Job Summary
Job Summary
Join us at University Hospitals Plymouth and take the next step in your healthcare journey as a Band 3 Healthcare Assistant within our Specialist and Emergency Medicine teams. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference to patients and their families during some of the most important moments of their lives. You'll join a supportive, compassionate workforce where your kindness, reliability and dedication truly matter.
At our interview day, you'll have the chance to meet colleagues from a variety of clinical areas, from fast‑paced emergency settings to specialist wards delivering focused, expert care. This is your opportunity to learn more about the diverse environments you could work in, ask questions, and discover where you feel you can thrive. Whether you’re building on previous experience or looking to take the next step in your healthcare career, we want to hear from you.
At UHP, we invest in our people. You will receive comprehensive training, ongoing development and access to clear pathways that support your career progression. You’ll be joining one of the region’s largest and most innovative healthcare providers, where teamwork, learning and high‑quality patient care are at the heart of everything we do.
If you are compassionate, motivated and ready to grow, this is your chance to be part of a team that will support your development and value the contribution you make every day.
Main Duties of the Job
The Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering personal care to patients and supporting Registered Practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate care. Support and supervision is provided by Registered Practitioners.
You will carry out a range of non‑clinical healthcare tasks, under the direct supervision of the Registered Practitioner. To achieve this the HCSW will competently perform the necessary aspects of care for patients, to agreed quality standards and in accordance with Trust values.
You will also be supported to obtain a Care Certificate if not already achieved.
We are happy to support part time or full time work but candidates must be available to work on a rota that includes days, nights and all days of the week.
If you are shortlisted and invited for an interview, you will receive a detailed confirmation of the schedule a few days in advance. Please note that interviews will only be scheduled through a TRAC invitation following your application, and walk‑in applicants will not be accepted.
Responsibilities
* Develop the skills to obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
* Under supervision follow individual patient care plans and report any changes immediately to the Registered Practitioner.
* Demonstrate care and compassion to patients, carers, and relatives to help ensure high‑quality person‑centred patient care is delivered at all times.
* Undertake basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and feeding back to the Registered Practitioner to ensure high standards of care, in particular relating to skin integrity and the alertness of the patient.
* 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.
* Ensure care is given in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
* Ensure that the patient’s bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible and that the person has what they need within easy reach.
* Develop the skills to actively facilitate self‑care and independence with patients.
* Undertake personal care duties.
* Support with toileting, bathing, dressing, and feeding. Record oral fluid balance and nutrition.
* Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.
* Maintain effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care, demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills, where there may be barriers to understanding.
* Ensure equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty.
* Work effectively as part of a team.
* Input information into the electronic patient record where applicable and also into patients written records. Comply with all relevant legislation and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records.
About Us
We work as a team alongside each other to provide a high standard of care and give the best experience to our patients. All staff uphold the core values of the Nursing Profession: care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and ‘At Risk’ status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Details
Date posted: 23 January 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year (Pro Rata)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number: 216‑HCAOPENDAY‑B3‑130226
Job locations: Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH
Person Specification
Essential – Qualifications
* One of the following Level 3 (SCQF – 6): City and Guilds 3, NVQ 3, BTEC National Diploma or experience equivalent to the above qualifications.
* Completion of Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker).
* Level 2 Functional skills in English and Maths, or equivalent.
Essential – Knowledge & Experience
* Experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting.
* Experience of time management and prioritising work.
Essential – Aptitude & Abilities
* Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal.
* Ability to complete appropriate documentation accurately.
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 Details
Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH
Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/
EEO Statement
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified applicants, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability or any other protected characteristic.
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