About the Organisation:
As Scotland’s smallest health board, NHS Orkney is committed to delivering excellent care to our 22,000 residents. Whether you’re new to the NHS or bringing experience from elsewhere, your skills will make a real difference.
Our modern healthcare facility, The Balfour, brings together inpatient care, emergency services, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We’re also investing in services across our outer isles, ensuring high-quality care reaches every corner of Orkney.
We are guided by our core values that shape everything we do – Open and honest, Respect and Kindness – from how we care for our patients to how we support each other as colleagues.
About Orkney:
With over 70 islands – 20 of them inhabited – Orkney offers a unique blend of natural beauty, close-knit community and an opportunity for adventure. From dramatic coastlines and rare wildlife to rich cultural traditions and active lifestyles, it’s a place where compassion thrives and every day brings something new. Regularly named one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney offers a lifestyle that’s both fulfilling and inspiring.
The Position:
We are seeking enthusiastic and capable Support Workers to join our dynamic Ultrasound team. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a multi-modality imaging service, supporting both Ultrasound and CT/General Imaging departments.
The post holder will work closely with sonographers to help provide a high quality, patient focused service. The candidate will have a variety of roles which include administrative and patient care duties. They will be responsible for chaperoning intimate examinations and maintaining a clean, safe and efficient working environment.
The Candidate:
It will be expected that candidates will possess an SVQ III in Health & Social Care, or equivalent qualification, or have demonstrable evidence of competence through equivalent work experience.
Candidates will also have good verbal, reading and written communication skills and be willing to take up the challenges of learning about and working in the rapidly advancing areas of diagnostic imaging.
There will be an expectation that the successful candidate will support in a variety of roles within the department including clerical and clinical support for our patients
Due to the nature of the working environment, occupational radiation dose levels for employees and requirements for training, applicants must be aged 18 or over to be considered for this role.
Development Opportunity – Annex 21 Route
If you do not currently hold an SVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, there is an exciting opportunity to join this post under Annex 21 arrangements. This means you can earn while you learn, gaining valuable experience in the role while working towards your qualification.
What does this involve?
1. You will undertake the SVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care as part of a structured training programme while in post.
2. The programme is designed to be completed over approximately two years, giving you time to develop your skills and knowledge at a steady pace.
3. During this period, you will be considered a trainee under Annex 21, which sets out specific arrangements for pay and banding for those in training roles.
What happens after training?
4. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will progress to the bottom of the Band 3 pay scale.
Entry requirements for this training opportunity:
5. To be eligible for this route, you must already hold an SVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification at SCQF Level 6 (Scottish Higher, National Certificate, Foundation Apprenticeship and Professional Development Award).
This is a fantastic chance to build your career in a supportive environment, gain a nationally recognised qualification, and make a real difference in the lives of others.
Location, Working Pattern and Contract Duration:
This post will be based at The Balfour
The successful candidate will work: Full Time 37 hours per week - NHS Scotland is reducing their full time working week from 37 to 36 hours per week from 1 April 2026 but with no change in pay. This reduction will also be applied pro rata for part time staff.
This post is Permanent
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NHS Orkney.
Benefits and Salary:
Did you know NHS Scotland salaries are higher than those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
The salary for this post is Band 3 and if residing on Orkney, you’ll also receive a Distant Islands Allowance of £1,654 pro rata per annum, adding extra value to your rewarding career with us.
NHS Orkney also offers an attractive pension scheme, wide range of work life balance policies, employee assistance programme and various discounts to both local and national retailers.
Further Information:
If you share our vision and are ready to be part of Team Orkney, we’d love to hear from you. Your rewarding career starts here!
This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.