Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Below is a detailed description of the role.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a compassionate, caring and communicative individual to join our Emergency Department as a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW). This role is ideal for those who want to grow their career in a world‑class teaching hospital and who thrive in a busy and rewarding environment.
Our tailored training programme supports you to develop in your career. You will start with a 1‑week full‑time induction, followed by ongoing training and development opportunities.
Benefits
* A minimum of 35 days paid holiday
* A two‑week intensive induction to set you up for success in your new role
* Guaranteed contracted hours
* Access to extra shifts and overtime pay for those who want it
* A mentoring team dedicated to our HCSWs, providing emotional, personal and professional support
* Central hospital location with excellent transport links and reduced fares for UHS staff
* Continued professional development
* A generous pension scheme and life insurance
* Access to NHS discounts including popular high‑street and online retailers
* On‑site subsidised restaurants, cafés and high‑street shops
* Financial awards through our refer‑a‑friend scheme
* An internal mover process allowing you to transfer wards every six months if you wish
* Support with flexible working requests, regularly reviewed against service need
We are only considering Full‑Time applications at this time. However, you must be able to work a variety of shifts and days of the week, as UHS operates a 24‑hour a day, 365 days a year service.
Unfortunately, we cannot currently offer set shifts such as nights only.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Here at UHS, we recognise that Healthcare Support Workers from different employment backgrounds can bring a breadth of knowledge and new ideas.
What You Will Do
This role is diverse and will involve essential emergency skills such as applying plaster casts, venepuncture and cannulation. You will be responsible for patient assessments and meeting care needs, while also contributing to improved nursing quality, including initiatives related to dementia and mental health.
What We're Looking For
We seek a caring and compassionate healthcare assistant who thrives in a busy and rewarding environment. Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach to delivering high‑quality care to all patients in the emergency department are essential. The Emergency Department operates 24/7, so some flexibility will be required to meet service needs.
Our department is known for its innovative approach and is increasingly recognised for its clinical academic work in emergency care, enabling us to deliver expert care, education and support to patients with complex needs during their most critical moments.
Applicants that have applied and were unsuccessful in the last 3 months do not need to re‑apply or submit another application.
As a Healthcare Support Worker, you will work under the guidance of a registered nurse or other healthcare professional within the Emergency Department. You will help our nurses and doctors at UHS by offering the highest standards of personal care and support to our patients.
Your Main Day‑to‑day Duties Will Include
* Washing and dressing patients and aiding in their personal hygiene
* Assisting patients to access and use toilet facilities
* Serving meals and helping to feed patients
* Helping patients to safely move around
* Assisting with bed making, cleaning tasks, errands or general duties
* Collecting pathological specimens (e.g., urine, faeces, sputum)
* Making patients and their families feel comfortable
Development
* Work a variety of shifts as part of your roster. Shifts may start from 7am and end around 3pm, short days & long days (generally 8–12 hours between 7am and 8pm), evenings until around 8pm and nights from around 7pm until 7am the next day.
* Be available to work any day from Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays.
* Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
* Be happy to carry out a variety of tasks, including personal hygiene care to patients of all ages and backgrounds.
This vacancy does not meet the Home Office threshold for sponsorship and requires candidates to complete a 9‑month training period. We are therefore unable to accept applications from candidates who do not have the right to work in the UK or who do not have at least 9 months remaining on their visa from the start date of the new role.
Person specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
* Completed care certificate or ability to complete within 6 months of appointment
* 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 related to area of work within 12 months of appointment
Desirable criteria
* Previous experience in an acute hospital setting, HCA experience, volunteer sector, teaching assistant, nursing home carer or experience in a caring role
* Understanding of acute hospital environment and the role of HCA
Trust Values
Essential criteria
* Patient First
* Always Improving
* Working Together
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