Healthcare Support Worker

Job Overview
Our Acute Medical Unit is looking for experienced, enthusiastic, and motivated Healthcare Support Workers to join their team!

• Our multidisciplinary team consists of Acute Medicine Consultants, pharmacists, junior doctors, and physiotherapists, who work collaboratively to treat a complex mix of emergency department patients.
• We’re one of two designated Major Trauma centres in the Southwest, working closely with a network of local unit trauma units to provide specialized trauma care and rehabilitation to patients with multiple serious injuries.
• We're passionate about offering progression pathways to our members of staff!

You will need to be flexible to accommodate the various shift times and patterns within the department including a full range of long days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays.

We are looking to recruit experienced healthcare support workers; however, we would also be happy to support newcomers (at Band 2) and offer full support. Applicants who meet the specific criteria will be considered for a Band 3 role.

Please note, this role does not currently meet the salary requirement for visa sponsorship. From the 9th April 2025, the minimum salary required for a Skilled Worker visa became £25,000 per year. While this role may be offered at a higher point on the pay scale depending on relevant NHS experience, most new starters are appointed at the bottom of the band, which does not meet the salary threshold.

Main duties of the job
As a Healthcare Support Worker, you will be involved with direct patient care while maintaining the privacy and dignity of patients. You will be working alongside a registered nurse to provide essential nursing care and helping your patients with daily living tasks such as:

• Helping patients feel comfortable and move around.
• Monitoring patients and performing basic health checks.
• Washing, dressing patients, and helping them go to the toilet.
• Serving meals and helping to feed patients.

Skills
Upon successful completion of clinical skills training, as a Senior Healthcare Support Worker, you will also be expected to carry out a range of clinical duties with minimal or no supervision, including:

• Blood pressure monitoring.
• Oxygen saturation levels.
• Body temperature.
• Pulse rate and respiration rate.
• Glucose monitoring.
• Wound swab.
• Collection and testing of urine, faecal, and sputum samples.

While completing these tasks, the underlying aim is to deliver high-quality patient care at all times.

Working for our organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialties. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our service.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups. NBT always tries to uphold its core positive values which are Care, Respectful, Ambitious, and Support.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Nursing Care

• Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
• Duties are delegated to you in line with care plans.
• Not all duties are routine, and you will need to use your knowledge, experience, and understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility.
• To carry out a range of clinical duties with minimal or no supervision, including blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation levels, body temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate, glucose monitoring, collection and testing of urine, faecal, and sputum samples, and wound swabs ensuring delivery of high-quality patient care at all times. NB: this list is not exhaustive and will vary depending on area of work.
• Participate in patient assessment providing high-quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.
• 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.
• Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies.
• Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.
• Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.
• Maintain accurate records relating to communication with patients, relatives, and members of the multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills.
• Ensure equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty.
• Work effectively as part of a team.

Person specification
Qualifications And Training
Essential criteria

• One of the following:
  • Level 3 (SCQF – 6): - City and Guilds 3
  • NVQ 3
  • BTEC National Diploma
  • Experience equivalent to the above qualifications
  • GCSE grade A- C (grade 4 and above) or equivalent in English
  • GCSE grade A- C (grade 4 and above) or equivalent in Maths
  • Completion of Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Healthcare Support Worker)
  • Or equivalent experience (a minimum of 12 months)
  • Completion of the Care Certificate

Desirable criteria

• Completion of venepuncture and physiological measurements competencies

Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria

• At least 12 months experience of working in a health or social care setting
• Prior experience as a support worker
• Evidence of ability to work as a member of a team
• Good time management skills and prioritising work
• Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in an acute setting

Skills And Abilities
Essential criteria

• Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
• Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
• Ability to work with minimum supervision to a high standard
• IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills