Job summary
The post holder will be expected to demonstrate the ability to work alongside the Registered Nurses, providing high standards of care, whilst meeting the trust values. You will be given the opportunity to learn and develop all required skills.

We provide a 24 hour, 7 day a week service for patients and therefore this role requires our staff to work a combination of days and nights including weekdays and weekends.

Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

Main duties of the job
A Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) is a core member of the team delivering personal care to patients and supporting registered practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate care.

You will carry out a range of non-clinical healthcare tasks, under the direct supervision of the registered healthcare practitioner. Your role is to provide compassionate care, to agreed quality standards and in accordance with Trust values.

There will be opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, specific to your individual needs. Training will be provided to ensure you have the required core skills and skills set specific to your area of work. You will also be supported to obtain your care certificate if you do not have this qualification.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care.

The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.

If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process, please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you into contact with the recruitment team.

We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case.

We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date.

If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 2
Salary: £25,272 to £27,476 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-NB-DD8364034
Job locations: UHP-Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• Develop the skills to obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
• Under supervision follow individual patient care plans and report any changes immediately to the Registered Practitioner.
• Demonstrate care and compassion to patients, carers, and relatives to help ensure high-quality person-centred patient care is delivered at all times.
• Undertake basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and feeding back to the Registered Practitioner to ensure high standards of care, in particular relating to skin integrity and the alertness of the patient.
• Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.
• Ensure care is given in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the patients bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible and that the person has what they need within easy reach.
• Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.
• Undertake personal care duties.
• Supporting with toileting, bathing, dressing, and feeding. Recording oral fluid balance and nutrition.
• Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.
• Develop the skills to maintain effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills, where there may be barriers to understanding.
• Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty.
• Work effectively as part of a team.
• The HCSW is responsible for inputting information into the electronic patient record where applicable and also into patients written records. Comply with all relevant legislation and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records.

For further details please see enclosed JD & PS.

Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Be able to work as a member of a team
• Demonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
• Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives
• Ability to carry out assigned tasks effectively in a busy environment.

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting

Qualifications
Essential

• Training and qualifications are provided to enable the HCSW to comply with mandatory HCSW standards where you will obtain either: Accredited Vocational Qualification at Level 2 or equivalent relevant demonstrable experience. Note that if you are new to care, training will be provided to NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.

Desirable

• Level 2 QCF Diploma in Clinical Healthcare support
• Level 2 NVQ in Healthcare Health & Social Care
• Level 2 in Health & Social Care (NVQ, QCF, RQF)
• GCSE A*- D in English Language, or equivalent (e.g. Certificate in Adult Literacy at Level 1)
• GCSE A* - D, or equivalent in Mathematics (e.g. Certificate in Adult Numeracy at Level 1)

Aptitude & Abilities
Essential

• Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
• Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
• Committed to providing high quality patient care
• Basic IT skills, word, Email, keyboard skills
• Ability and willingness to undertake appropriate training within given time frames

Desirable

• Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: UHP-Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Ward Manager, Rachael Doherty, rachael.doherty@nhs.net, 01752439093

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