Apprentice Healthcare Support Worker

Chelwest; Greater London; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking Apprentice Healthcare Support Workers to assist in wards and departments across London. You will work under qualified nursing staff to care for patients, perform basic medical checks, and assist with housekeeping tasks while learning on the job.

Successful applicants will complete BKSB tests and go through the interview process. Roles require day and night shifts, with weekend work as needed.

Qualifications

• Recent experience of working in a patient/client care setting or customer-facing environment
• Willingness to complete apprenticeship within specified timeframe
• Willingness to develop within health and care training framework

Responsibilities

• Support patients with care needs and basic personal care
• Undertake administrative and clerical duties as required
• Deliver specimens, test requests, notes or any charts as requested
• Escort patients to other departments
• Maintain environment clean, safe and welcoming to patients and staff

Skills

Empathy

Individualised care

Communication

Confidentiality

Care planning

Education

English and Maths Level 1 or equivalent

Care Certification

Job description

We are an award winning organisation providing care at two main hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—and a number of community-based services across London, such as sexual health and HIV clinics.

With 6,700 members of staff, we are proud to care for a diverse population of one million people. We are committed to ensuring that our workforce is just as diverse with a strong mix of skills and abilities.

Our staff are at the very heart of our organisation and we recognise the valuable contribution that each and every person working at the Trust makes. One of our Trust priorities is to be an employer of choice—a place where people want to start their career and to grow with us through continued education, professional development and support .

Main area Apprentice Healthcare Support Worker Grade Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship Contract 12 months (Fixed-Term) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Will be expected to work day and night shifts, weekdays and weekends.) Job ref 289-MR-24-A

Site Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Town London Salary £25,272 per annum plus HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 09/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

All applicants are required to pass BKSB (Maths and English Functional Skills) test. Successful applicants will proceed to the next stage of the interview.

Apprentice Healthcare Support Workers are a vital part of the team that supports the staff and patients in wards and departments throughout the hospital. Working under the direction of qualified nursing/midwifery staff, Apprentice HCSWs carry out a wide range of duties to care for, support, and provide information to patients and their families. They also carry out a range of housekeeping duties, as well as perform basic medical checks, such as taking a patient’s temperature, pulse and respiration rate. The role can be very varied depending upon the ward is employed. The role is about learning on the job.

The attitude and behaviour of an Apprentice Healthcare Support Worker is of far more importance than any formal qualifications. Suitable candidates for the role are friendly, caring and sensitive individuals, who are able to offer social stimulation as well as care to the patients they tend. They will also demonstrate the Trust values – Kindness, Respect, Safety and Excellence – in all aspects of their role.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Support Role

• Under direct supervision assist with the delivery of care plan as described by the Registered Nurse/ Midwife.
• Assist patients with their care needs as required reporting any change in the patient’s condition to the registered nurse/ midwife.
• Support the Registered Nurse/ Midwife and other health professionals with the mobilization or transfer of patients.
• Develop awareness of patients in pain and discomfort and report any changes in the patient’s condition to the registered Nurse/ Midwife.
• Have an awareness of patient’s dietary needs, delivering meals, providing patients with drinks where necessary and providing assistance with eating and drinking if required.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the different needs of individual patients and their carers/ families.
• Develop an awareness of vulnerable patients and their safe guarding needs.
• Under supervision, take and record the patients observations (e.g. temperature, blood pressure) as required and inform the registered nurse/ midwife of any changes in the patient’s condition.
• Support the patient’s with their elimination needs recording quantities and frequency on the relevant documentation charts as prescribed by the Registered Nurse/ Midwife.

Working for our organisation

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence. As part of our dedication to equity, we actively welcome applications from individuals from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that diverse teams bring and are committed to creating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered to succeed.

If you haven’t heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Will ensure the environment is clean, comfortable, safe, and welcoming to patients, relatives and all health care workers.
• Will be aware of and understand; basic infection control techniques, the disposal of sharps and universal safety techniques with regard to spillages..
• Clean and maintain equipment and make ready for use with the relevant labelling.
• Report any faulty or broken equipment to the Registered Nurse/ Midwife and label appropriately.
• Deliver specimens, test requests, notes or any charts as requested.
• Escort patients to other departments.
• To have an awareness of monitoring and maintaining, where required, stock levels.
• Keep all storage areas clean and tidy and in good order

Clerical and Reception

• Undertake administrative and clerical duties as required/ in the absence of the ward clerk/ receptionist.
• Deal with all enquiries politely and effectively in any circumstances.
• Ensure patients confidentiality and details are maintained at all times.
• Redirect all patients’ enquiries to the Registered Nurse/ Midwife.
• Ensure that all information is accurately recorded and files updated and that all documentation is accurately filed as directed.
• Make patient appointments and book patient transport, if required, as directed by the Registered Nurse/ Midwife

Communication

• Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward.
• Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.

Education and Qualifications

• Willingness to develop within health and care training framework
• Willingness to complete apprenticeship within specified timeframe
• English and Maths qualification Level 1 or equivalent
• Care Certification

Experience

• Recent experience of working in a patient/client care setting or customer-facing environment

Skills and Knowledge

• Able to provide individualised care and empathy
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of equality and diversity
• Able to demonstrate awareness of the importance of confidentiality, privacy and dignity
• Able to undertake routine personal care duties, escalating to supervisor when required
• Able to adjust to pressures in a continuously changing working environment
• Able to communicate effectively with patients, relatives and multi-disciplinary teams
• Able to plan and prioritise workload

Important

• There may be some occasions when we have to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date, this will be due to a high volume of applications. You are therefore advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please check your emails regularly (and your junk folder) as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
• In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
• During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
• Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.
• We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.