Go back Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Healthcare Support Worker
The closing date is 31 October 2025
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of cancer patients?
As a Healthcare Support Worker, you will play a crucial role in delivering compassionate, patient‑centred care. Based on the Ricky Grant Day Unit and Turner Ward, you’ll be at the heart of providing essential nursing support, clinical interventions, and emotional care to patients undergoing cancer treatment. Whether assisting with personal care, performing vital clinical tasks like venepuncture and ECGs, or advocating for patient safety and wellbeing, you’ll contribute meaningfully to the patient journey.
We're looking for individuals with a caring nature, strong communication skills, and a commitment to excellence. If you're flexible, eager to learn new skills, and thrive in a fast‑paced yet supportive environment, this role is for you. In return, you’ll join a team that’s as passionate about your growth as they are about patient care, with access to robust training, career development opportunities, and the chance to make a real impact in a rewarding specialty. Take the next step in your healthcare career with us—where your dedication truly changes lives.
Main duties of the job
* Provide patient‑centered care in line with Trust policies, including personal care (e.g., washing, dressing, toileting) while promoting independence. Use effective communication skills to overcome barriers, offering reassurance, empathy, and persuasion.
* Undertake training to perform clinical interventions (e.g., observations, venepuncture, ECGs, cannula insertion/removal, urinalysis) and remain competent in these skills. Assess patients’ conditions using tools like NEWS2, pain assessments, and escalat[e] concerns appropriately.
* Work independently or within a team, prioritising patient needs, and demonstrate accurate use of equipment for interventions. Support patients at risk (e.g., falls, pressure damage) by following care plans and escalat[e] changes in condition. Promote mobility, independence, and mental stimulation through appropriate activities.
* Ensure adherence to Trust policies and maintain accurate documentation (e.g., care plans, observations, fluid/food charts). Assist with nutrition by supporting mealtimes and recording intake. Act as an advocate for patient safety, safeguarding from harm, and reporting concerns or incidents through the Trust’s system.
* Provide guidance to less experienced staff, ensuring safe practices, maintaining clinical environments, and performing quality control checks to uphold standards. Demonstrate Trust values and a professional approach in all aspects of care.
About us
You will be working with a friendly and dynamic team in a fast‑paced environment supporting patients on the Ricky Grant Day Unit and Turner Ward.
Turner Ward
Turner ward provides the in‑patient base for cancer medicine. It is an 18‑beded ward, shared with our Haematology colleagues and has one four‑bedded bay, three two‑bedded bays and seven side rooms. The ward is staffed by highly skilled specialist staff including dedicated dieticians, occupational therapists and palliative care. The junior medical team on Turner Ward consists of 1 Core Medical Trainee, 1 GPST, 1 F2, 1 F1. The junior medical team also assist in covering the oncology day unit alongside the SpRs and oncology speciality doctors (SAS).
Ricky Grant Day Unit
Ricky Grant Day Unit (RGDU) is located next to Turner Ward and provides out‑patient systemic anti‑cancer treatment (SACT) alongside a dedicated PICC line service and paracentesis clinic. It also hosts the 24‑hour telephone triage support line for patients on SACT, and a dedicated chemotherapy CNS team provide oral SACT clinics with home delivery. The trust uses the electronic SACT prescribing system ChemoCARE and the department is supported by a dedicated oncology pharmacist team with its own aseptic suite for the preparation of cytotoxics.
Job responsibilities
For the full detailed job description and main responsibilities please see the attached job description.
Qualifications and training
* NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification/experience
* Care certificate
* English & Mathematics at GCSE grade A‑C (9‑4) or level 2 functional skills
Knowledge and experience
* Previous experience in a care environment or able to demonstrate a caring nature/life experience
* Understands the need for strict confidentiality
* Working knowledge of complex care needs of some individuals/families including Safeguarding Children & Adults, Domestic Abuse and Mental Health
Specific skills
* Basic computer/keyboard skills
* Good interpersonal and communication skills, ability to adapt communication style
* Record keeping competency in handwritten and electronic records
* To be flexible, adaptable, reliable and punctual
* Fine motor skills – for venepuncture, phlebotomy and other clinical tasks
* Healthcare competencies appropriate to area of work
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
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