Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Healthcare Support Worker
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 2/3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
432-HR317-25
Employer
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Colchester General Hospital
Town
Colchester
Salary
£24,169 - £25,674 pro rata, per annum + unsocial hours payments
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
15/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Support Worker - Colchester and Ipswich

NHS AfC: Band 2/3

We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of the ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole.  The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.

 

Job overview

Are you passionate about patient care and looking to start or develop your career in healthcare? We are recruiting Senior/Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) at Bands 2 & 3, offering fantastic opportunities for career progression into nursing, allied health professions, or specialist areas such as theatres.

Our recruitment approach focuses on supporting your professional growth through Apprenticeship programmes that develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to deliver high-quality patient care.

We have opportunities across all areas of the Trust, and we welcome applications from individuals with or without prior healthcare experience who are eager to build a career in the NHS.

Our assessment day is designed to establish your skills and experience, and to signpost you to the right pathway.  If successful you will be offered one of the following pathways:

  • Recruitment to band 3 for those with relevant previous experience and/or qualifications, and the opportunity to complete a level 3 apprenticeship
  • Recruitment to band 2 to upskill you into clinical care, and the opportunity to complete either a level 3 apprenticeship, or join our level 2 HCSW Academy
  • Recruitment to a band 2 in our HCSW Academy for those new to care or with little prior experience (Please see attached Apprentice Flyer)
  •  

Main duties of the job

Applicants must be able to meet & provide the following:

  • Attend an Assessment Day in Colchester on Thursday, 26th June 2025
  • HCSW Academy Starters will need to commit to a start date of Monday, 01 September 2025 
  • Have residency status that allows you to work. Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for these roles. 
  • Meet pre employment requirements including ability to provide references to cover the last three years/satisfactory DBS check & Occupational Health requirement
  • As you will be working shifts including nights you must be 18 or older at commencement 

Working for our organisation

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes. 

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. 

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. 

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services. 

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.   

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients. 

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.   

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. 

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience in an healthcare setting
Desirable criteria
  • Experience within an acute care setting

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Awareness of physical, psychological and spiritual needs of patient's relatives and carers.
  • Awareness of the nature of the carers role in assisting patients to fulfil basic human needs
  • Knowledge of clinical procedures and observations
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding of risk management, health and safety issues, including safe manual handling.

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Care certificate achieved or demonstrable relevant skills
  • Evidence of completed competencies as part of a professional portfolio
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of functional skills or willingness to undertake
  • Willingness to undertake further study

Employer certification / accreditation badges

No smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.NHS Pastoral CareDisability confident committedStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Debbie McArthur
Job title
Head of Apprenticeships
Email address
[email protected]
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies