Overview
Go back Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Healthcare Support Worker - Cheetham Hill
The closing date is 07 October 2025
Cheetham Hill is a welcoming 28-bedded ward, treating acute and medically ill older adults with the highest standard of quality care. Putting the patient experience first. #CaretojoinusTSD?
The team is made up of Ward Manager, Junior Sisters, Staff Nurses, Nursing Auxiliaries, Ward Clerk, Ward Administrator, Ward Assistant and Hotel Services Staff. As such, you will be a vital part of the multi-disciplinary team that is responsible for assisting the nursing staff to improve, maintain and deliver high standards of care, promoting health and well-being of patients through assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.
When joining our supportive team, we will encourage you to have a voice both in the team and on a wider platform in our Healthcare Support Worker Council, which is dedicated to listing to our staff, participating in discussions and contribute to improvements. Elsewhere, you will actively be involved in care planning as well as delivery.
Main duties of the job
Undertake direct patient care, in support of, and under the delegation of the Registered Nurse, and document care given as required.
Assist in the reception and admission of patients.
Follow the individual plan of care for each patient when undertaking the following:
Bed making
Assist patients with personal hygiene including care of hair, nails, oral hygiene and shaving
Assist with treatment and prevention of pressure areas and continence management for all patients
Assist patients with elimination requirements, including catheter care
Assist patients to rehabilitate, working with physiotherapy and occupational therapists.
Assist patients with choosing and recording intake of meals.
Feed patients, encouraging patients to drink and replenishing water jugs when necessary, maintain fluid balance charts as required.
Checking of controlled drugs with Registered Nurse as required.
Complete nutritional assessment records and weigh patients as required.
Monitoring and maintaining fluid balance records, food and weight charts as required for individual patients under the direction of a Registered Nurse, recording and reporting findings as required.
Use equipment competently following training.
Escort patients to other departments/hospitals for investigation
About us
Why work with us- Torbay Hospital provides acute care for the local community and has several community hospitals, and is a hot-spot for those who are considering living by the sea or within half an hour of Dartmoor National Park and an hour to Exmoor National Park. Meanwhile, Plymouth and Exeter are also both within a short drive to enjoy the culture, maritime history and shopping experiences.
We work in an integrated way with allied health care professionals within the locality, and are a motivated and caring team to both patients and colleagues.
The team is flexible and promotes a healthy work/home life balance therefore, your package with us includes a lot more than just your pay. Listed are a few of the additional benefits that are available to you as an employee:
* Childcare at our day nursery
* Generous Holiday Entitlement, starting at 27 days a year (for full time workers) plus bank/public holidays
* Staff Discounts
* Career development and training opportunities
* Employee Support - Staff have access to a 24-hour helpline
Our people are caring, committed, inclusive and focussed on quality. We focus on solutions and people's strengths. We encourage outside the box thinking and embrace innovation and change wherever it can drive improvement.
If you share our values and vision and are passionate about working with people on what matters to them, you could be a real asset to Team Torbay and South Devon.
Job responsibilities
* Answer the telephone, take messages and refer to the Staff Nurse for instructions
* To take part as requested in ward/unit meetings, encouraging effective communications between other staff
* Communicate appropriately with a wide range of people including staff, patients and visitors
* Recognising and responding to situations within the work area and report to the nurse in charge
* Assisting with the undertaking and implementation of risk assessments
* Follow the individual plan of care for each patient when undertaking the following:
o Bed making
o Assist patients with personal hygiene including care of hair, nails, oral hygiene and shaving
o Assist with treatment and prevention of pressure areas and continence management for all patients
o Assist patients with elimination requirements, including catheter care
o Assist patients to rehabilitate, working with physiotherapy and occupational therapists
o Assist patients with choosing and recording intake of meals
o Feed patients, encouraging patients to drink and replenishing water jugs when necessary, maintain fluid balance charts as required
o Checking of controlled drugs with Registered Nurse as required
o Complete nutritional assessment records and weigh patients as required
o Monitoring and maintaining fluid balance records, food and weight charts as required for individual patients under the direction of a Registered Nurse, recording and reporting findings as required
o Use equipment competently following training
o Escort patients to other departments/hospitals for investigation or treatment as necessary, ensuring relevant paperwork/x-rays are available
* Assist in the collection of specimens for ward/laboratory investigation in accordance with Policies and Procedures
* Following training and assessment, assist the Registered Nurse in other duties if appropriate including:
o Simple dressings
o Assisting with out-patient clinics
o Routine specimens and urine testing
o Taking and recording of temperature, pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels
o Blood glucose monitoring
o Venepuncture and Cannulation
o Basic life support
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
* NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care 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
* Record keeping competency in handwritten and electronic records
* Able to manage stress in themselves and others
* Willingness to undertake new skills and training
* To be flexible, adaptable, reliable and punctual
* 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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