The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Healthcare Support Worker - Out-Patients Dept
The closing date is 24 June 2026.
We are looking for a Senior Healthcare Support Worker to join our Out‑Patient Team to support the preparation and effective running of our clinics and procedure room until 31st May 2027.
Main duties of the job
You will be trained to undertake skills including venepuncture, blood pressure monitoring, urine testing, bladder scanning and will use these skills daily as well as undertaking training to work in enhanced procedure area, working as support for registered practitioners.
Start times of shifts will be variable, from 7:30 am to 8 pm Monday - Saturday. Your roster will reflect service demand. The ability to work flexible/variable shifts is essential, as we are open 6 days a week including evenings.
We are looking for a colleague who can communicate effectively with a wide range of people, and applicants must be confident in keeping our patients updated with information.
Our out‑patient healthcare assistants play a vital role in maintaining standards of cleanliness. They also undertake manual handling of patients & equipment, and the role involves standing/walking for lengthy periods of time.
Job responsibilities
* Communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare & administration teams, patients, relatives & carers & answer the telephone, taking messages while maintaining patient confidentiality & informing senior staff as required.
* Introduce self, using principles of my name in all communications with others, to be welcoming and reassuring to patients, visitors, and carers /relatives.
* Work as part of the wider multidisciplinary team for the benefit of the patient, recognising and respecting each member of the team's role and contribution.
* Explain all procedures & care to patients. Observe patients' condition and behaviour, reporting any changes/concerns promptly and accurately to appropriate staff member.
* Identify the patient and ensure that the correct patient records, required for each area of work, are available.
* Provide and receive information orally, in writing & electronically daily.
* For each clinic/procedure, throughout each clinic/procedure, ensure patients, visitors & relevant others are kept informed regarding timings and reasons for any delays, as per Department Standard Operating Procedure, with regular visual and verbal updates. Keep team leader informed & up to date.
* Instigate help in the event of an emergency and assist senior team, as trained & required.
* Maintain cleanliness and control of equipment/rooms used in all areas of the Outpatient Department to standards expected by Manager and Infection, prevention, and control team, following policy / procedure / processes.
* Clean, adjust and perform routine maintenance on equipment & clinic/procedure rooms to ensure proper functioning, reporting to the nurse in charge any faults detected, and reporting using online system clean & label appropriately.
* Assist patients in all aspects of patient care within competencies trained to do so, with care certificate or equivalent.
* Chaperone patients, assist in direct care, toileting, and moving and handling patients, ensuring their dignity and privacy are maintained whilst ensuring safety of both patients and staff daily.
* Prepare and run Out Patients Clinics/Outpatient procedures including the preparation of patient records and the physical environment required, ensuring equipment available and ready to use, and processing all documentation appropriately, including checking all clinic outcomes completed by clinicians. Indicate to clinician or team lead when not completed.
* Understand specific requirements for individual clinic(s)/procedures and ensure they run in a timely manner, effectively and that these requirements are undertaken (e.g., patients directed to plaster room, x‑ray, clinic/procedure room, requiring wound care with correct information).
* Use appropriate Trust computer systems to obtain & use/report information, as well as effective verbal reporting to senior staff.
* Escort/Direct patients/visitors effectively to other departments or areas for treatment, procedures, investigations, or rehabilitation purposes.
* Undertake MRSA screening & specimens of urine effectively & safely.
* Ensure safe and correct disposal of bodily waste & linen and all waste following the Trust's infection control policy.
* Obtain measurements of a patient’s height and weight, and report clinical observations of the patient’s temperature, pulse, respiration rate, blood pressure, peak flow, oxygen saturation and blood sugar, when appropriately trained and documented appropriately, reporting abnormality to RN or clinician.
* Assist and support trained nurses & plaster technicians with delivery of patient care.
* Maintain cleanliness of the department and assist in cleaning. Have a good knowledge of infection control policies/procedures/processes.
* Comply with Department / Areas of work Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
* Undertake training in specific medicine management Main Opd training and follow all protocols regarding being the key holder role.
* Check any test requisitions are completed as per policy, informing senior staff member if unable to take test due to incomplete request.
* When trained and deemed competent to do so, daily collect blood samples by venepuncture from adults (and children if appropriately trained) in setting as required. Maintain competence by regularly carrying out procedure and update training as required, following Trust policies and procedures relating to blood transfusion / infection control / sharp safety and other relevant policies/procedures.
* When trained and competent to do so, use blood centrifuges in department appropriately as required.
* Collect samples in the appropriate containers, ensuring safe and correct disposal of equipment and correctly label all samples/ ECGs.
* Transport specimens safely to the laboratory or point of collection as per Trust policy.
* Observe the patient following any sample collection and report any adverse effect to the nurse in charge.
* When trained & evidenced as competent to do so, operate electrocardiograph equipment to perform routine ECG tests upon appropriate request. Prepare patient for an ECG by explaining procedure.
* When trained & evidenced as competent to do so, undertake venepuncture for PRP treatment and assist procedure as required.
* Participate in personal and professional development.
* Participate in mandatory training programmes.
* When trained to do so, prepare patients for any necessary procedures, within their competencies and assist in procedure as required using skills competent in.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
* Evidence of basic literacy & numeracy skills and excellent verbal communication skills.
* Evidence of Care Certificate, Equivalent UK health care certification.
Experience
* Previous experience of working in a relevant health care setting in a similar UK role.
Skills and Competencies
* Evidence of customer care skills/experience, written, oral and electronic.
* Evidence of ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and build rapport with people not met before.
* Evidence of competencies in physiological measurements, and measuring systems.
Knowledge
* Demonstrates ability to work at appropriate level within our OPD setting.
* Evidence understanding of importance of infection control precautions within our outpatient setting.
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.
Salary
£25,760 to £27,476 a yearper annum pro rata
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
11 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
224-PA20260503593
Job locations
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital
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