Healthcare Support Worker - Prospect EA

NHS; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Health Care Support Worker to join the team at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in Rochdale. The role involves providing compassionate care and support to patients in various inpatient settings while working alongside qualified nursing staff. Ideal candidates will have experience in care settings and possess strong interpersonal skills. This full-time opportunity offers a salary of £24,937 to £26,598 per annum with generous benefits including pension and flexible working options.

Benefits

Career development

Flexible working options

Staff wellbeing service

Generous pension scheme

Qualifications

• Completion of Fundamental Care Certificate or willingness to complete.
• Good command of the English language both written and spoken.
• Experience in a care setting as a health care support worker.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful relationships with patients and their carers.
• Accurately record observations and nursing care.
• Assist patients with personal hygiene and meals.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Empathy

Basic IT skills

Education

GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths

Level 2 Vocational qualification in Care

Job description

Job summary

Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives?

Join our dedicated team at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust as a Health Care Support Worker in our Inpatient Services.

What we offer

• Career development
• Mentoring and coaching opportunities to support your growth
• Flexible working options to support your work‑life balance
• Comprehensive staff wellbeing service
• Generous NHS pension scheme and staff benefits package
• A Trust‑wide commitment to diversity, inclusion and psychological safety

As a Health Care Support Worker, you will be an essential part of our team, providing compassionate care and support to our patients. You'll work closely with our qualified nursing staff to deliver high‑quality care and help establish care plans.

This role is perfect for someone who is empathetic, dedicated, and eager to contribute to the well‑being of our patients.

We're recruiting across a range of inpatient settings, including:

• Adult and older adult acute mental health wards
• Psychiatric intensive care wards
• Rehabilitation and high support wards

You’ll be working alongside dedicated multidisciplinary teams, using your skills to deliver person‑centred care in line with our values of kindness, fairness, ingenuity and determination.

Whether you’re early in your career or looking to grow, this is your chance to shape the future of mental health care in Greater Manchester – and experience the difference of working in a Trust that puts staff and patients first.

Main duties of the job

• Engage with Patients: Build meaningful relationships with patients and their carers, providing emotional support and effective communication.
• Document Care: Accurately record observations and nursing care in line with Trust policies, using Electronic Patient Records (EPR) or PARIS.
• Promote Safety: Ensure the safety, well‑being, and interests of clients, staff, and visitors.
• Assist with Personal Care: Help patients with personal hygiene, bathing, toileting, and dressing, always respecting their privacy and dignity.
• Support at Mealtimes: Assist patients with their meals, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition and hydration.
• Mentor New Staff: Act as a role model and mentor for new Health Care Support Workers, supporting them in completing their Care Certificate.
• Clinical Observations: Undertake and report clinical observations, therapeutic observation.
• Maintain Cleanliness: Participate in maintaining a clean, tidy, and safe ward environment, adhering to infection control policies.
• Professional Development: Engage in mandatory training and take responsibility for your personal development.

About us

Why choose Pennine Care?

• Top mental health trust to work for in the North of England – NHS Staff Survey 2024
• A culture that supports professional autonomy and values nursing leadership
• A clear commitment to safe staffing levels and quality patient care
• A forward‑thinking Trust focused on creating the conditions for great nursing care to thrive
• A genuinely supportive environment where your skills and compassion are recognised

You might currently be in another NHS Trust, the private sector, or working through an agency. You might be based in Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, or the wider North West. Wherever you are in your career – if you’re looking for safer staffing, better support, and meaningful development, Pennine Care is ready to welcome you.

Job details

Date posted: 18 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 311‑F869‑25

Job location: Birch Hill Hospital, Rochdale, OL12 9QB

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

• GCSE (or equivalent level of education) with grade D/E (2/3) or above in English and Maths or functional skills level 1.
• Level 2 Vocational (or equivalent) qualification in Care, plus demonstrable experience equivalent to Level 3.
• Completion of Fundamental Care Certificate or willingness to complete.

Experience

• Experience of working with diverse groups of people developing a range of basic care skills.
• Previous experience of working in a care setting as a nursing assistant/healthcare support worker developing competencies in basic clinical care.
• Experience of planning and prioritising own work under the direction of a qualified member of staff.
• Experience of building trust and rapport with people.
• Previous experience with people with Mental Health or Learning Disabilities or related clinical setting.
• Experience of carrying out clinical observations.
• Range of work procedures and practices, base level of theoretical knowledge.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation.
• Awareness of Mental Health and Mental Illness, its effects on the individual, family and friends; working knowledge of the Mental Health Act, with willingness to learn.
• Awareness of illicit drug use effects.
• Some awareness of early prevention of violence and aggression using least restrictive interventions and practices; willingness to undertake & complete PMVA training and engage in techniques as required.
• Willing and able to undertake and complete the required PMVA training, with commitment to maintain skills and attend regular update training.
• Able to recognise changes in a patient’s mental and physical condition and act appropriately by alerting the qualified practitioner or nurse in charge.
• An awareness of stigma and discrimination of people with mental health issues.
• Awareness of ward procedures and clinical observations.

Skills and abilities

• Basic IT skills – ability to use MS Outlook, Word, and willingness to be trained to use Trust IT systems and applications such as Electronic Patient Records or PARIS.
• Able to impart knowledge, supervise and direct the work of others under supervision.
• Can demonstrate good interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Good command of the English language both written and spoken.
• Ability to engage with people who are experiencing mental ill health and communication barriers.
• Able to respond sensitively to emotional distress and utilise communication skills to deescalate people who are angry or distressed.
• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations, displaying patience and empathy.
• Ability to keep confidential information, and awareness of Data Protection and GDPR.

Desirable

• Good organisational skills.

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.

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.

For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had 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 dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Pennine Care NHS FT

Birch Hill Hospital, Rochdale, OL12 9QB

Website: https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk