Healthcare Support Worker – Emergency Department
Closing date: 20 May 2026
Are you compassionate, caring and communicative? Would you like to grow your career in a world‑class teaching hospital? We believe the Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) role offers you the opportunity to develop in a secure and rewarding environment.
We are excited to offer an opportunity for healthcare assistants to join our Emergency Department at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). As a large teaching hospital and Major Trauma Centre, we are committed to providing exceptional care for both adults and children. We continually improve our approach to major trauma care and offer numerous learning and development opportunities to help you achieve your career goals.
If you are looking to start your journey within healthcare, we would love to hear from you. You will start with a 1‑week full‑time induction and receive continuous training and development.
What You Will Do
This role is diverse and involves essential emergency skills such as applying plaster casts, venepuncture, and cannulation. You will be responsible for patient assessments, meeting care needs, and supporting nursing quality initiatives related to dementia and mental health.
What We’re Looking For
We seek a caring and compassionate healthcare assistant who thrives in a busy and rewarding environment. Excellent communication skills, a collaborative approach, and the ability to work 24/7 shifts are essential.
Applicants that have applied and been unsuccessful in the last 3 months do not need to re‑apply or submit another application.
About Us
A Healthcare Support Worker at UHS is a career opportunity that allows you to progress within healthcare. Our HCSWs receive top industry training, a tailored career programme and links to support nursing or higher health‑care apprenticeships.
Benefits
* Minimum of 35 days paid holiday
* Two‑week intensive induction
* Guaranteed contracted hours
* Access to extra shifts and overtime pay
* Mentoring team for emotional, personal and professional support
* Central hospital location with transport links and reduced fares for staff
* Generous pension scheme and life insurance
* National and local NHS discounts
* Onsite subsidised restaurants, cafés and high‑street shops
* Financial awards through a refer‑a‑friend scheme
* Internal mover process to transfer wards every six months
* Support for flexible working requests
We are only considering full‑time applications at this time. You MUST be able to work a variety of shifts across the week and for 365 days a year. Unfortunately, we cannot currently offer set shifts such as nights only.
Job Responsibilities
As a Healthcare Support Worker you will work under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or healthcare professional within the Emergency Department. You will help nurses and doctors by providing the highest standards of personal care and support to our patients.
Your main day‑to‑day duties include:
* Washing and dressing patients and assisting with personal hygiene
* Assisting patients to access and use toilet facilities
* Serving meals and helping to feed patients
* Helping patients to safely move around
* Assisting with bed making, cleaning tasks, errands and general duties
* Collecting pathological specimens (e.g., urine, faeces, sputum)
* Making patients and their families feel comfortable
Development
* Work a variety of shifts: mornings (7 am–3 pm), short days & long days (8–12 hours, 7 am–8 pm), evenings (until 8 pm) and nights (7 pm–7 am next day)
* Be available any day from Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays
* Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* Be ready to carry out a variety of tasks – including personal hygiene care for patients of all ages and backgrounds
If you believe in putting patients first, are looking to improve continuously and are a team player, we would love to hear from you.
Note: This vacancy is not eligible for sponsorship and requires candidates to complete a 9‑month training period. We cannot accept applications from candidates without the right to work in the UK or with less than 9 months remaining on their visa at the start date.
Person Specification – Knowledge & Experience
* Ability to move and handle patients and equipment
* Evidence of empathy, patience and dependability
* Ability to deal with a range of difficult situations
* Follow instructions and work within the role’s limits
* Handle fluctuating demands and pressures
* Complete core HCSW competencies and additional specific competencies within 12 months of appointment
* Previous experience in an acute hospital, volunteer sector, teaching assistant, or nursing home carer
Trust Values
* Patients First
* Always Improving
* Working Together
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer
University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
Salary: £25,272 per annum (pro rata).
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