Healthcare Support Worker in Torquay

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of cancer patients? As a Healthcare Support Worker, you will play a crucial role in delivering compassionate, patient-centred care. Based on the McCallum Short Stay Ward, you’ll be at the heart of providing essential nursing support, clinical interventions, and emotional care to patients. Whether assisting with personal care, performing vital clinical tasks like venepuncture and ECGs, or advocating for patient safety and wellbeing, you’ll contribute meaningfully to the patient journey.

We’re looking for individuals with a caring nature, strong communication skills, and a commitment to excellence. If you’re flexible, eager to learn new skills, and thrive in a fast-paced yet supportive environment, this role is for you. In return, you’ll join a team that’s as passionate about your growth as they are about patient care, with access to robust training, career development opportunities, and the chance to make a real impact in a rewarding specialty.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide patient-centered care in line with Trust policies, including personal care (e.g., washing, dressing, toileting) while promoting independence.
• Use effective communication skills to overcome barriers, offering reassurance, empathy, and persuasion.
• Undertake training to perform clinical interventions (e.g., observations, venepuncture, ECGs, cannula insertion/removal, urinalysis) and remain competent in these skills.
• Assess patients’ conditions using tools like NEWS2, pain assessments, and elevate concerns appropriately.
• Work independently or within a team, prioritising patient needs, and demonstrate accurate use of equipment for interventions.
• Support patients at risk (e.g., falls, pressure damage) by following care plans and escalating changes in condition.
• Promote mobility, independence, and mental stimulation through appropriate activities.
• Ensure adherence to Trust policies and maintain accurate documentation (e.g., care plans, observations, fluid/food charts).
• Assist with nutrition by supporting mealtimes and recording intake.
• Act as an advocate for patient safety, safeguarding from harm, and reporting concerns or incidents through the Trust's system.
• Provide guidance to less experienced staff, ensuring safe practices, maintaining clinical environments, and performing quality control checks to uphold standards.
• Demonstrate Trust values and a professional approach in all aspects of care.

Working for our organisation:

You will be working with a friendly and dynamic team in a fast-paced environment supporting patients on the Ricky Grant Day Unit and Turner Ward. McCallum Ward provides short stay acute medical care. It is a 17-bedded ward staffed by highly skilled specialist staff including dedicated dieticians, occupational therapists and medical team.

Person specification:

• Qualifications and training: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification/experience; Care certificate; English & Mathematics at GCSE grade A-C (9-4) or level 2 functional skills.
• Knowledge and Experience: Previous experience in a care environment or able to demonstrate a caring nature/life experience; understands the need for strict confidentiality; working knowledge of complex care needs of some individuals/families including Safeguarding Children & Adults, Domestic Abuse and Mental Health.
• Specific skills: Basic computer/keyboard skills; good interpersonal and communication skills; ability to adapt communication style; record keeping competency in handwritten and electronic records; to be flexible, adaptable, reliable and punctual; fine motor skills – for venepuncture, phlebotomy and other clinical tasks; healthcare competencies appropriate to area of work.

The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010.