Healthcare Support Worker

Transformation Unit; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking dedicated Healthcare Support Workers at Band 3. Two entry routes exist: qualified/experienced HCSW and trainee HCSW on the National Living Wage, with a focus on delivering Safe, Kind and effective care across three site locations in Chester and surrounding areas.

You will undergo a 7-day induction and work towards Care Certificate within six months, with support for professional development and adherence to trust values.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care or equivalent knowledge.
• Completion of the Care Certificate within specified timeframe on commencing employment with the Trust.
• Experience in NHS settings and ability to promote patient independence.

Responsibilities

• Join Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to provide Safe, Kind and effective care.
• Complete the 7-day Healthcare Assistant Induction.
• Complete the national Care Certificate within 6 months of appointment.
• Refer to the Job Description for full duties and responsibilities.

Skills

Clinical skills

NHS experience

Patient care

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Care Certificate

Job description

Employer Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Countess of Chester Hospital / Ellesmere Port Hospital Town Chester Salary £25,760 - £27,476 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 04/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 19/11/2026

Band 3

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.

Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation

Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.

As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

Job overview

Are you looking to join Team Countess as a Healthcare Support Worker? We are seeking dedicated, motivated and hardworking individuals to join our Healthcare Support Worker workforce. There are two pathways into a Band 3 role, depending on qualifications and experience:

1. Qualified or Experienced Healthcare Support Worker
Salary: Agenda for Change Band 3

2. Trainee Healthcare Support Worker
Salary: National Living Wage (up to 6 months)

Eligibility – Qualified or Experienced Route

Applicants must meet one or more of the following criteria:

Qualification

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, completed via a government-regulated accredited organisation (as listed on

Experience

Applicants without an NVQ Level 3 may be considered if they have either:

• A minimum of 2 years’ substantive experience (not Bank or Agency) as a Healthcare Support Worker or Nursing Assistant in an acute NHS setting (experience may be at Band 2), or
• A minimum of 3 years’ substantive experience in a UK community care setting (e.g. nursing or residential homes), providing adult patient care and undertaking comparable duties.

Please note: Applicants who do not meet this criterion and wish to apply for the trainee route must apply via Job Reference: 210-2026-01-Q.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic individuals who want to help Team Countess provide Safe, Kind and effective care to join us.

The right candidate will be provided with a 7-day Healthcare Assistant Induction, introducing you to the Trust and ensuring that you settle into your new role.

Successful candidates will be provided with resources and guidance to ensure completion of the national mandatory Care Certificate within 6 months of appointment.

Please see attached the Job Description for full list of duties & responsibilities for this role.

Working for our organisation

The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies whcih is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Good luck with your application.

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification (e.g. A-Level’s, NVQ3) in Health & Social Care OR equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Completion of the Care Certificate within specified timeframe on commencing employment with the Trust.
• In-depth understanding of the healthcare support worker role.

Skills And Experience

• Experience of working in a clinical environment and undertaking a range of relevant clinical skills with proven competencies.
• Experience working in the NHS.
• Knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities of a health care support worker.
• Can demonstrate an understanding of the importance of promoting patient independence.
• Additional clinical duties and activities as defined by the area of work under the delegation of the registered nurse.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 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.

Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.

The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules

For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.

Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.

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.