Health Care Assistant - Swish

Somerset Nhs Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

NHS pension

Annual leave

Career development

Blue Light Card

NHS perks

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s SWISH team is seeking a Health Care Assistant to support sexual health clinics across Somerset. You will work with nurses and doctors to deliver compassionate, patient-centred care and learn specialist skills through on-the-job training.

The role offers opportunities for development within a supportive multidisciplinary team, with a focus on dignity, privacy and inclusivity while gaining experience across microscopy, vaccination support and pathways management.

Qualifications

• Essential: NVQ level 2 or equivalent within a health related discipline.
• Essential: Venepuncture (or willing to train).
• Essential: Experience in a healthcare setting.
• Desirable: Delegated clinical skills such as vaccinations.

Responsibilities

• Support clinical procedures, specimen collection and testing.
• Assist with vaccination activities and manage designated patient pathways on competency basis.
• Prepare clinical environments, maintain stock levels and equipment readiness.
• Support patients throughout their clinic journey, ensuring dignity, privacy and confidentiality.
• Undertake delegated tasks and training for microscopy and screening as required.
• Complete associated administrative duties.

Skills

Venepuncture

Patient care

Communication

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Education

NVQ level 2 or equivalent

Job description

Job summary

Would you like to develop your clinical skills while supporting patients to access high-quality sexual health services? We are seeking a motivated and caring Health Care Assistant to join our Somerset Wide Integrated Sexual Health (SWISH) team.

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a specialist service delivering compassionate, confidential and inclusive care. Working alongside experienced nurses and doctors, you will support a range of clinical activities, contribute to patient care and develop specialist skills through training and ongoing professional development.

Main duties of the job

Working under the guidance of qualified clinicians, you will support the delivery of sexual health clinics across Somerset. Duties include providing direct patient support, acting as a chaperone during examinations, undertaking delegated clinical tasks, maintaining clinic stock and equipment, and completing associated administrative duties. You will also have opportunities to develop specialist skills, including microscopy, vaccination support and delivering aspects of asymptomatic screening services following training and competency assessment.

Your supporting statement is an important part of your application -- this is your opportunity to tell us why this particular role interests you and what makes you a great fit for the team. We'd like to hear about the skills, experience and personal qualities you can bring, including any transferable skills that would help you succeed in the post, even if you don't yet meet every part of the person specification.

If you'd like to find out more about the service or team prior to application, we always welcome informal conversations and visits prior to application. Please feel free to contact us on xxx.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted: 26 October 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 184-OL-GR-6142

Job responsibilities

As a Health Care Assistant within SWISH, you will play an important role in supporting the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred sexual health services. Working closely with nurses and doctors, you will assist patients throughout their clinic journey, helping to create a welcoming and supportive environment while maintaining dignity, privacy and confidentiality at all times.

Your responsibilities will include supporting clinical procedures, specimen collection and testing, preparing clinical environments, maintaining stock levels and ensuring equipment is ready for use. As your experience develops, you will undertake additional training to enhance your skills and knowledge, including microscopy, vaccination support and managing designated patient pathways within agreed competencies. The role offers excellent opportunities for learning and development within a supportive multidisciplinary team committed to improving health outcomes across Somerset.

We are looking for an enthusiastic team player who enjoys working with people, is keen to learn and can adapt to a varied workload. In return, you will gain valuable clinical experience, ongoing professional development and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of patients accessing sexual health services.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ level 2 or equivalent within a health related discipline

Experience

Essential

• Venepuncture (or must be willing to work towards this with training)
• Experience related to a health care setting.

Desirable

• Delegated clinical skills such as give vaccinations

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Good organisational skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
• Able to communicate in a sensitive and non-judgemental manner
• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust to meet the needs of the service

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: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
• Address: Swish Millstream House, Castle Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4AS, United Kingdom
• Employer's website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact

Lead Nurse, Kerry Lucas, [e-mail], 01823428338

Privacy notice

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.