Health Care Support Worker

NHS; Oswestry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading orthopaedic hospital in Oswestry is seeking a Health Care Support Worker to assist patients pre and post-surgery, particularly in caring for post-operative hip and knee replacement patients. The role includes monitoring patient conditions, providing personal care, and supporting nursing staff. Candidates should have a related vocational qualification at level 2 and evidence of Phlebotomy/ECG training. This position offers development opportunities in a fast-paced and supportive environment.

Benefits

Outstanding professional development opportunities

Fantastic staff benefits

Qualifications

• Evidence of Phlebotomy / ECG training.
• Knowledge of personal care and related procedures.
• Demonstrable experience in a caring environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with daily living activities.
• Record patient observations including temperature and pulse.
• Communicate and liaise with team members effectively.

Skills

Patient centred focus

Good oral communication skills

Able to work under pressure

Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team

Education

Related vocational qualification at level 2

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

Health Care Support Worker

The closing date is 23 January 2026

We have 2 exciting opportunities for Healthcare Assistants on Clwyd Ward.

Clwyd Ward cares for post‑operative patients following hip and knee replacements. The ward is very fast‑paced, caring for up to 30 patients per day. The patient turnover is high. Working together with the MDT to enhance patient care.

The ward works closely with the Enhanced Recovery Programme/Team.

The role of the Healthcare Assistant supports the Registered Nursing team in the care of patients pre and post surgery and to aid the efficient and smooth running of the ward.

The role offers development opportunity to develop skills such as performing ECGs & Phlebotomy.

Hours available – 1 x 37.5 per week and 1 x 36 per week.

Under current Home Office Immigration Rules, this role does not meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria and the position is not therefore eligible for sponsorship. Applications from candidates that require skilled worker sponsorship will NOT be shortlisted.

Main duties of the job

Observing, monitoring and recording patients' conditions by taking temperatures, pulse, respirations and weight.

Communication with patients, relatives and carers.

Assisting with clinical duties.

Personal care including infection prevention and control, food, personal hygiene and overall reassurance, comfort and safety.

Promoting positive mental/physical/nutritional health with patients.

Provide patient care, which may require the use of physical effort to roll, manoeuvre and stand patients.

Assist other team members to maintain the skin integrity of all patients.

Assist patients with an appropriate dietary intake. Provide assistance and monitoring with eating and drinking as required.

Be able to handle waste body fluids, ensuring correct disposal according to Trust policies. Take specimens of urine, faeces, sputum, wound and other swabs, when requested to do so from a registered nurse.

About us

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.

In the National Staff Survey, 74% of our staff would recommend the Trust as a place to work and 92% would recommend the hospital to a friend or relative for treatment.

Joining RJAH is more than just a job – we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role. We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities – including our recently‑opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK). RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham. The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line. We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.

Job responsibilities

Under the direct/indirect supervision of trained staff, be able to use own initiative and be able to assist patients in all activities of daily living within own level of competencies stated in Level 2 Direct Care.

On a daily basis to receive patients, relatives and visitors to the ward, demonstrating effective communication and directing them to appropriate areas within the department & Trust & documenting appropriately.

Provide patient care, which may require the use of physical effort to roll, manoeuvre and stand patients. The use of manual handling equipment and training is essential, to reduce physical strain and maintain safety of the patient. Annual manual handling training is mandatory.

Assist other team members to maintain the skin integrity of all patients and have a working knowledge of all aids that are available to support this practice.

Provide a safe and clean environment for patients by having and demonstrating a working knowledge of all Health and Safety issues.

Assist patients with an appropriate dietary intake. Provide assistance and monitoring with eating and drinking as required.

To have a basic understanding in the safe use of wheelchairs, theatre trolleys, recliner chairs, commodes and other equipment used on the unit.

Ensure due regard is given to the customs, culture, values and spiritual beliefs of the patient, family, carers and staff. To uphold the Trust's Diversity/Equal Opportunities Policy.

Ensure due regard is given to the safety of patients' belongings according to Trust and local unit policies.

Be able to handle waste body fluids, ensuring correct disposal according to Trust policies. Take specimens of urine, faeces, sputum, wound and other swabs, when requested to be done from a qualified nurse.

Assist with escort duties as required. Chaperoning patients during medical examinations, assisting the medic and reporting verbal instructions to the qualified nurse.

Undertake and record nursing observations, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respirations, oxygen saturations, height, weight, blood sugar and urinalysis showing understanding of the normal ranges following training. Performing ECGs & Phlebotomy (when appropriately trained) reporting any abnormalities / concerns to a senior member of staff.

Act as a Link Nurse for the ward, with the support of a registered nurse.

Communicate and liaise well with other team members, contributing to the Safety Huddle.

Provide information to relatives and family as appropriate.

Basic life support skills are essential and will be updated at least yearly.

Ability to call help and support staff in the event of an emergency.

Be accountable for own practice and take every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve knowledge and professional competence.

Attend relevant in‑house training sessions which is pertinent to own clinical practice, to enhance knowledge and skill, maintaining competencies.

Maintain personal training records.

Participate in a yearly appraisal, setting personal objectives for own professional development plan.

As an employee of the Trust, you have a legal responsibility for all records (e.g. including patient records, financial, personal and administrative) that you father or use as part of your work within the Trust. The records may be paper, electronic, microfiche, audio, videotapes or x‑ray images etc. All such records are considered public records (under the Public Records Act 1958). You must consult your manager if you have any doubt as to the correct management of the records with which you work.

You are responsible for limiting your actions to those which you feel competent to undertake. If you have any doubts about your competence during the course of your duties, you should immediately speak to your line manager/supervisor.

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt NHS Foundation Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children and Adults very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the Trust in its duties by:

Attending mandatory training on Safeguarding children and adults.

Being familiar with the individual and Trust requirements under relevant legislation.

Adhering to all relevant national and local policies, procedures, practice guidelines and professional codes.

Reporting any concerns to the appropriate manager or authority.

This job description does not attempt to describe all the tasks the post holder will undertake. It does indicate the degree of authority, range of duties covered and the flexibility required for the job.

This job description may be amended in consultation with the post holder as developments evolve, and as part of the appraisal process.

You have a responsibility for ensuring that you are committed to maintaining a high quality service to patients by continual development of practice in the light of research evidence, National Service Frameworks, NICE Guidance and Clinical Guidance and by audit against clinically relevant standards.

To suggest and implement improvements to services, exercising professional responsibility, including lifelong learning within an open "no‑blame culture".

Qualifications

• Related vocational qualification at level 2 or equivalent relevant experience
• Evidence of Phlebotomy / ECG training

Experience

• Knowledge of personal care and related procedures
• Demonstrable experience in a caring environment
• Previous hospital experience

Skills and Competencies

• Patient centred focus and approach to work
• Able to work on own initiative and under pressure
• Able to work within a multidisciplinary team
• Have good level of oral communication skills

Knowledge (including specialist or technical knowledge required)

• Basic computer skills
• Evidence of computer literacy

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.

Address

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital