Job Overview
Are you compassionate, caring and communicative? Would you like to be the best you can be or grow your career in a world‑class teaching hospital? Have you been considering a change of occupation and looking for secure and rewarding employment?
The Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) role at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) offers a rapid, in‑depth induction programme and a clear career pathway from HCSW to Band 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker.
Key Responsibilities
* Wash and dress patients and aid personal hygiene
* Assist patients to use toilet facilities
* Serve meals and help feed patients
* Help patients safely move around the ward
* Assist with bed‑making, cleaning tasks, errands or general duties
* Collect pathological specimens (urine, faeces, sputum, etc.)
* Make patients and their families feel comfortable
Benefits
* A minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro‑rata)
* A one‑week intensive induction
* Guaranteed contracted hours
* Access to extra shifts and overtime pay
* A dedicated mentoring team for emotional, personal and professional support
* Central hospital location with great transport links and reduced fares for UHS staff
* Continued professional development
* Generous pension scheme and life insurance
* Access to national and local NHS discounts
* On‑site subsidised restaurants, cafes and high‑street shops
* Financial awards through a refer‑a‑friend scheme
* Internal mover process (transfer wards every six months if desired)
* Support with flexible working requests, regularly reviewed against service need
Development Pathway
* 1‑week foundation induction
* Extended induction: 1 study day per month for 5 months (total 5 days)
* Skills: physiological measurement, maintaining skin integrity, cannulation, catheterisation, ECGs
* Progression to Band 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker upon completion of competency documentation
Essential Criteria
* Completed care certificate or ability to complete within 6 months
* Capable of attaining NVQ Level 3 in care (or equivalent experience)
* Completed secondary education
* Ability to move and handle patients and equipment
* Evidence of empathy, patience and dependability
* Ability to manage difficult situations
* Willingness to follow instruction and work within the role boundaries
* Capacity to cope with fluctuating demands and pressures
* Awareness and adherence to care certificate standards
* Capable of completing core HCSW competencies and additional specific competencies within 12 months of appointment
Desirable Criteria
* Previous experience in an acute hospital setting
* Experience in the volunteer sector
* Experience as a teaching assistant
* Experience as a nursing home carer
Applicants that applied and were unsuccessful in the last 6 months do not need to re‑apply or submit another application.
Remote HCSW interviews are held on Wednesdays over MS Teams. The role requires a flexible roster, covering mornings, short days, long days, evenings and nights, any day of the week, including bank holidays. Candidates must be able to work a variety of shifts; set shifts such as nights only are not offered.
This vacancy does not meet the Home Office threshold for sponsorship and requires a 9‑month training period. We are therefore unable to accept applications from candidates who do not have the right to work in the UK or who do not have at least 9 months remaining on their visa from the start date of the new role.
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