Healthcare Support Worker
As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.
We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £250m estates programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train.The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.
We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.
We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.
At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.
As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.
Job overview
We are looking for a friendly, hardworking individual HealthCare Support Workers to join our team to assist the Registered Nurses in the delivery of care to babies/children/young people and their families within our Children's Unit. The Children’s Unit includes a busy assessment unit, 2 inpatient wards, an HDU and a surgical/medical day unit, Children's Area within the Emergency Department and Children's Outpatients (including Child Development Centre) and you will have the opportunity to work across all areas as required.
You must effectively communicate with babies, children, families & members of the multi-disciplinary team. You will ideally have experience of caring in a hospital environment/have worked with children in another setting. Being a friendly unit, we are committed to providing a high standard of care to our patients.If you are highly motivated individual, feel you can make a real difference to the quality of patient care delivery, then we would be very keen to hear from you.
Shifts are 12 hours rotation days/nights/weekends.
Please note: all staff being recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations when service demands require it.
This post is being advertised as a Band 3, however applicants that do not meet the required care certificate competencies will initially be employed as a Band 2. Applicants who hold a care certificate accreditation will start in post at Band 3.
Base - Poole Hospital
Interview Date: TBC
Main duties of the job- Caring for babies/children/young people and their families.
- With dignity and respect and in keeping with the University Hospital Dorset core values.
- Always maintain a courteous and helpful manner.
- Welcome children/young people, their families and visitors to the ward.
- Ensure that the patient’s property is handled in accordance with Trust procedures.
- Escort patients to other departments within the hospital if agreed by person in charge.
- Be sensitive to ensure that child’s privacy and choice is maintained, having special regard to issues of confidentiality.
- Assist with bed making and ensure that the children are comfortable.
- Ensure that the children’s accommodation is clean and tidy, including the cleaning and restocking of equipment.
- Ensure all documentation is recorded accurately, legibly signed and dated in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
- Follow safe working practices and take reasonable measures for the protection of themselves and patients, following instruction from clinical staff for the welfare of patients where appropriate.
- Helps patients / relatives overcome barriers to understanding when English is not their first language.
- Frequent requirement for concentration
- Other duties to reflect an evolving healthcare service.
Working for our organisation
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.
UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.
There is a planned move for this service anticipated during winter on November 25, 2025, when this role and base of work will relocate to Bournemouth Hospital. Upon relocation of the role/service, excess mileage allowance / reimbursement will not apply, and any travel between the potholder's home and work base will be classified as a commute.Any other changes unrelated to this, will be handled in line with Trust/National terms and conditions.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
please see the job description and personal specification for more details of the role, thank you. .
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- NVQ Level 2 in Care (or willingness to undertake this)
- care certificate
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience working with children
- Experience of working in a caring environment
- Experience of hospital/ward work
Skills
Essential criteria- Effective communication skills – both written and verbal / non verbal
- Ability to work as part of a team
- IT literate/basic IT skills
Please note:
Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.
This advert may be closed early if sufficient applications are received.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.
Internal Candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.