Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Healthcare Support Worker
The closing date is 02 March 2026
Are you passionate about people and looking to continue your career in healthcare? Or as you have some healthcare experience you are keen to join an innovative and dynamic NHS Trust that’s really going places? Join us as a Senior Healthcare Support Worker (SHCSW), get paid while you continue to learn and develop your career with the Royal Devon.
Every day, you will make a huge difference to the lives of the people we care for, delivering a high standard of care alongside your colleagues. Providing personal care, promoting nutritional needs, and assisting in the recovery and recuperation of patients on their journey to better health are just some aspects of this essential role.
Main duties of the job
For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients stay healthy when they need it most.
About us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).
Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state‑of‑the‑art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world‑class care to our local communities.
Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you’ll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Job responsibilities
Our Senior Healthcare Support Workers (SHCSWs) form an essential and well‑respected part of our healthcare teams across a number of dynamic settings: in the community, in our acute hospitals, or within our theatres teams. You will be a valued member of the team through our comprehensive training and induction programme and our commitment to learning and development will satisfy even the most ambitious person.
The team
The South West Ambulatory Orthopaedic Centre (SWAOC) at Nightingale Exeter offers an amazing opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team and be part of a fast‑growing service. The team at SWAOC is excited to provide patients with a day surgery or short‑stay option for orthopaedic surgery, traditionally requiring an inpatient stay at an acute hospital. SWAOC combines the best of the UK’s established pathways in a single facility and, while initially concentrating on hip and knee arthroplasty, we have expanded the service to include foot and ankle surgery, soft‑tissue knee surgery and spinal surgery. We also complete pre‑operative assessments and help run the non‑sedated spinal and hip injection lists through diagnostics, continually developing our service and taking on new challenges. Our pathways are therapy and nurse combined – a fabulous opportunity to be part of something amazing.
If you are as excited as we are to provide this amazing service to patients from all over the South West, please submit your application by the closing date – we look forward to welcoming you to our team!
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. We care for our patients around the clock, so you will need to work a range of shift patterns – short shifts, long day shifts between 7:30 am and 8:00 pm and 12.5‑hour night shifts with an hour break in the ward areas. Please check this at your interview. Depending on your shift pattern and working hours, you may also receive additional enhancements to your pay.
Interview Date: To be confirmed
For further information please contact: Katharine Littlejohns, Clinical Nurse Manager (katharine.littlejohns@nhs.net) or Sarah Lewis, Clinical Matron (sarah.lewis84@nhs.net)
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.
Preference will be given to staff with Priority and ‘At Risk’ status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team. This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications, days off to study, CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills – wherever you are heading in the NHS, we’ll help you get there.
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work‑life balance through flexible working schemes and our family‑friendly policies. If you’re starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You’ll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will also have access to other benefits including:
* National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
* Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED‑rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter.
* Car lease schemes.
* The NHS Pension scheme – one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK.
Cycle to work scheme – These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in; we’d love to hear from you.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and it is 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
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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