At a Glance
- Tasks: Support nursing and facilities teams in ward care, catering, and housekeeping.
- Company: Join Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to pursue a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives while developing your skills in healthcare.
- Qualifications: Good communication skills and a caring attitude; training provided.
Ward Assistant - The Vale
The closing date is 28 September 2025.
As a Ward Assistant, you will be a hugely valuable support to our Nursing and Facilities teams providing support to ward care, the catering team and the housekeeping team.
You will need to be:
- Caring and kind
- Cheerful and friendly
- Able to follow instructions
- Happy to work in a team but also able to use own initiative
- Have good listening and communication skills
Main duties of the job
- Contributing to the cleanliness of the ward
- making beds
- tidying rooms
- re-stocking supplies
- Assisting with food and drink preparation
- refilling water jugs
- setting tables
- clearing plates and cutlery
- Recreational support
- providing encouragement for patients
- taking patients out to the garden
- helping patients settle in
- Administration
- Answer the door for visitors
- Showing visitors to the right room to see a patient
- Answering the telephone
The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.
About us
We have a skilled and dedicated workforce of over 5000 colleagues working in a diverse range of services over 55 sites and within people\\\'s homes. We strive to enable a welcoming workplace culture that builds and celebrates civility, inclusivity and diversity, while providing a sense of belonging and trust.
Annual staff surveys, regular Pulse surveys and other engagement opportunities provide our people with lots of opportunity to tell us about their experiences of working with us. In the latest staff survey, 61% of colleagues gave us their views. It was great to hear that:
- 72% of colleagues would recommend the Trust as a place to work, ranking us 1st for Provider Trusts in the South West region on this question.
- 76% would recommend the standard of care provided in our services if a friend or relative needed treatment, also ranking us 1st in the South West region.
- 81% said that care of patients and service users is the Trust\\\'s priority, compared with an average in comparable NHS Trusts in England of 64%.
This high-level overview shows we are in a healthy position, with higher scores than average for comparable organisations, alongside a great response rate, indicating good staff engagement. However, we also know we have plenty of room for improvement in many areas. To that end, we continue to prioritise and invest in our commitment to genuinely becoming a Great Place to Work with consistent top-quartile performance in the annual staff survey and Pulse surveys.
Job responsibilities
As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant, Social Care Workers and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not.
You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.
Person Specification
Skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience of being customer or patient facing
- Flexible and adaptable
- work as part of a team and independently
- Evidence of commitment to training and learning
Knowledge
- Knowledge of infection control
Qualifications
- Basic level of education
- NVQ Level 2 in Cleaning or equivalent qualification or experience (or willing to undertake)
- Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate (or willing to undertake)
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.
Employer name
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Ward Assistant - The Vale in Stroud employer: Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our Ward Assistants. With a strong focus on employee engagement and development, we provide opportunities for growth through training and apprenticeships, ensuring that our staff feel valued and empowered. Our commitment to high-quality patient care is reflected in our outstanding staff survey results, making us a top choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the healthcare sector.
Contact Details:
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Ward Assistant - The Vale in Stroud
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the ward and the staff. This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you connect with them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a Ward Assistant, you'll need to be cheerful and friendly. Try role-playing common scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your initiative! Think of examples where you've taken charge or helped out in a team setting. This will highlight your ability to work independently and as part of a team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our amazing workplace culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Ward Assistant - The Vale in Stroud
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Caring Side:As a Ward Assistant, being caring and kind is key. Make sure to highlight any experiences where you've shown compassion or support to others, whether in a work setting or personal life.
Be Cheerful and Friendly:We want to see your cheerful personality shine through! Use a friendly tone in your application and share examples of how you’ve created a positive atmosphere in previous roles.
Follow Instructions Like a Pro:Since following instructions is crucial for this role, mention any experiences where you successfully followed guidelines or protocols. This shows you can be relied upon to get things right!
Team Player with Initiative:We love team players who can also take the initiative! Share instances where you’ve worked well in a team but also took charge when needed. Don’t forget to apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand what a Ward Assistant does. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities like supporting ward care, assisting with food preparation, and maintaining cleanliness. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Caring Nature
As a Ward Assistant, being caring and kind is crucial. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated these qualities. Whether it's helping someone in need or working as part of a team, share these stories to highlight your suitability for the role.
✨Practice Good Communication
Since excellent communication skills are essential, practice how you articulate your thoughts. You might be asked about how you would handle certain situations with patients or visitors. Clear and friendly communication can set you apart, so consider doing mock interviews with a friend.
✨Prepare Questions to Ask
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or the workplace culture. This shows that you're not only interested in the job but also in how you can contribute positively to the environment at The Vale.
