University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Healthcare Support Worker Band 2 progressive (Band 2-3)
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Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join our Trust. We are currently recruiting across multiple wards, and successful candidates will be allocated based on vacancy availability across the Trust.
Job Title: Healthcare Support Worker (Band 2 progressive to Band 3)
Contract Type: Permanent – Candidates must be able to work flexibly across a variety of shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays.
Under current Home Office rules, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
If you are joining as a Band 2, this position is part of a development programme that supports you to grow into a Band 3 role, with a pay increase upon successful completion. The programme is designed to help you develop new skills, gain valuable healthcare experience, and take the next step in your NHS career. If you are already working in a Band 3 HCSW role in the NHS, we will assess your experience and responsibilities against the competencies required for this position. Where these competencies are met, we will match your current pay and banding.
This role requires a 9-month training period, so applicants must already have the right to work in the UK for the full duration. If your current visa does not provide at least 9 months of remaining permission to work from the start date, we are unable to progress the application.
Main Duties of the Job
As part of our team, you will work as a Healthcare Support Worker under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or healthcare professional within one of our busy adult or child wards or outpatient areas. You will play an important role in supporting our nursing and medical teams by providing high-quality personal care and assistance to our patients.
At UHS, we value the diverse experience that Healthcare Support Workers can bring from different backgrounds. Previous healthcare experience is desirable but not essential — If you are beginning your healthcare journey or looking to take the next step, we would welcome your interest.
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We offer ongoing training and development to help you grow and succeed. You will start your journey with a full-time, one-week induction designed to support you in completing your Care Certificate, familiarising yourself with the hospital, and quickly becoming a valued member of the team.
Working for Our Organisation
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
In this role, your key responsibilities will include:
- Supporting patients with daily living activities such as feeding, bathing, washing, toileting, and repositioning under the supervision of registered staff.
- Performing observations, urinalysis, blood pressure checks, and support wound care once trained.
- Updating patient notes including fluid balance, nutrition, and care documentation.
- Operating hoists, beds, wheelchairs, and clinical devices safely after training.
- Helping with bed making, cleaning tasks, stock control, and keeping the area safe and tidy.
- Providing compassionate support, handle enquiries, and work closely with the multidisciplinary team.
- Helping to move patients and equipment between departments.
- Completing the Care Certificate and role-specific competencies with ongoing training.
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A Detailed Job Description and Person Specification Are Attached.
Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential criteria
- Patient First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience
Essential criteria
- Completed care certificate or ability to complete within 6 months of appointment.
- Capable of attaining NVQ level 3 in care with acute units corresponding to specialty or equivalent experience.
- Completed secondary education.
- Ability to move and handle patients and equipment.
- Evidence of empathy, patience, and dependability.
- Ability to deal with a range of difficult situations.
- Be able to take instruction/directions and work within the confines of the role.
- Ability to cope with fluctuating demands and pressures of the role.
- Requirement to be aware of and adhere to the care certificate standards: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/care-certificate.
- Capable of completing core HCSW competencies and additional specific competencies related to area of work within 12 months of appointment.
Desirable criteria
- Previous Experience in:
- Acute hospital setting.
- Volunteer sector.
- Teaching Assistant.
- Nursing home carer.
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