Job overview

A Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) is a core member of the team delivering personal care to patients and supporting registered practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate care.

You will carry out a range of non-clinical healthcare tasks, under the direct supervision of the registered healthcare practitioner. Your role is to provide compassionate care, to agreed quality standards and in accordance with Trust values.

There will be opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, specific to your individual needs. Training will be provided to ensure you have the required core skills and skills set specific to your area of work. You will also be supported to obtain your care certificate if you do not have this qualification.

***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

1. Develop the skills to obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
2. Under supervision follow individual patient care plans and report any changes immediately to the Registered Nurse/Assistant Practitioner.
3. Participate in basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and feeding back to the registered nurse to ensure high standards of care, in particular relating to skin
integrity and the alertness of the patient
4. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.
5. Ensure care is given in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
6. Ensure that the patients bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible and that the person has what they need within easy reach.
7. Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.
8. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies
9. Develop the skills to maintain effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care
demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills.
10. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty
11. Work effectively as part of a team

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. Tavistock is a small market town on the western edge of Dartmoor National Park. 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 team on 01752 432100. 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.