Healthcare Support Worker Recruitment Campaign Across Hampshire!

Are you kind, caring, and ready to make a difference? Join the NHS as a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) and help provide essential care to patients across Hampshire.

Whether you are looking for a career change or seeking secure, rewarding work, this is your chance to grow your career in healthcare. No experience? No problem! We offer tailored training to help you succeed.

As part of a supportive team, you will work alongside healthcare professionals to care for patients in various settings, including wards and outpatient areas. Your role will involve helping patients with daily tasks like eating, bathing, and moving, while ensuring their safety and dignity.

We are looking for people who are:

• Compassionate and empathetic.
• Great communicators and team players.
• Organised and adaptable.

To express your interest please click on the link below.

Main Duties of the Job

As a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW), you’ll be part of a dedicated team providing essential care to patients across a variety of settings. This role is ideal for those who are organised, adaptable, and have a deep sense of empathy. Whether you're experienced in healthcare or new to the sector, our tailored training programme will support you in developing your skills and ensuring you are confident in your role.

You will work closely with a registered healthcare professional to deliver compassionate care, supporting patients in a range of environments including adult and child wards, outpatient areas, and more. You will take all possible steps to safeguard the welfare, safety and security of patients, visitors and staff. Your work will make a significant impact on the well-being of patients and their families every day.

This role requires effective communication, teamwork, and a commitment to maintaining high standards in everything we do. You must be a minimum of 18 years old to apply for the role and be willing to work a minimum of 23 hours per week. You must be able to commit to the standard shift pattern for this role which includes long days, nights, weekend and bank holidays.

Overview of the Organisation

We are a collaborative network of leading NHS Trusts committed to providing exceptional patient care and advancing healthcare services across the South of England.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are key healthcare providers in the south of England, collectively serving millions of patients. These hospitals offer a comprehensive range of services, from emergency and elective care to specialised treatments, ensuring high-quality healthcare for their respective communities. With a strong focus on patient care, innovation, and staff development, they are committed to excellence in medical treatment and education, supporting both patients and healthcare professionals in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Our Trusts create a supportive and inclusive working environment, providing opportunities for professional growth. By joining us, you’ll become part of a diverse, compassionate team, making a positive impact on the lives of our patients.

Job Description

The Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering care to patients. To achieve this, the HCSW will assist in the provision of high standard individualised care, under the supervision of the registered nurse/ practitioner / and others in the health care professional team.

1. Assist patients with activities of daily living, this may include all basic care including the feeding, bathing and repositioning of the patient under the supervision of a registered nurse/practitioner.
2. Assist with bed making, cleaning tasks, errands or general duties appropriate to the clinical area as required.
3. Respect and maintain the patient’s privacy and dignity at all times, whilst acknowledging personal beliefs and wishes of patients. Taking into account communication barriers, communicating effectively to deliver person centred care.
4. Where required collect any requested specimens, label correctly and send to the appropriate department, advising the registered nurse/practitioner.
5. Record patient’s personal property, clothing and valuables, where appropriate.
6. Share responsibility for key aspects of housekeeping and stock control. Demonstrating a good awareness of cost efficiency and ensure that the ward/unit environment remains a safe, clean and tidy area for both staff and patients.
7. Input information into patient records such as fluid balance (intake and output) and nutrition.
8. Responsible for the handover of the care of patients both formally and informally.
9. Assist in maintaining accurate patient care documentation in a variety of systems ensuring confidentiality and appropriate guidelines are adhered to.
10. Responsible for the safe and appropriate use of equipment, for example; a range of hoist and other manual handling equipment e.g. patient hoists, pat slides, and wheelchairs, therapeutic pressure reducing / relieving mattresses, static and electrical beds.
11. Responsible for the preparation and management of the healthcare environment & equipment used.
12. Perform moving & handling tasks relating to moving and handling patients, supplies, equipment, beds and patient trolleys.
13. Communicate on a regular basis with the patients, their relatives and the multidisciplinary team involved with the provision of care in a caring, compassionate and professional manner.
14. Promote and develop good relationships with patients, staff, visitors, other departments and services.
15. To help with the induction of any new staff to the clinical area e.g. HCSWs, patient administrators, porters, and students.
16. Complete and maintain core HCSW competencies and additional specific competencies related to area of work.

Essential Criteria

1. Completed care certificate or ability to complete within 3-6 months of appointment.
2. Completed secondary education.
3. Ability to move and handle patients and equipment.
4. Evidence of empathy, patience and dependability.
5. Ability to deal with a range of difficult situations.
6. Be able to take instruction / directions and work within the confines of the role.
7. Ability to cope with fluctuating demands and pressures of the role.
8. Requirement to be aware of and adhere to the care certificate standards.
9. Capable of completing core HCSW competencies and additional specific competencies related to area of work within 12 months of appointment.

Desirable Criteria

1. Previous Experience in:
   • Acute hospital setting.
   • Volunteer sector
   • Teaching Assistant
   • Nursing home carer
2. Capable of attaining NVQ level 3 in care with acute units corresponding to specialty or equivalent experience.
3. GCSE/Functional Skills Level 1 in English & Maths.
4. ECG placement training, basic IT skills.
5. Level 2 Health & Social Care. Level 2 English & Maths.
6. Dementia Awareness.
7. Basic IT Literacy / Keyboard Skills.