Job summary
- Main area
- Shaugh Ward
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 216-AM-S7527454
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University Hospitals Plymouth
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £24,465 £24,465 Per Annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Health Care Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 2
Job overview
Band 2 Health Care Assistant, on Shaugh Ward, Orthopaedic Trauma Unit.
The Health Care Assistant (HCA) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering personal care to patients and supporting Registered Practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate care. Support and supervision is provided by Registered Practitioners.
You will carry out a range of non-clinical healthcare tasks, under the direct supervision of the Registered Practitioner. To achieve this the HCA will competently perform the necessary aspects of care for patients, to agreed quality standards and in accordance with Trust values.
There will be opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, specific to your needs. Training will be provided to ensure you have the required core skills for a Band 2 HCA in your area of work. You will also be supported to obtain a Care Certificate if not already achieved.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
a) Participate in basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and reporting back to the Registered Practitioner to ensure high standards of care.
b) To follow all Trust policies and provide a safe and person-centred environment for the treatment of patients.
c) Participate in personal and practice development activities to maintain standards of care.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing, care (i.e. washing, mouthcare, toileting), recognising and meeting the specific needs of patients Orthopaedic patient.
- Provide and prioritise own tasks under the direction of registered nurse.
- To carry out clinical observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting all changes in patients condition to senior staff.
- To support maintenance of fluid balance and dietary charts, recognising, recording and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
- Undertake the escort of patients to Theatre/other departments under the direction of the registered nurse (when deemed competent).
- To support nutritional needs of patients by assisting with feeding and drinking, reporting on concerns about dietary intake to senior staff.
- An awareness of skin integrity over pressure points, recognising and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
- To recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and carers, and refer patients to senior staff
- Document and sign for all observations and care given with counter signature from a registered practitioner.
- To maintain his/her own professional development, attending courses/further training to enhance and optimise his/her role within the work area
For further details please see attached JD&PS.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Be able to work as a member of a team
- Demonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Training and qualifications are provided to enable the HCSW to comply with mandatory HCSW standards where you will obtain either: Accredited Vocational Qualification at Level 2 or equivalent relevant demonstrable experience. Note that if you are new to care, training will be provided to NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
Desirable criteria
- Level 2 QCF Diploma in Clinical Healthcare support • or • Level 2 NVQ in Healthcare Health & Social Care • Or • Level 2 in Health & Social Care (NVQ, QCF, RQF) • GCSE A*- D in English Language, or equivalent (e.g. Certificate in Adult Literacy at Level 1) • GCSE A* - D, or equivalent in Mathematics (e.g. Certificate in Adult Numeracy at Level 1)
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
- Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Zoe Young
- Job title
- Ward Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752437077
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