Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Support Worker - Stroke Unit

The closing date is 11 August 2025

Job summary

Are you a dynamic and focused individual ready to take the next step in your career progression with a particular interest in acute stroke? If so, we would love for you to come and join our developing multidisciplinary team.

Our stroke services are growing- soon to become a 30 bedded unit, including two HASU bays

We are looking for Healthcare Assistants/ Healthcare Support Workers to join us on this amazing journey of expansion and growth, bringing new opportunities to the stroke unit.

The stroke unit boasts the most friendly and welcoming team atmosphere with fantastic opportunities to progress your career.

The 23 bedded Acute Stroke Unit cares for patients requiring close monitoring and observation, encompassing acute care skills, following thrombolysis and repatriation following specialist intervention such as thrombectomy as well as patients requiring rehabilitation needs.

You would be joining us at such an exciting time in an area that will give you the chance to quickly expand your knowledge in a fast paced but supportive environment. There are so many reasons to join us.

Main duties of the job

In this role you will:

Provide support to the Nursing and MDT in the running of the ward.
Provide excellent care to your patients.
Learn to work with various NHS systems in order to provide the best care possible.

To succeed in this role you should have:

Excellent communication skills and be able to engage with other team members effectively, liaise with fellow professionals to support the safe care of our patients.
The ability to use your own initiative and be responsive to instruction.
A willingness to learn.

About us

In return we can offer you:

An attractive benefits package including competitive hourly rate, brilliant leave entitlement, NHS discount, NHS pensions and more!
Access to first class training to support you in your role, whether you are in your first years of healthcare, or progressing your existing career. This includes a week of initial training which will result in you achieving a Care Certificate.
Functional Skills.
A truly special environment as part of #TeamDCH.
The opportunity to progress to Band 3 where suitable.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Please be aware that this role is not CURRENTLY eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants should be aware of the requirement to independently obtain ongoing right to work in the UK beyond the expiry of any temporary or time-limited permissions. Evidence of this will need to be shared with the HR Team to ensure our records remain up to date.

Date posted

28 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year Per Annum (Band 3 with completed care certificate)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

405-25-CS314STR

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at recruitment@dchft.nhs.ukif you are unable to view or download the attachment.

We are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please contact us at recruitment@dchft.nhs.ukif you are unable to view or download the attachment.

Person Specification

Skills and Abilities

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
Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times
Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Manages stress levels effectively
Able to work in a busy environment and manage own workload
Be able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role
IT Literate

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Experience of working in a team under appropriate supervision
Able to demonstrate an understanding of principles of effective communication and care giving
Understanding of basic hygiene skills
Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
Able to listen to advice from colleagues, agree a plan of action and implement
Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being
Awareness of manual handling of patients, using lifting aids

Education Qualifications & Training

Essential

Evidence of Secondary Education to include an understanding of literacy and numeracy
Level 2 healthcare certificate (or willing to complete) or equivalent relevant experience

Person Specification

Skills and Abilities

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
Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times
Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Manages stress levels effectively
Able to work in a busy environment and manage own workload
Be able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role
IT Literate

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Experience of working in a team under appropriate supervision
Able to demonstrate an understanding of principles of effective communication and care giving
Understanding of basic hygiene skills
Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
Able to listen to advice from colleagues, agree a plan of action and implement
Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being
Awareness of manual handling of patients, using lifting aids

Education Qualifications & Training

Essential

Evidence of Secondary Education to include an understanding of literacy and numeracy
Level 2 healthcare certificate (or willing to complete) or equivalent relevant experience

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)