Healthcare Support Worker - New Forrest Ward

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare service provider in the UK is seeking a Senior Healthcare Support Worker for the New Forrest Ward. In this role, you will assist registered nurses in delivering high-quality care, including monitoring vital signs and providing personal care. The position offers opportunities for skill development within a supportive team environment. Applicants should have NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care and previous care experience, alongside excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Shift work is required, covering nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent required.
• Previous experience in a care environment is essential.
• Understanding of confidentiality and care needs is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Support registered nurses in planning and delivering patient care.
• Monitor and record vital signs using the NEWS2 assessment tool.
• Assist with personal care and nutrition for patients.

Skills

Caring nature

Interpersonal skills

Computer skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

English & Mathematics at GCSE grade A-C

Job description

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Support Worker - New Forrest Ward

The closing date is 12 December 2025

As a Senior Healthcare Support Worker with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, you will be working together as part of a multidisciplinary, professional team to assist the registered nurses and senior clinical staff in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care. Our staff are committed to providing high standards of individualised care for the people who use our services, whilst maintaining their privacy and dignity at all times. HCSWs will have a great opportunity to learn new clinical skills in a supportive environment with an enthusiastic team for developing staff, with the potential for progression within the role.

Main duties of the job

• Observing, monitoring and recording of all vital signs using the NEWS2 assessment tool
• Providing personal care to patients to meet personal hygiene
• Supporting patients with nutrition, feeding and assisting with fluids
• Supporting patients with comfort
• Emptying catheter bags and recording output

Working under supervision of a registered nurse completing patient documentation

To participate in discussions and projects that will benefit the team, the patients and the department as a whole

Helping to facilitate the development of the service as part of the wider team

Following Trust's policies and protocols to ensure the safety of the ward

About us

Why Work With Us

The nursing team on New Forrest have come together and grown over the past three years as a new ward for the trust forming a bond that not many can say they share, which is very unique to us.

We are the trusts Diabetic and Endocrinology (D&E) ward, which is mixed with general medicine and acute mental health. There will be lots of opportunities for building and improving new ways of working, a bigger and better team, alongside learning about these specialities and we will do this by working in conjunction with both Nurse specialist teams and the Consultant team. With a great support network around you to be able to continue striving to be the best in what we do, which may lead on to different progression routes.

We are looking for highly motivated, caring staff with previous hospital experience to aid the enhancement of our team. The post involves shift work including rotation to night duty, and covers a 24/7 period covering bank holidays and weekends.

We promote a positive working environment where the health and wellbeing of staff as well as our patients is our priority.

Job responsibilities

As a Senior Healthcare Support Worker with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, you will be working together as part of a multidisciplinary, professional team to assist the registered nurses and senior clinical staff in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care.

Communication and Working Relationships

• To take part as requested in ward/unit meetings, encouraging effective communications between other staff
• To participate in team building/communication, and to develop a cohesive, supportive and effective team
• To work towards the agreed philosophy and objectives of the ward/department
• Participate in client and public involvement activities
• To liaise and communicate effectively with all parts of the multidisciplinary team to co‑coordinate person‑centred care
• To liaise and communicate effectively with all service users and relatives
• To ensure a cohesive working environment and effective team work in all assignments
• To liaise with the multidisciplinary team, coordinating patient care, communicating with relatives ensuring they have adequate information at all times
• To liaise with other departments ensuring information regarding the patient is given appropriately

Planning and Organisation

• At the direction of the Registered Nurses /Senior Clinical Staff, participate fully in the delivery of planned care
• Be responsive to change and able to work in an environment which has constant interruptions

Responsibility and Accountability

• Act with integrity and professionalism, ensuring that you are demonstrating responsible behaviours at all times, in accordance with our Trust values
• Be accountable for your actions and learn from mistakes. Be honest and share experiences, encouraging learning in others
• Supporting the wider team during peak activity or during absences
• To ensure high standards of care in accordance with agreed policies and procedures
• To work with registered nurses and senior clinical staff to maintain a clean and safe environment for clients and staff
• To be aware of clients emotional, social and physical needs, reporting back to senior staff responsible for clients care
• Provide information to enable the effectiveness of care delivered to be evaluated and accurate records maintained
• Record in the relevant documentation the care that has been delivered contemporaneously
• Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations
• Work collaboratively with registered / senior staff, other health professionals and hotel service staff to ensure clients holistic needs are met
• Update client IT systems in the absence of the ward / unit administrator where appropriate
• To liaise with ward / unit administrators regarding clients records for clinics / admissions / discharges
• Report any incidents, accidents or complaints to the person in charge of the ward/unit in accordance with Trusts policies

Please see our attached job description and person specification form for full details of the role responsibilities and duties.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

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

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous experience in a care environment or able to demonstrate a caring nature/ life experience
• Understands the need for strict confidentiality
• Working knowledge of complex care needs of some individuals/families including Safeguarding Children & Adults, Domestic Abuse and Mental Health

Specific Skills

• Basic computer/keyboard skills
• Fine motor skills - for venepuncture, phlebotomy and other clinical tasks
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to prioritise and organise work
• Able to work under instruction, under pressure and as part of a team
• Record keeping competency in handwritten and electronic records
• Able to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, and to adapt communication style to circumstances
• Able to manage stress in themselves and othersAble to offer support at times of emotional distress
• Willingness to undertake new skills and training
• Able to work as a team member or independently
• Ability to adapt behaviour to changing and challenging situations
• To be flexible, adaptable, reliable and punctual
• The post holder must demonstrate a positive commitment to uphold diversity and equality policies approved by the Trust
• Healthcare competencies appropriate to area of work

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.

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust