Healthcare support worker

Work as part of the multidisciplinary team delivering care to patients with support and supervision provided by a registered health care professional. Undertakes personal care activities and clinical care duties with minimal support and supervision as delegated by a registered healthcare professional in accordance with the HEIW All Wales Guidelines for Delegation. Ensures the registered healthcare professional is regularly updated on the patients/client's condition and progress. Ensures the working environment is safe and hygienic following infection prevention and control policies and processes. Contributes to the teaching and supervision of students and junior staff. Delivers role in accordance with Health Board/Trust Values and Code of Conduct for HCSW's in Wales.

Main duties of the job

• Assist patients in line with agreed care plans, reporting observations and changes promptly to enable monitoring and adjustments.
• Obtain informed consent before interventions and act appropriately if care is declined, advocating for patient needs where necessary.
• Maintain strict infection prevention standards through effective hand hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and equipment care.
• Support patients with washing, bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, toileting, and safe waste disposal, ensuring privacy and dignity.
• Use mobility aids such as hoists and wheelchairs when required.
• Assist patients with eating and drinking, including food choice, preparation, and feeding support where appropriate.
• Provide pressure relief as directed, monitor skin integrity, and report abnormalities promptly.
• Promote independence and therapeutic relationships through meaningful activities tailored to patient needs.
• Accurately record care activities, physiological measurements, and relevant patient information (e.g., weight, BMI, nutrition and hydration status) in appropriate systems.
• Undertake and record vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation, escalating concerns using Early Warning Score protocols.
• Perform basic tests (e.g., urinalysis, blood glucose monitoring), ensure compliance with quality control, and report abnormal results.

Job responsibilities

• Plan and prioritise own delegated workload, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently, safely and effectively, using your initiative to prioritise the work based on the needs of patients, adjusting to ensure emergencies and priority tasks are completed to deadlines.
• Work within established procedures when delivering care; and under the supervision of a registered healthcare professional.
• Obtain diagnostic samples, for example collecting urine samples / faecal samples/ sputum samples, wound swabs, obtaining venous blood samples ensuring the correct handling and sending of specimens whilst adhering to infection control and local guidance policies.
• Undertake delegated care duties as directed by a registered healthcare professional, examples of which may include but not limited to, recording Electrocardiogram (ECG), care of and removal of urinary catheters, care of stomas, undertaking simple wound dressings and wound observation, removal of peripheral cannula.
• Escort patients to other departments within the healthcare setting under the delegation of a registered healthcare professional.
• Act as a chaperone when appropriate supporting and preparing patients for / during medical interventions or procedures.
• Ensure the safety of patients/clients requiring increased level of supervision, for example patients at risk of falls, patients with memory impairment, behavioral needs, mental health/learning disabilities care needs, reporting any changes to the registered healthcare professional without delay.
• Adhere to, and follow the principles of safeguarding children and adults, promptly reporting any concerns to the registered healthcare professional.
• Participate in clinical emergencies, summoning assistance and following local or national guidance, working as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within scope of practice.
• Act on own initiative within their scope of practice recognising and reporting observed changes in the patients physical and psychological needs to a registered healthcare professional.

Stock and Equipment

• Maintain adequate levels of stock, equipment and materials and facilitate the efficient, effective use of resources; reporting when availability falls below an acceptable standard or level.
• Maintain the cleanliness of equipment in all clinical and non-clinical areas, this includes cleaning all types of equipment, and rooms/areas within the care setting.
• Undertake safe custody, return or disposal of individuals property.
• Undertake the correct disposal of linen and used clinical waste, and cleaning of the clinical environment of care.
• Check the functionality of equipment that is used by patients and clients and report any issues to an appropriate team member.

Communications

• Provide appropriate routine information effectively to patients, carers and other staff, using appropriate communication techniques to overcome any barriers to understanding and providing support using empathy and tact during distressing or emotional events.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with the multi-disciplinary team, accepting instructions and giving feedback on patient care and activities to relevant registered health care professionals where required.
• Respond appropriately to routine queries, take phone messages and pass on written and verbal information to patients and staff in a timely manner.
• Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.

Improvement and Monitoring

• Required to follow all legislation and organisational policies and procedures, will be asked to comment on procedures for own area of activity, and suggest improvements which will contribute to the efficient running of the service supporting better patient experience.
• Adhere to standard operating procedures, guidelines and policies whilst delivering care, for example if working in community settings adhere to the lone worker policy/procedure in order to maintain own and others personal safety.
• Contribute to research, audits, quality improvement initiatives and clinical trials programmes as required carried out within the area of work.

Management, Leadership and/or Training

• Supervise the work of Band 2 Nursing Healthcare Support workers and apprentices.
• Work alongside student nurses, those on work experience placement and nurse cadets providing support.
• Delegate work to appropriate staff to ensure services are met.

Digital and Information

• Maintain accurate records in both written and electronic formats, adhering to data governance, confidentiality, and cybersecurity policies.
• Where appropriate demonstrates proficiency in selecting and using digital tools for daily tasks, training, communication, and supporting individuals in safely using digital healthcare methods.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome.

Person Specification

• Qualifications & Experience

• Level 3 qualification in a health care related subject or equivalent experience and can evidence work based competency demonstrating theoretical knowledge, and the ability to undertake clinical care duties relevant for the role which is gained through experience and worked based training/short courses.
• Experience of working within a relevant health or social care environment, providing direct patient care.

• Abilities

• Good communication skills - verbal and written, with the ability to convey information clearly and sensitively.
• Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh.

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.

£25,313 to £26,999 a year pro rata per annum.