, OX3 9DU

Job summary
Vascular Surgery

We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and motivated Senior Healthcare Support Worker to join our Vascular Surgery team at Oxford University Hospitals.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across our Vascular Ward, Vascular Triage and Venous Procedure Service, supporting patients with a range of vascular conditions and contributing to the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care.

You will work closely with Registered Nurses, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, doctors and the wider multidisciplinary team. Your responsibilities will include undertaking clinical observations, supporting wound care, assisting with patient care and discharge, preparing patients for procedures, providing post-procedure care and supporting the smooth running of our clinical services.

Main duties of the job
We are looking for someone who:

• Has previous experience working as a Healthcare Support Worker or Healthcare Assistant.
• Has good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Is compassionate, reliable and able to work effectively within a busy team.
• Can recognise and appropriately escalate changes in a patient's condition.
• Is able to work flexibly across different clinical areas.
• Is committed to maintaining high standards of patient care, dignity and safety.
• Is keen to develop their clinical skills and knowledge within vascular surgery.
• Previous vascular, surgical, outpatient or wound-care experience would be advantageous, although appropriate training and support will be provided.

This is a maternity leave replacement, offering an opportunity to gain valuable experience across a specialist vascular service while working alongside an experienced and supportive multidisciplinary team.

If you are an enthusiastic Healthcare Support Worker looking to develop your experience within a specialist vascular environment, we would welcome your application.

Job responsibilities
Patient Care: Undertake a range of delegated and specific clinical skills for patients that demonstrate an enhanced level of competency/technical expertise documented in the plan of care. Prepare patients, families/carers and the environment for clinical activities. Monitor closely patients having undergone a clinical activity ensuring their safety, comfort and well being. Assist all patients of all genders with their personal care needs, maintaining privacy and dignity at all times. Assess and monitor the patient's skin integrity and report and document immediately any changes or concerns in their condition. Demonstrate clinical competence to undertake minor dressings and treatment as specified in the plan of care. Perform clinical observations (following appropriate assessment of proficiency) accurately recording using agreed electronic national early warning systems such as SEND and report and escalate any concerns appropriately. Assist patients to meet their food and fluid intake, ensuring an age appropriate nutritional assessment is undertaken, for example MUST. Competently obtain specimens as requested and ensure accurate labelling and transportation as per Trust policy.

Communication: Communicate effectively with patients, families/carers, recognising there may be a need to utilise alternative methods of communication. Greet all patients and visitors with courtesy and respect. Answer telephone calls and bleeps appropriately and efficiently, accurately relaying messages using SBARR as appropriate. Use paper and electronic systems to retrieve and record patient information in line with Trust documentation standards. Apply the principles of information governance and patient confidentiality to all aspects of your role. Obtain age/capacity appropriate consent from the patient before any clinical intervention is undertaken. Actively participate and contribute to discussions about patient care and ward issues at handover and meetings.

Respect, Equality and Diversity: Adhere to Trust, directorate and unit policies, protocols and guidelines. Recognise and respect people at all times with regard to age, disability, gender, position, race, religion and sexual orientation. Ensure the privacy and dignity of patients. Respect the patient's right to choice and act as the patient's advocate as necessary. Chaperone and act as an advocate for patients during examination by clinical staff as per Chaperone Policy. Escalate concerns regarding discriminatory practices.

Planning and Organisation: Prepare healthcare records for patient appointments/procedures. Demonstrate flexibility and effective time management skills to prioritise and organise own workload. Contribute to and follow a plan of care that accurately reflects the assessment needs of the patient. Record the care given to patients in an accurate, legible way that meets legal requirements ensuring a countersignature by a registered practitioner. Under supervision participate in the admission and discharge of patients ensuring appropriate risk assessments and documentation are completed.

Person Specification
Essential

• NVQ level 2 in care or willingness to work towards
• Experience of communicating with people from a wide and different background

Desirable

• Experience in a patient related environment in a social or health care setting
• Experience in vascular setting

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Website: Apply through our website

Contact: Advanced Nurse Practitioner Jenny Buisan, Jenny.buisan@ouh.nhs.uk, 01865223693

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice is available on request.