Health Care support worker in Totnes

At Dart Ward, our 16-bedded, light, and spacious inpatient ward provides vital care to patients undergoing rehabilitation and end-of-life care after acute illnesses. The ward is thoughtfully designed with both patients and staff in mind, featuring a vibrant garden, comfortable breakout rooms, and patient beds offering scenic views of the historic church and castle.

As a Healthcare Support Worker with us, you will become part of a warm, friendly, and dynamic team where everyone is valued and supported. We believe our staff are what make us truly special. In our team, we work together, support one another, and keep the atmosphere positive and fun - even on the tough days, we have each other’s backs.

You will play a key role in helping patients regain their independence and achieve a level of life-enhancing functionality. As a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) on Dart Ward, your role will involve:

• Supporting a diverse range of patients, providing compassionate care, rehabilitation, and end-of-life support.
• Taking and interpreting vital signs on adults and supporting with cannulation and venepuncture. You will be supported to ensure you can undertake these skills and competencies.
• Assisting in therapy sessions, games, exercise classes, and breakfast clubs designed to support our patients' recovery.
• Ensuring patients receive the highest level of care, you will work as part of a close-knit team with 3 trained staff and 2 HCSWs on day shifts, and 2 trained for 2 HCSW staff on nights.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is building lasting relationships with patients, walking with them on their journey to recovery. As part of a personalised treatment plan, you will play a key role in improving patients' lives and helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

Located in the historic and picturesque town of Totnes, our community hospital offers a unique and rewarding work environment. Based in the heart of Totnes and surrounded by stunning riverside views, the Community hospital is just a short walk from the town's vibrant high street, where you can explore local arts, culture, and enjoy delicious street food from the market hall or nearby businesses.

Due to varying day and night shift patterns not aligning with public transport, a full UK driving licence is required.

You will be responsible for:

• Undertaking training to perform high quality clinical interventions effectively and remain competent to practice these interventions, such as clinical observations, blood glucose monitoring, urinalysis, venepuncture, removal or urinary catheter, insertion and removal of peripheral cannulas, perform ECG, calculation of BMI, all following assessment and completion of clinical competency.
• Assessing a person's clinical condition, within the individual's scope of competence using tools such as NEWS2 parameters, pain assessment tool, non-verbal signs of deterioration and knowing how to urgently escalate concerns appropriately.

Qualifications and Training

• Health and Social care level 3 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
• Fine motor skills – for venepuncture, phlebotomy and other clinical tasks
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to prioritise and organise work
• Able to work under instruction, under pressure and as part of a team
• Record keeping competency in handwritten and electronic records
• Able to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, and to adapt communication style to circumstances
• Able to manage stress in themselves and others
• Able to offer support at times of emotional distress
• Willingness to undertake new skills and training
• Able to work as a team member or independently
• Ability to adapt behaviour to changing and challenging situations
• To be flexible, adaptable, reliable and punctual

The post holder must demonstrate a positive commitment to uphold diversity and equality policies approved by the Trust.

You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly. Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.

Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.

Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.

Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band. If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references. 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. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.