Healthcare Support Worker - Lewes Intermediate Care Unit

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; Lewes; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS community trust in the UK is looking for a Healthcare Support Worker to provide care and support to patients in the Intermediate Care Unit. This role offers training opportunities to gain skills needed for further healthcare careers. Ideal candidates will be compassionate, possess good observational skills, and be willing to engage in personal care tasks. Flexibility in shifts and a commitment to confidentiality are essential. This is a rewarding position with numerous opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Excellent training and development opportunities

Flexible working options

Cost-effective workplace nursery

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Interest and experience in caring.
• Experience of working in a health setting.
• Able to demonstrate importance of confidentiality, privacy & dignity.

Responsibilities

• Be hands-on with patients and perform personal care tasks.
• Follow instructions and procedures.
• Work as part of a team while using your initiative.

Skills

caring and kind

cheerful and friendly

observational skills

ability to work as a team member

flexibility in shift/working pattern

Education

NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care or Care Certificate

Job description

Do you want to come and work for the NHS at a time when it needs you more than ever? Join us as a Healthcare Support Worker and make a difference every day!

You may be experienced in a healthcare setting or just with a passion to learn and care for people. We’ll train you on the job, supporting you to be the best that you can be. Your training as a Healthcare Support Worker will include basic nursing and therapy skills and we’ll support you to achieve the Care Certificate.

With experience and further training, you could further your career in health care opening opportunities to train as an Assistant Practitioner or Nursing Associate. With the appropriate qualifications and experience, you could also go on to train as one of the many degree-level healthcare professionals such as a Nurse, Podiatrist, Midwife or Therapist.

There are so many opportunities to progress with us!

Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes - GOV.UKHealth and Care Worker visa: If you’ll need to meet different salary requirements - GOV.UK

Main duties of the job

Our Intermediate Care Unit at Lewes supports inpatients with short-term recovery and rehabilitation. We aim to provide a service that supports patients to live independently and return home when it is safe for them to do so.

Lewes Intermediate Care Unit is a 26 bedded ward that provides short term rehabilitation for individuals over 18 years of age. Individuals are referred for rehabilitation following an acute worsening in their health such as infection, an acute hospital admission following illness or surgery, a fall, a new stroke.

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients’ homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part‑time, flexi‑time, annualised hours, and flexi‑retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief network
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values

Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job responsibilities

Skills and personal characteristics needed to join us as a Healthcare Assistant

To be a Healthcare Support Worker, you’ll need to be:

• caring and kind
• cheerful and friendly
• willing to be hands‑on with patients
• willing to do personal care tasks (washing, toileting, etc.)
• able to follow instructions and procedures
• able to work in a team but use your own initiative

You’ll also need:

• observational skills

For a detailed job description and main responsibilities please see the attached supporting documents. Internal rotation is a requirement of this position.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care or Care Certificate

Experience

• Interest and experience in caring
• Experience of working in a health setting

Skills and Knowledge

• Able to demonstrate importance of confidentiality, privacy & dignity
• Ability to work as a team member
• Flexibility in shift/working pattern to meet the needs of the service
• Desire and motivation to learn

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.