Senior Healthcare Support Worker - Ella Rowcroft ward

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

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Torquay is seeking a full-time Senior Healthcare Support Worker for their Trauma and Orthopaedic ward. The role involves ensuring the safety and quality of patient care, with responsibilities ranging from vital sign interpretation to supporting the nursing team. The ideal candidate will have NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care and demonstrate compassion in a clinical environment. Competitive salary and benefits are offered, including career development opportunities.

Benefits

NHS Pension Scheme

Generous Holiday Entitlement

Staff Discounts

Career development and training opportunities

Employee Support access to a 24-hour helpline

Qualifications

• Experience in a care environment is essential.
• Must understand the need for strict confidentiality.
• Basic computer skills and fine motor skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and quality of care for patients.
• Take and interpret vital signs under supervision.
• Document patient care and adhere to protocols.

Skills

Basic computer/keyboard skills

Good interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to prioritize and organize work

Fine motor skills for venepuncture and phlebotomy

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Job description

Job Summary

Ella Rowcroft ward at Torbay Hospital are recruiting for a full‑time Senior Healthcare Support Worker, to join our fast‑paced Trauma and Orthopaedic ward to provide the highest achievable standard of care following the patient assessment of needs.

In your role, you will be supported with your development needs both from in‑house training and also from external courses whilst having regular supervision and appraisal to ensure you are helped to reach your maximum potential and development.

Our people are caring, committed, inclusive and focussed on quality. We focus on solutions and people’s strengths and encourage outside the box thinking and embrace innovation and change wherever it can drive improvement. If you share our values and vision and are passionate about working with people on what matters to them, you could be a real asset to our Torbay and South Devon Team.

#CareToJoinUsTSD

Main Duties

• Working clinically to ensure the safety and quality of the care given to your designated patients, under the indirect supervision of a registered nurse/practitioner
• Undertaking the following, but not restricted to, clinical tasks competently and efficiently:
  • Cannulation and Venepuncture
  • Wound Care
  • Performing ECGs
  • Ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration for patients are maintained
  • Competently taking and interpreting vital signs on adults
  • Able to make appropriate referrals to Adult and Child Safeguarding teams
  • Supporting and working with colleagues during the shift
  • Liaising with the wider MDT to maintain safety
  • Helping to facilitate the development of the service as part of the wider team
  • To participate in discussions and projects that will benefit the team, the patients and the ward as a whole
  • Working under guidance and in conjunction with the senior nursing team and the Matron
  • Following the Trust’s Policies and Protocols to ensure the safety of the department
  • Documentation

About Us

Why work with us – the team is flexible and promotes a healthy work/home life balance; therefore, your package with us includes a lot more than just your pay.

We are a 21‑bedded Trauma & Orthopaedic ward that provides you with the opportunity to work alongside our multidisciplinary teams to provide the highest standard of care to patients who often require surgery due to a wide range of injuries or for planned procedures. You will work effectively and without direct supervision alongside Registered Nurses/Practitioners within the ward as required on a daily basis.

Benefits

• NHS Pension Scheme
• Childcare at our day nursery
• Generous Holiday Entitlement, starting at 27 days a year (for full‑time workers) plus bank/public holidays
• Staff Discounts
• Career development and training opportunities
• Employee Support – access to a 24‑hour helpline

Job Details

• Date posted: 29 December 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part‑time
• Reference number: 388-7693295-PC&S
• Job location: Ella Rowcroft ward, Torbay Hospital – Lawes Bridge, Torquay TQ2 7AA

Job Responsibilities

Full vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification.

Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

Unfortunately, this post is not eligible for sponsorship.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification/experience (Essential)

• Care certificate (Desirable)
• English & Mathematics at GCSE grade A–C (9‑4) or level 2 functional skills (Desirable)

Knowledge and Experience

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

Specific Skills

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

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 Details

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Ella Rowcroft ward, Torbay Hospital – Lawes Bridge, Torquay, TQ2 7AA

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