Health Care Support Worker
Closing date: 19 February 2026
At Dart Ward, our 16-bedded, light, and spacious inpatient ward provides vital care to patients undergoing rehabilitation and end-of-life care after acute illnesses. The ward is thoughtfully designed with both patients and staff in mind, featuring a vibrant garden, comfortable breakout rooms, and patient beds offering scenic views of the historic church and castle.
As a Healthcare Support Worker with us, you'll become part of a warm, friendly, and dynamic team where everyone is valued and supported. We believe our staff are what make us truly special. In our team, we work together, support one another, and keep the atmosphere positive and fun - even on the tough days, we\'ve got each other\'s backs.
Main duties of the job
You\'ll play a key role in helping patients regain their independence and achieve a level of life-enhancing functionality. As a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) on Dart Ward, your role will involve:
* Supporting a diverse range of patients, providing compassionate care, rehabilitation, and end-of-life support.
* Taking and interpreting vital signs on adults and supporting with cannulation and venepuncture. You will be supported to ensure you can undertake these skills and competencies.
* Assisting in therapy sessions, games, exercise classes, and breakfast clubs designed to support our patients\' recovery.
* Ensuring patients receive the highest level of care, you will work as part of a close-knit team with 3 trained staff and 2 HCSWs on day shifts, and 2 trained for 2 HCSW staff on nights.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is building lasting relationships with patients, walking with them on their journey to recovery. As part of a personalised treatment plan, you will play a key role in improving patients\' lives and helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.
About us
Located in the historic and picturesque town of Totnes, our community hospital offers a unique and rewarding work environment. Based in the heart of Totnes and surrounded by stunning riverside views, the Community hospital is just a short walk from the town\'s vibrant high street, where you can explore local arts, culture, and enjoy delicious street food from the market hall or nearby businesses.
Due to varying day and night shift patterns not aligning with public transport, a full UK driving licence is required.
Job responsibilities
You will be responsible for:
Undertake training to perform high quality clinical interventions effectively and remain competent to practice these interventions, such as clinical observations, blood glucose monitoring, urinalysis, venepuncture, removal or urinary catheter, insertion and removal of peripheral cannulas, perform ECG, calculation of BMI, all following assessment and completion of clinical competency.
Assess a person\'s clinical condition, within the individual\'s scope of competence using tools such as, NEWS2 parameters, pain assessment tool, non-verbal signs of deterioration and know how to urgently escalate concerns appropriately.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
* Health and Social care level 3 or equivalent qualification/ experience
* Care Certificate
* English & Mathematics at GSCE 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
* Fine motor skills - for venepuncture, phlebotomy and other clinical tasks
* Good interpersonal and communication skills
* Able to prioritise and organise work
* Able to work under instruction, under pressure and as part of a team
* Record keeping competency in handwritten and electronic records
* Able to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, and to adapt communication style to circumstances
* Able to manage stress in themselves and others
* Able to offer support at times of emotional distress
* Willingness to undertake new skills and training
* Able to work as a team member or independently
* Ability to adapt behaviour to changing and challenging situations
* To be flexible, adaptable, reliable and punctual
* The post holder must demonstrate a positive commitment to uphold diversity and equality policies approved by the Trust
* 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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