Health Care Support Worker
| Posting date: | 09 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £25,760.00 to £27,476.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £25760.00 - £27476.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 22 March 2026 |
| Location: | Plymouth, PL4 7PY |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | B9832-2026-NM-10150 |
Summary
Senior Healthcare Assistant Band 3Department: AFSS Community ServicesResponsible to: Line Manager Job Purpose The Senior Healthcare Assistant HCA supports registered nurses in delivering safe, high quality physical, social, and psychological care to patients in community settings. The role includes recognising and reporting changes in condition, undertaking delegated clinical tasks once competent, and providing mentorship and guidance to junior staff. Registered nurses retain overall clinical responsibility. Scope and Range Work under the direction of registered staff, including periods of unsupervised working in the community. Support qualified staff in personal care, mobility, manual handling, and daily living activities. Liaise with the multidisciplinary team MDT across inpatient, community, statutory, and voluntary services. Undertake delegated clinical tasks once assessed as competent, including wound care, ECGs, venepuncture, catheter care, phlebotomy, vital signs, blood glucose monitoring, pulse oximetry, and use of risk assessment tools e.g., Waterlow, MUST. Provide information to patients/carers, identify safeguarding concerns, and recognise when referral or signposting is needed. Work within own competence and role boundaries, seeking support when required. Provide self directed therapeutic activities for patients, which may include lone working. Support service improvements, audits, and quality projects. Mentor HCAs and students. Maintain Health & Safety and Infection Control standards. Main Duties and Responsibilities 1. People Management Support the development of the Senior HCA role and assist less experienced staff. Participate in supervision and receive line management support.2. Financial Physical Resources No budget responsibility but must use resources responsibly and in line with policies.3. Administration Maintain accurate, confidential patient records. Report changes in condition to registered staff and document appropriately. Use organisational IT systems and email as required.4. Direct Patient Care Provide compassionate physical and emotional care, supporting dignity and independence. Monitor physical health and escalate concerns. Support recovery focused approaches in collaboration with patients and carers. Participate in assessments, discharge planning, care planning, and reviews. Support therapeutic activities and record interventions electronically. Escort patients to appointments and manage patient property.5. Policies and Service Development Adhere to all Livewell Southwest policies including uniform, infection control, safeguarding, Health and Safety, and incident reporting. Participate in service development and mandatory training.6. Other Responsibilities Work within competence and complete required shared skills e.g., clinical observations, falls prevention, wound dressing, frailty awareness. Participate in induction, clinical supervision, appraisal, and professional development. Report accidents, incidents, or unsafe practice promptly.Communications and Relationships Act as a professional representative of Livewell Southwest. Communicate politely and respectfully with patients, staff, and the public. Use effective communication skills, adapting to barriers such as hearing loss, language difficulties, or cognitive impairment. Promote a recovery-oriented environment and support patient motivation and engagement.Physical Requirements Competent in IT and electronic record systems. Carry out observations and clinical tasks e.g., phlebotomy, wound care, ECGs. Assist with clinical supplies and stock levels. Travel across Plymouth when required. Complete breakaway training; carry a personal alarm in community settings. Demonstrate emotional resilience.Additional Organisational Requirements Comply with policies including Health and Safety, Risk Management, Infection Control, Safeguarding, and Data Protection. Engage in reducing carbon emissions through sustainable working practices. Post may evolve; duties reviewed annually at appraisal. Must adhere to No Smoking and No Alcohol policies.Person Specification CondensedQualifications Essential: NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent. Care Certificate or willingness to undertake. Desirable: Additional training relevant to physical healthcare. Vocational Qualification Level 2.Knowledge & Skills Essential: Awareness of safeguarding and boundaries. Basic IT skills. Understanding of physical health needs. Good verbal and written communication. Organisational, problem solving, and assessment skills. Ability to maintain professional behaviour, confidentiality, and personcentred practice. Compassion, resilience, and ability to work with diverse needs. Desirable: Triangle of Care understanding. Willingness to share lived experience appropriately to support recovery.Experience Essential: Previous healthcare experience. Ability to work with minimal supervision. Experience supporting vulnerable adults. Ability to undertake baseline observations. Evidence of professional development. Desirable: Experience in physical health settings inpatient or community. Experience in MDT working. NHS experience. Supporting individuals to achieve recovery goals.Specific Skills Effective communication and teamwork. Ability to mentor junior staff. Accurate record keeping Ability to manage time and prioritise. Confidence, compassion, de-escalation skills. Lone working and breakaway skills (community roles). Desirable: Driving licence (community roles). Flexible working approach.Additional Requirements Friendly, caring, and approachable nature. Ability to work across a wide range of ages and conditions.