University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW)

The closing date is 19 November 2026

Job summary
Join us at University Hospitals Plymouth and take the next step in your healthcare journey as a Band 3 Healthcare Assistant. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference to patients and their families during some of the most important moments of their lives. You'll join a supportive, compassionate workforce where your kindness, reliability and dedication truly matter.

Whether you're building on previous experience or looking to take the next step in your healthcare career, we want to hear from you.

At UHP, we invest in our people. You'll receive comprehensive training, ongoing development and access to clear pathways that support your career progression. You'll be joining one of the region's largest and most innovative healthcare providers, where teamwork, learning and high-quality patient care are at the heart of everything we do.

If you're compassionate, motivated and ready to grow, this is your chance to be part of a team that will support your development and value the contribution you make every day.

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
The Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering personal care to patients and supporting Registered Practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate care. Support and supervision is provided by Registered Practitioners.

You will carry out a range of non-clinical healthcare tasks, under the direct supervision of the Registered Practitioner. To achieve this the HCSW will competently perform the necessary aspects of care for patients, to agreed quality standards and in accordance with Trust values.

You will also be supported to obtain a Care Certificate if not already achieved.

We are happy to support part time or full time work but candidates must be available to work on a rota that includes days, nights and all days of the week.

If you are shortlisted and invited for an interview, you will receive a detailed confirmation of the schedule a few days in advance.

Please note that interviews will only be scheduled through a TRAC invitation following your application, and walk-in applicants will not be accepted.

We as a teamwork alongside each other to provide a high standard of care and give the best experience to our patients.

All staff upholds to the core values of Nursing Profession. The values were care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.

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 in touch 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 3
Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year, Per Annum Pro Rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 216-LH-DD8353836
Job locations: Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities

• Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
• Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans.
• Ability to use your knowledge and experience to undertake non-routine duties and an understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility.
• To carry out a range of (limited) clinical duties with minimal / no supervision, including for example, blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation levels, body temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate, glucose monitoring, collection and testing of urine samples / faecal samples / sputum samples and wound swabs ensuring delivery of high-quality patient care at all times. NB: this list is not exhaustive and will vary depending on area of work.
• Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.
• 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.
• Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies.
• Utilising skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.
• Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.

For further information please see attached job description

Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience (Essential)

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

Qualifications (Essential)

• One of the following: Accredited Level 3 (SCQF - 6): City and Guilds 3, NVQ 3, Accredited BTEC National Diploma, Experience equivalent to the above qualifications
• Level 2 Functional skills in English and Math's, or equivalent
• Completion of accredited Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)
• Equivalent demonstrable experience

Aptitude & Abilities (Essential)

• Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
• Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
• 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: 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, Angela Evans, a.evans10@nhs.net, 01752430052

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust's privacy notice