Health Care Support Worker

Acute Medical Unit; Poole; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Acute Medical Unit in Poole is offering a Band 3 HCSW role with comprehensive training and a clear progression pathway. The position supports patients with daily care, working across all shift patterns on a 24/7 basis at Poole Hospital.

Training, induction, and mentorship are provided to help you reach your potential and deliver excellent patient care. No prior experience is required; the role includes care certificate progression and potential movement to different bands depending on

Qualifications

• No previous experience required; training provided.
• Care certificate competencies may determine start at Band 3.
• Base Location: Poole Hospital, Poole (United Kingdom).

Responsibilities

• Providing high-quality personal care, assisting with washing, dressing, toileting, nutrition and mobility.
• Assisting patients to maintain comfort, dignity, privacy and independence.
• Record routine clinical observations and report concerns to a registered nurse.
• Assist with admission, transfer and discharge of patients.
• Maintain accurate patient records and documentation.
• Support nurses and the multidisciplinary team in delivering safe, compassionate care.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised clinical environment, adhering to infection control standards.
• Assist with specimen collection, stock management and preparation of equipment.
• Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers and healthcare team.
• Recognise changes in patient condition and escalate as needed.

Job description

We can offer fully supported training for the role as well as support and guidance to career progression. No previous experience is necessary, as we provide the training you will need to succeed in this role. We offer a bespoke full induction, support you through the care certificate and beyond, with mentors on the wards to help you reach your potential and deliver first class care to our patients.

This post is being advertised as a Band 3, however applicants that do not meet the required care certificate competencies will initially be employed as a Band 2. Applicants who hold a care certificate accreditation will start in post at Band 3.

Our HCSWs are invaluable to the trust and play an integral role in the wards and departmental teams. The role of a HCSW can be challenging but overall rewarding. Working alongside likeminded people, our teams are caring, compassionate and inclusive. We believe in "growing our own" and support progression pathways to staff nurse training applications.

Base Location: Poole Hospital

Interview Date: 18th November 2026

We are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week - therefore, we require everyone to be fully flexible across all shift patterns, including weekdays, weekends, nights and bank holidays.

Main Duties of the job include but not limited to:

• Providing high-quality personal care, supporting patients with washing, dressing, toileting, nutrition, hydration and mobility.
• Assisting patients to maintain comfort, dignity, privacy and independence.
• To Undertake and record routine clinical observations, promptly reporting any concerns or deterioration to a registered nurse.
• Support the admission, transfer and discharge of patients.
• Assisting with patient assessments, documentation and maintenance of accurate patient records.
• Supporting nurses and the multidisciplinary team in delivering safe, effective and compassionate care.
• Maintaining a clean, safe and organised clinical environment, adhering to infection prevention and control standards.
• Assisting with specimen collection, stock management and preparation of clinical equipment.
• To Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers and members of the healthcare team.
• Recognising and escalating changes in patient condition, ensuring timely intervention and appropriate care.
• Adhering to Trust policies, safeguarding procedures, health and safety requirements, and information governance standards.
• Contribute to positive patient experiences and support the smooth running of the Acute Medical Unit.

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

Please note this role has a planned move from Poole Hospital to Royal Bournemouth Hospital in March 2027.

UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.