Healthcare Support Worker - Emergency Department

NHS; Southampton; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in Southampton is looking for Healthcare Support Workers to join their Emergency Department. This role involves providing personal care, assisting with patient mobility, and collecting specimens under the guidance of healthcare professionals. Ideal candidates should possess empathy and excellent communication skills, with the opportunity to progress to a Senior Healthcare Support Worker position upon completion of the necessary training. Competitive pay and ongoing development support are provided.

Benefits

Ongoing learning and development opportunities

1-week full-time induction program

Qualifications

• Caring and compassionate nature essential for the role.
• Experience working in acute hospital settings is desirable.
• Must be able to handle patients and equipment effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care and support to patients as directed.
• Assist patients with hygiene and feeding.
• Collect pathological specimens and help patients move safely.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Patience

Ability to cope with fluctuating demands

Education

Completed Care Certificate

Completed secondary education

Capability of attaining NVQ level 3 in care

Job description

Overview

We are excited to offer an opportunity for Healthcare Assistants to join the Emergency Department at University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). As a large teaching hospital and Major Trauma Centre, we are committed to providing exceptional care for adults and children, with ongoing learning and development opportunities to help you achieve your career goals. The role supports your development with a 1-week full-time induction to complete your Care Certificate and integrate into the team.

What You Will Do

This role is diverse and will involve essential emergency skills such as applying plaster casts, venepuncture, and cannulation. You will be responsible for patient assessments and meeting care needs, while contributing to improved nursing quality, including initiatives related to dementia and mental health.

What We\'re Looking For

We seek a caring and compassionate healthcare assistant who thrives in a busy and rewarding environment. Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach to delivering high-quality care to all patients in the emergency department are essential. The Emergency Department operates 24/7, so some flexibility will be required to meet service needs. Our department is known for its innovative approach and is increasingly recognised for its clinical academic work in emergency care, enabling us to deliver expert care, education, and support to patients with complex needs during their most critical moments.

Applicants that have applied and been unsuccessful in the last 6 months, do not need to re-apply or submit another application.

Job responsibilities

As a Healthcare Support Worker, you will work under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or healthcare professional within the Emergency Department. You will help our nurses and doctors at UHS, by offering the highest standards of personal care and support to our patients.

• Washing and dressing patients and aiding in their personal hygiene
• Assisting patients to access and use toilet facilities
• Serving meals and helping to feed patients
• Helping patients to safely move around
• Assisting with bed making, cleaning tasks, errands, or general duties
• Collecting pathological specimens e.g., Urine, faeces, sputum
• Making patients and their families feel comfortable

Development

After you have completed your 1-week Foundation Induction you will attend an extended induction consisting of 1 study day per month for 5 months (total 5 study days). During this time, with the support of your line manager you will learn the additional skills necessary to be a Senior Healthcare Assistant, such as taking physiological measurements, maintaining patients’ skin integrity, and local skills including cannulation, catheterisation, and ECGs. Upon successful completion you will progress into a Band 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker role.

Person Specification

Essential qualifications and experience include completed Care Certificate or ability to complete within 6 months, capability of attaining NVQ level 3 in care with acute units or equivalent experience, and completed secondary education. Knowledge and experience also include the ability to move and handle patients and equipment, empathy, patience and dependability, ability to cope with fluctuating demands, and adherence to Care Certificate standards. Desirable experience includes work in acute hospital settings, volunteering, teaching assistant roles, or nursing home care. Trust values include Patients First, Always Improving, and Working Together.

Other information

This vacancy does not meet the Home Office threshold for sponsorship and requires candidates to complete a 9-month training period. We are therefore unable to accept applications from candidates who do not have the right to work in the UK or who do not have at least 9 months remaining on their visa from the start date of the role.

Details: Job title: Healthcare Support Worker (Band 2), Permanent, Full-time/Part-time. Location: Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO14 2AA. Application reference: 188-HCSW011025. Pay: £24,465 per annum (pro rata) depending on experience.

Employer: University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust. Website: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx