Band 3- Health Care Support Worker - Islington UCR

Job summary

As a key member of the Urgent Community Response Service, the post holder will work closely with both therapy and nursing teams. They will be expected to provide a high standard of person-centred care to adults in their own homes, care homes and places of residence which reflects the NVQ3 Care competencies to all patients living in the Community. The postholder will contribute to the prevention of unnecessary hospital admissions and facilitate early discharge from hospital.

The service runs from 0800-2200, 365 days a year. The postholder will be expected to work Monday - Friday 9am-5pm initially until probation is completed at which point changing to 8am - 8pm shifts can be considered depending on service needs.

Main duties of the job

• Participate in the assessment and implementation of nursing care/therapy needs in partnership with patients/carers in their own homes.
• Identify changes in patients' conditions and, within their capabilities, recognise where significant changes in the care plan are required and report these back to the senior nurse/therapist on duty in a prompt and timely manner.
• Liaise effectively with nursing, therapy and other members of the multi-disciplinary team within the scope of the Health Care Support Worker role and report back to the nurse in charge/therapy lead as appropriate.

Achieve competencies in the clinical skills and knowledge areas, for example:

Blood pressure monitoring

Blood sugar monitoring

Venepuncture

Administration of oral medication.

Simple sterile dressings

Best infection control practice

Manual handling and safe patient transfers

Pressure area care

Nutrition and hydration support

Continence care and support

Measuring and recording vital signs including NEWS2 observations

Safe use of rehabilitation equipment including mobility and toileting aids

About us

Equal opportunities

Our latest policy known as "Promoting Equality, Diversity and Human Rights" outlines the Trust's commitment to ensuring that no job applicant or employee receives less than favourable treatment on grounds of sex, marital and civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, colour, creed, religion or belief, physical disability, mental health, learning difficulty, age or sexual orientation and is not placed at a disadvantage by conditions or requirements that cannot be shown to be justifiable.

For more information about our policy and commitment to equality, click:

Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy (accessed June 2026)

Job responsibilities

Demonstrate a high standard of care according to Whittington Health and national quality assurance frameworks.

Always adhere to Whittington Health policies and procedures.

Organise own workload and establish priorities in collaboration with nurse in charge or lead therapist.

Always portray a positive image of the Urgent Community Response service.

Be able to work unsupervised.

Keep up to date and accurate patient records and electronic records.

Regularly participate in team meetings.

Liaise effectively with members of the wider multidisciplinary team within the scope of the Health Care Support Worker role, reporting back to the nurse in charge /therapy lead as appropriate.

Participate in the orientation of new staff.

Regularly participate in one-to-one meetings, objective- setting and clinical appraisal with line manager in line with the KSF framework.

Maintain an up-to-date portfolio.

Regularly participate in Clinical Supervision.

Be willing to expand nursing and therapy knowledge/skills by undertaking further training and helping to teach others where appropriate.

Be able to use Word documents, email and Internet and have a willingness to further develop computer skills.

Submit statistical information as required.

Participate in clinical audit in order to promote the development of patient centred care.

Assist and support team managers and administration staff in the management of office systems.

Participate with senior nurses and therapists in the re-development of the role as required by the service.

Undertake other duties within reasonable capacity and capability as required by the Team Managers and Service Manager

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
• Maths and English level 1
• Willing to work towards Level 2 functional skills

Desirable

• Completion of Care Certificate

Skills

Essential

• Ability to give appropriate advice to patients and carers
• Ability to use own initiative and at times work unsupervised
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to function well in times of pressure by prioritising and planning workload
• Flexible approach to task and location and working pattern

Desirable

• Evidence of ability to undertake the following clinical skills: oBlood Pressures oBlood Glucose Monitoring oMedication Administration oSterile Dressings o Venepuncture oInfection Control - Best Practice oPressure Area Care Manual handling Measuring and recording vital signs Safe use of rehab equipment

Knowledge

Essential

• Meet appropriate competencies in the primary health care / hospital setting