Community Support Worker

NHS; Totnes; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community health organization is seeking a Community Support Worker to join their dedicated team in Totnes. The role involves providing direct patient care, supporting health and wellbeing, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and a compassionate approach to care. This position offers opportunities for professional development and training within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a care environment or caring nature.
• Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding, and mental health issues.
• Willingness to learn new skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct contact with patients, including personal care and clinical interventions.
• Assess patients' clinical conditions and prioritize workload.
• Support patients at risk of harm and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Teamwork

Stress management

Adaptability

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Care certificate

English & Mathematics at GCSE grade A-C

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

Go back to Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Community Support Worker

The closing date is 01 June 2025

The Moor to Sea Community Nurse team covers Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Dartmouth, and Totnes, along with surrounding areas. We are a busy, friendly, and supportive team committed to staff development through education and training. Helping staff realize their potential in topics of interest and encouraging career pathways in Community Nursing are important to us. We are aware of the pressures on nursing staff and their impact on overall wellbeing and are open to reasonable adjustments to improve the working experience. We pride ourselves on delivering high standards of care and building relationships within our communities. We are working towards a more integrated approach to care delivery, collaborating closely with our Intermediate Care, Social Care, and Voluntary Care sector colleagues.

Main duties of the job

Provide continual direct contact with patients, including personal care, clinical interventions, and supporting their health and wellbeing. Contact frequency and level will be tailored to each patient's individual needs, as outlined in their care plan.

Ensure compliance with Trust and Department policies according to Health & Safety guidelines. Report any actual or potential risks to patients, staff, or the Trust to the nurse in charge. Demonstrate awareness of risk assessment and contribute to its management and prevention.

About us

Why Work With Us

The Moor to Sea Community Nurse team covers Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Dartmouth, and Totnes. We are a busy, friendly, and supportive team, committed to staff development through education and training. We value staff potential and career development in Community Nursing. We understand the pressures on nursing staff and their impact on wellbeing and are receptive to reasonable adjustments. We pride ourselves on high standards of care and community relationships. We are working towards integrated care delivery, in partnership with various sectors.

Job responsibilities

Undertake training to perform clinical interventions such as observations, blood glucose monitoring, venipuncture, catheter management, ECGs, BMI calculation, and others, following competency assessments. Assess patients' clinical conditions using tools like NEWS2, pain assessments, and signs of deterioration, escalating concerns appropriately. Prioritize workload independently or as part of a team, focusing on patient needs. Support patients at risk of harm, report changes in condition, and adhere to policies and procedures. Promote independence and support recovery, maintaining professionalism and trust values. Support patient activity and engagement, assist with feeding, and maintain accurate records. Act as a patient advocate, safeguarding from harm, and report incidents or concerns as necessary.

Provide supervision and support to less experienced staff, demonstrating safe practice and maintaining standards. Record all care accurately, including observations, risk assessments, and care plans. Promote nutritional intake, assist with feeding, and document intake accurately. Act as an advocate for safeguarding, reporting incidents and concerns promptly.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent
• Care certificate
• English & Mathematics at GCSE grade A-C or Level 2 functional skills

Knowledge and experience

• Experience in a care environment or demonstrated caring nature
• Understanding of confidentiality and complex care needs, safeguarding, and mental health issues

Specific Skills

• Basic computer skills
• Fine motor skills for clinical tasks
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and work under pressure
• Record-keeping skills
• Empathy, sensitivity, and adaptability in communication
• Stress management and emotional support skills
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Teamwork and independence
• Flexibility, dependability, and punctuality
• Commitment to diversity and equality policies
• Healthcare competencies relevant to the role

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post requires a DBS check due to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Moor to Sea Community Nurses, Main base, Totnes