Job summary
We are looking for a compassionate, reliable and enthusiastic Band 3 Health Care Support Worker to join our friendly and fast-paced team in the Outpatient Assessment Centre and Minor Procedure Suite at St Mary's Site, University Hospitals Dorset.
This varied role involves working across multiple clinical specialties, including:
Urology
Trauma & Orthopaedics
Dermatology
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)
And other day-case specialties
As a Band 3 HCSW, you will support registered nurses, clinicians, and patients through all stages of minor procedures. You'll play an essential part in delivering high standards of personal care, maintaining a safe environment, and supporting the smooth running of clinics and procedure sessions. These will be busy clinics and would suit someone who is organised and able to move from task to task.
Interview Date: 10th December 2025
Main duties of the job
Patient Care and Support
Assist in the preparation of patients for outpatient procedures, ensuring privacy, dignity, and comfort at all times.
Support patients before, during and after minor surgical or diagnostic procedures, under supervision of registered staff.
Monitor patient observations (e.g. pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) and report any concerns to a registered nurse.
Support the recovery and discharge of patients following procedures, providing clear post-care instructions when appropriate.
Escort patients safely between areas on beds and chairs when required.
Provide reassurance and emotional support to patients, carers, and families.
Clinical and Technical Duties
Assist in setting up and maintaining procedure rooms, ensuring equipment is clean, available, and fit for purpose.
Undertake cleaning of clinical equipment and rooms in accordance with infection prevention and control policies.
Assist with specimen labelling and transport according to local protocols.
Maintain stock levels, ordering and replenishing supplies to ensure efficient service delivery.
Accurately document care provided, including patient observations and interventions, in line with Trust policy.
About us
our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues. UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme. This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.
Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and condition
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and Teamwork
Work closely with registered nurses, advanced clinical practitioners, consultants, and administrative staff as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Participate in handovers and team briefings to support continuity of care.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with patients and staff, including handling sensitive conversations.
Report any patient concerns, changes in condition, or incidents promptly to a registered nurse.
Professional Responsibilities
Actively participate in mandatory training and learning opportunities relevant to the role.
Undertake competency assessments in line with Trust guidelines for Band 3 duties (e.g. venepuncture, ECG recording, or wound care if trained).
Maintain awareness of Trust policies, procedures, and values, working within scope of role at all times.
Take responsibility for own personal development and seek support from senior staff when required.
Working Conditions / Physical Demands
Frequent standing, walking, and assisting with patient mobility and equipment.
Regular exposure to clinical environments, including body fluids and medical equipment.
Requirement to manage emotionally challenging situations and provide support to distressed or anxious patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and Teamwork
Work closely with registered nurses, advanced clinical practitioners, consultants, and administrative staff as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Participate in handovers and team briefings to support continuity of care.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with patients and staff, including handling sensitive conversations.
Report any patient concerns, changes in condition, or incidents promptly to a registered nurse.
Professional Responsibilities
Actively participate in mandatory training and learning opportunities relevant to the role.
Undertake competency assessments in line with Trust guidelines for Band 3 duties (e.g. venepuncture, ECG recording, or wound care if trained).
Maintain awareness of Trust policies, procedures, and values, working within scope of role at all times.
Take responsibility for own personal development and seek support from senior staff when required.
Working Conditions / Physical Demands
Frequent standing, walking, and assisting with patient mobility and equipment.
Regular exposure to clinical environments, including body fluids and medical equipment.
Requirement to manage emotionally challenging situations and provide support to distressed or anxious patients.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of numeracy and Literacy
- Completion of a competency-based workbook (Care Certificate) or equivalent relevant experience to vocational level 3.
Experience
Essential
- Ability to adapt and learn in healthcare environment
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a care environment /NHS
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of working with the public
technical skills / Competencies
Essential
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (to understand and be understood)
- Ability to follow clear instruction and feed back to senior staff.
- Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative
- IT literate
Desirable
- Understanding of basic physiology e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.
- Venepuncture
- Simple wound dressings
- Performing ECG's
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding around basic patient care
- Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being
Desirable
- Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation;
- Have an understanding of ENT, Oral maxillofacial and ophthalmology clinics
other requirements specific to role
Essential
- Ability to communicate with all levels of staff
- Ability to exchange factual information accurately
- Ability to deal with sensitive situations
Desirable
- Ability to deal with difficult patient/ relatives and clinicians
- Is adaptable to to different clinical areas
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of numeracy and Literacy
- Completion of a competency-based workbook (Care Certificate) or equivalent relevant experience to vocational level 3.
Experience
Essential
- Ability to adapt and learn in healthcare environment
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a care environment /NHS
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of working with the public
technical skills / Competencies
Essential
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (to understand and be understood)
- Ability to follow clear instruction and feed back to senior staff.
- Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative
- IT literate
Desirable
- Understanding of basic physiology e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.
- Venepuncture
- Simple wound dressings
- Performing ECG's
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding around basic patient care
- Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being
Desirable
- Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation;
- Have an understanding of ENT, Oral maxillofacial and ophthalmology clinics
other requirements specific to role
Essential
- Ability to communicate with all levels of staff
- Ability to exchange factual information accurately
- Ability to deal with sensitive situations
Desirable
- Ability to deal with difficult patient/ relatives and clinicians
- Is adaptable to to different clinical areas
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.
