Healthcare Support Worker - Acute Medical Unit

NHS; Torquay; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant team at a leading healthcare provider as a Healthcare Support Worker. In this rewarding role, you will deliver compassionate care to patients and support a variety of medical cases in a fast-paced environment. Your responsibilities will include assisting with personal hygiene, monitoring vital signs, and collaborating with registered nurses to ensure high-quality patient care. This position offers a supportive work environment with opportunities for career development and training, making it an ideal choice for those passionate about making a difference in healthcare.

Benefits

Childcare at our nursery

Generous holiday entitlement (starting at 27 days plus bank holidays)

Staff discounts

Career development and training

24-hour employee support helpline

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent is essential.
• GCSE in English & Mathematics or Level 2 functional skills required.

Responsibilities

• Follow care plans and assist with personal hygiene and rehabilitation.
• Support Registered Nurses with clinical tasks and patient care.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Fine motor skills for clinical tasks

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to prioritize, organize, and work under pressure

Competency in record keeping

Empathy, sensitivity, adaptability, and stress management

Supportive and team-oriented attitude

Flexibility, reliability, punctuality

Commitment to diversity and equality policies

Appropriate healthcare competencies

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent

Care certificate

GCSE grade A-C (9-4) in English & Mathematics or Level 2 functional skills

Job description

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

#CaretojoinusTSD ? Start your career as a Healthcare Support Worker and make a difference.

The Acute Medical Unit (AMU) is seeking a Band 3 Healthcare Support Worker to join our vibrant team dedicated to delivering value-based care and supporting staff development.

This fast-paced unit manages a variety of medical cases, providing same-day and rapid diagnostics to facilitate discharge on the same day.

We seek a flexible team player with excellent communication skills, able to work shifts across our 7-day rota. This flexibility helps us provide high-quality patient care and supports a healthy work-life balance. Our package includes more than just salary.

For an informal chat, please contact our hiring manager, Hayley Chamberlain.

Main duties of the job

1. Follow individual care plans, including:
   • Bed making
   • Assisting with personal hygiene (hair, nails, oral care, shaving)
   • Pressure area care and continence management
   • Elimination assistance, including catheter care
   • Supporting rehabilitation with physiotherapy and occupational therapy
   • Assisting with meal choices and recording intake
   • Feeding and encouraging fluid intake, maintaining fluid balance charts
   • Recording nutritional assessments, weighing patients
   • Monitoring and recording fluid, food, and weight charts under RN supervision
   • Using equipment competently following training
   • Escorting patients for investigations or treatments, ensuring paperwork is ready
2. Assist Registered Nurses with duties after training, including:
   • Simple dressings
   • Assisting in outpatient clinics
   • Routine specimen collection and testing
   • Measuring vital signs (temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation)
   • Blood glucose monitoring
   • Venepuncture and cannulation
   • Basic life support

About us

Torbay Hospital provides acute care, supported by community hospitals, near beautiful locations like Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks. Plymouth and Exeter are also nearby for cultural and leisure activities.

We collaborate with allied health professionals in an integrated, caring team environment.

Additional benefits include:

• Childcare at our nursery
• Generous holiday entitlement (starting at 27 days plus bank holidays)
• Staff discounts
• Career development and training
• 24-hour employee support helpline

We value caring, commitment, inclusion, and quality, encouraging innovation and solutions-focused approaches.

If you share our values and are passionate about patient-centered care, you could be a valuable addition to our team.

Job responsibilities

• Answer calls, take messages, refer to RN
• Participate in ward meetings and promote effective communication
• Assist with risk assessments
• Provide direct patient care under RN delegation and document appropriately
• Assist with patient reception and admission

Full details are in the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please ensure your application addresses the role requirements and person specifications.

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent
• Care certificate
• GCSE grade A-C (9-4) in English & Mathematics or Level 2 functional skills

Knowledge and experience

• Experience in care or demonstrated caring nature/life experience
• Understanding of confidentiality and complex care needs, including safeguarding and mental health issues

Skills

• Basic computer skills
• Fine motor skills for clinical tasks
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and work under pressure
• Competency in record keeping
• Empathy, sensitivity, adaptability, and stress management
• Supportive and team-oriented attitude
• Flexibility, reliability, punctuality
• Commitment to diversity and equality policies
• Appropriate healthcare competencies

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

Employer

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £24,071 to £25,674 per annum, pro-rata.