Senior Health Care Support Worker

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

The closing date is 30 April 2025

Job summary

An exciting, substantive opportunity has arisen within Torcross, coronary Care Unit for a Band 3 Health Care Assistant.

  • A Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering direct care to patients and supporting Registered Practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate health care to people in accordance with assessed needs and a care plan.

    You will carry out a range of clinical and non-clinical healthcare, or therapeutic tasks, under the direct or indirect supervision of the Registered Practitioner, in accordance with the Trust values.

    There will be opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, specific to your needs. Training will be provided to ensure you have the required core skills for a Band 3 HCSW in your area of work

    ***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans.

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 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.

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.

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.

1

You'll work alongside an experienced team of Consultants and nurses, providing all aspects of care of acutely ill cardiac patients.

You should have attained the Level 3 qualification, with recent experience of caring for acutely unwell patients in a clinical setting. You should possess good communication and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to work in a calm and methodical manner .

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 team on 01752 432100. 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.

Date posted

16 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year Per Annum, Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

216-AJ-M6608747

Job locations

UHP

Derriford road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.

2. Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans.

3. Ability to use your knowledge and experience to undertake non-routine duties and an understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility.

4. 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.

5. Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.

6. 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.

7. Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.

8. Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies.

9. Utilising skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.

10. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.

11. 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.

12. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty. This may include ordering supplies.

13. Work effectively as part of a team.

14. The SHCSW 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.

Professional

15. Demonstrate ability to access Trust policies and procedures and comply with those relevant to role.

16. Act, at all times, in a manner which demonstrates respect for privacy, dignity and confidentiality.

17. Embrace the Trust values and work in an inclusive way.

18. Act within limits of competence, ensuring actions support care, protection, and wellbeing.

19. Responsible for maintaining own skills, knowledge, and competence for the role.

20. Participate in team discussions / meetings as an integral member of the team.

21. You are accountable for your workload in accordance with care plans and for reviewing the effectiveness of care provided. Adapting, or escalating as required.

22. To support or guide the healthcare support worker.

Administration

23. Competent in the use of IT systems within the workplace environment.

24. Participate in the induction and orientation of newly appointed staff, learners and other visitors to the department.

25. Comply with Trust policy regarding information governance and the care of patient property.

Working Conditions

26. Dependent on work setting you may have frequent exposure to bodily fluids, distressed, or confused patients.

27. Occasional distressing and emotional circumstances when caring for patients with chronic illness or terminally ill.

OTHER

All Job Holders are required to:

  • Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn and improve.
  • Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.
  • Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
  • Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.
  • Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
  • Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust.
  • Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post.
  • Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk.
  • Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.
  • Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.
  • Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.
  • Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies and procedures.
  • Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.

2. Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans.

3. Ability to use your knowledge and experience to undertake non-routine duties and an understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility.

4. 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.

5. Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.

6. 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.

7. Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.

8. Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies.

9. Utilising skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.

10. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.

11. 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.

12. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty. This may include ordering supplies.

13. Work effectively as part of a team.

14. The SHCSW 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.

Professional

15. Demonstrate ability to access Trust policies and procedures and comply with those relevant to role.

16. Act, at all times, in a manner which demonstrates respect for privacy, dignity and confidentiality.

17. Embrace the Trust values and work in an inclusive way.

18. Act within limits of competence, ensuring actions support care, protection, and wellbeing.

19. Responsible for maintaining own skills, knowledge, and competence for the role.

20. Participate in team discussions / meetings as an integral member of the team.

21. You are accountable for your workload in accordance with care plans and for reviewing the effectiveness of care provided. Adapting, or escalating as required.

22. To support or guide the healthcare support worker.

Administration

23. Competent in the use of IT systems within the workplace environment.

24. Participate in the induction and orientation of newly appointed staff, learners and other visitors to the department.

25. Comply with Trust policy regarding information governance and the care of patient property.

Working Conditions

26. Dependent on work setting you may have frequent exposure to bodily fluids, distressed, or confused patients.

27. Occasional distressing and emotional circumstances when caring for patients with chronic illness or terminally ill.

OTHER

All Job Holders are required to:

  • Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn and improve.
  • Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.
  • Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
  • Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.
  • Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
  • Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust.
  • Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post.
  • Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk.
  • Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.
  • Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.
  • Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.
  • Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies and procedures.
  • Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.

Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • Demonstrable equivalent experience (NVQ Level 3 equivalent) as a Healthcare Assistant role a. Willing to undertake a competency based assessment at interview.
  • oOne of the following oLevel 3 (SCQF - 6): - City and Guilds 3 oNVQ 3 oBTEC National Diploma oExperience equivalent to the above qualifications

Desirable

  • Demonstrable HCA experience

Experience

Essential

  • oDemonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
  • oBe able to work as a member of a team
  • oDemonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
  • oUnderstands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives

works well within a team

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working in a team
Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • Demonstrable equivalent experience (NVQ Level 3 equivalent) as a Healthcare Assistant role a. Willing to undertake a competency based assessment at interview.
  • oOne of the following oLevel 3 (SCQF - 6): - City and Guilds 3 oNVQ 3 oBTEC National Diploma oExperience equivalent to the above qualifications

Desirable

  • Demonstrable HCA experience

Experience

Essential

  • oDemonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
  • oBe able to work as a member of a team
  • oDemonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
  • oUnderstands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives

works well within a team

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working in a team

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

UHP

Derriford road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

UHP

Derriford road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

ward manager

Geraldine Madar

gerry.madar@nhs.net

01752439121

Date posted

16 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year Per Annum, Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

216-AJ-M6608747

Job locations

UHP

Derriford road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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