Job summary
- Main area
- Senior Health care Assistant
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Compressed hours
- Job ref
- 216-SI-HCAOPENDAY
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Derriford Hospital
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 Per Annum Pro Rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 28/04/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 05/05/2026
Employer heading
Senior Health Care Assistant - OPEN DAY
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
Join us at University Hospitals Plymouth and take the next step in your healthcare journey as a Band 3 Healthcare Assistant. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference to patients and their families during some of the most important moments of their lives. You’ll join a supportive, compassionate workforce where your kindness, reliability and dedication truly matter.
At our interview day on Tuesday 5th May 2026 you’ll have the chance to meet colleagues from a variety of clinical areas, from fast‑paced settings to specialist wards delivering focused, expert care. This is your opportunity to learn more about the diverse environments you could work in, ask questions, and discover where you feel you can thrive. Whether you’re building on previous experience or looking to take the next step in your healthcare career, we want to hear from you.
At UHP, we invest in our people. You’ll receive comprehensive training, ongoing development and access to clear pathways that support your career progression. You’ll be joining one of the region’s largest and most innovative healthcare providers, where teamwork, learning and high‑quality patient care are at the heart of everything we do.
If you’re compassionate, motivated and ready to grow, this is your chance to be part of a team that will support your development and value the contribution you make every day.
Main duties of the job
The Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering personal care to patients and supporting Registered Practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate care. Support and supervision is provided by Registered Practitioners.
You will carry out a range of non-clinical healthcare tasks, under the direct supervision of the Registered Practitioner. To achieve this the HCSW will competently perform the necessary aspects of care for patients, to agreed quality standards and in accordance with Trust values.
You will also be supported to obtain a Care Certificate if not already achieved.
We are happy to support part time or full time work but candidates must be available to work on a rota that includes days, nights and all days of the week.
If you are shortlisted and invited for an interview, you will receive a detailed confirmation of the schedule a few days in advance.
Please note that interviews will only be scheduled through a TRAC invitation following your application, and walk-in applicants will not be accepted.
We as a teamwork alongside each other to provide a high standard of care and give the best experience to our patients.
All staff upholds to the core values of Nursing Profession. The values were care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
2. Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans.
3. Ability to use your knowledge and experience to undertake non-routine duties and an understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility.
4. To carry out a range of (limited) clinical duties with minimal / no supervision, including for example, blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation levels, body temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate, glucose monitoring, collection and testing of urine samples / faecal samples / sputum samples and wound swabs ensuring delivery of high-quality patient care at all times. NB: this list is not exhaustive and will vary depending on area of work.
5. Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.
6. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.
7. Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
8. Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies.
9. Utilising skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.
10. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.
11. maintain effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills, where there may be barriers to understanding.
12. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty. This may include ordering supplies.
13. Work effectively as part of a team.
14. The SHCSW is responsible for inputting information into the electronic patient record where applicable and also into patients written records. Comply with all relevant legislation and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Person specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
- Demonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
- Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives
- Be able to work as a member of a team
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Accredited Level 3 (SCQF – 6): - City and Guilds 3
- NVQ 3
- Accredited BTEC National Diploma
- Demonstrable Experience equivalent to the above qualifications
- Level 2 Functional skills in English and Math’s, or equivalent
- Completion of accredited Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)
- Equivalent demonstrable experience
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
- Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
- Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
- Committed to providing high quality patient care
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Stacey Ireland
- Job title
- Recruitment Team Leader
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 432100
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