Healthcare Support Worker

Job summary

A Band 3 Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) on a Gastroenterology Ward plays a key role in supporting registered nurses and the multidisciplinary team to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients with gastrointestinal, liver, pancreatic, and bowel conditions. The post holder works under the supervision of registered staff, undertaking delegated clinical and non-clinical duties while promoting patients' dignity, comfort, and wellbeing.

Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Care

• Provide high-quality personal care to patients, including washing, dressing, toileting, and feeding.
• Monitor and record patients' observations such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturations, and blood glucose levels (following training and competency assessment).
• Support patients with mobility, rehabilitation, and activities of daily living.
• Recognise and report changes in a patient's condition to registered nurses.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR and NHS standards.
• Complete mandatory training and maintain competencies.
• Demonstrate Trust values and provide compassionate, patient-centred care.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create anenvironment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Job responsibilities

Main Responsibilities

Direct Patient Care

• Assist patients with personal care needs, including washing, dressing, toileting, and nutrition.
• Support patients with mobility, rehabilitation, and activities of daily living.
• Monitor and record vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and blood glucose levels where appropriate.
• Escalate concerns promptly to registered nurses when a patient's condition deteriorates.

Specialist Gastroenterology Care

• Provide care for patients with gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, and digestive cancers.
• Assist with the preparation and recovery of patients undergoing investigations and procedures such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and liver biopsy.
• Support patients requiring enteral feeding, stoma care, and management of drainage systems under supervision and within competency.
• Observe and report symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, bleeding, or changes in bowel habits.

For further details please see the attached job description.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oNVQ Level 3 in care or working towards oDemonstrate basic numeracy and literacy skills

Desirable

• oAdditional qualifications/training relevant to speciality

Experience

Essential

• oRecent clinical experience in a hospital environment as a HCA at least at band 2

Desirable

• oClinical experience in specialty

Knowledge

Essential

• oUnderstanding of Trust Policy and Procedure

Desirable

• oAn understanding of current issues relating to the NHS.

Skills

Essential

• oPatient focused oGood communication and interpersonal skills oCapable of dealing with sensitive and distressing situations oAble to use initiative oBasic IT skills oAbility to work in a team oMotivated and enthusiastic oApproachable oAdaptable oDemonstrable commitment to role

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential

• oMust be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's values. (As detailed in UHCW's Values in Action document below) oApplicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience