Healthcare Support Worker - Surgery, Gastroenterology & Trauma

The Methodist Church in Britain; Ashford; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 2 Healthcare Support Worker for William Harvey Hospital. The role focuses on fundamental personal care and supporting ward-based teams across five named wards, with a clear route towards becoming a registered nurse.

Applicants should be flexible across shifts and wards. Training is provided, with emphasis on patient dignity, safety, confidentiality, and high-quality care within NHS policies.

Qualifications

• Willingness to complete the National Care Certificate
• Experience working with people, ideally in frontline customer service
• Ability to work across areas and with shift patterns

Responsibilities

• Fundamental personal care, including bathing, toileting and dressing
• Support with meals
• Assist with patients' appearance

Skills

Compassionate care

Personal care knowledge

Basic computer skills

Communication and organisation

Patient-focused approach

Teamwork

Education

National Care Certificate

Level 2 Health & Social Care

Job description

A Band 2 Healthcare Support Worker post on the surgery, gastroenterology and trauma wards at William Harvey Hospital, run by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, with vacancies across five named wards. The work centres on fundamental personal care, including bathing, toileting, dressing and help with meals. The post comes with structured training and a route towards becoming a registered nurse, and it requires flexibility with shifts and wards. Visa sponsorship is not available for these roles.

What the job involves

• Fundamental personal care, including bathing, toileting and dressing
• Support with meals
• Assist with patients' appearance

Qualifications

• Willingness to complete the National Care Certificate

Experience

• Experience working with people, ideally in a frontline customer service role

Skills & knowledge

• Basic understanding of patients' needs
• Knowledge of personal care and related procedures
• Basic computer and keyboard skills
• Effective communication and organisational skills
• Patient-focused approach
• Ability to work as part of a team

Other

• Kind, compassionate and caring
• Respects equality and diversity
• Flexibility to work across areas and with shift patterns
• Adheres to Trust policies and values
• Confidentiality under the Data Protection Act, Caldicott Guidelines and local policy
• Responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Nice to have

• GCSE or level 2 equivalent in maths and English
• Completed Care Certificate
• Level 2 qualification in Health & Social Care
• Keen to develop knowledge and skills