Trainee Healthcare Support Worker
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Are you looking to join Team Countess as a Healthcare Support Worker?
We are pleased to offer a training pathway for individuals wishing to develop their career as a Healthcare Support Worker. Following a recent change to the role, an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience is now required to work substantively at Band 3.This training role has been introduced to support individuals who do not yet meet these requirements.
Successful applicants will be appointed to the post for a period of up to 6 months. During this training period, salary will be aligned to the National Living Wage.
Throughout this period, you will be expected to:
- Complete and be signed off on the required clinical skills.
- Achieve the Care Certificate (if not already held) or complete the Trust’s Practical Assessment Documentation
- Complete all Mandatory training requirements
Once all elements of the training programme have been successfully completed and signed off, your pay will progress to Agenda for Change Band 3.
In addition, the Trust will support you to complete the NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care in partnership with Cheshire College. This is a 21‑month programme, delivered on site, and you will be enrolled at the earliest available opportunity.
Please note this advert is for a Trainee Healthcare Support Worker role. If you have the qualifications and / or experience, please apply on vacancy 210-2026-01-E.
Please note, this role is not eligible for sponsorship.
Main duties of the job
We will support you in completing your NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care in partnership with Cheshire College. This 21‑month programme will be delivered on site, and you will begin the course at the earliest available opportunity.
We are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic individuals who want to help Team Countess provide Safe, Kind and effective care to join us.
The right candidate will be provided with a 7-day Healthcare Assistant Induction, introducing you to the Trust and ensuring that you settle into your new role.
Successful candidates will be provided with resources and guidance to ensure completion of the national mandatory Care Certificate within 6 months of appointment.
Please see attached the Job Description for full list of duties & responsibilities for this role.
Working for our organisation
The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:
- The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
- Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
- Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies whcih is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential criteria- Level 3 qualification (e.g. A-Level’s, NVQ3) in Health & Social Care OR equivalent knowledge and experience.
- Completion of the Care Certificate within specified timeframe on commencing employment with the Trust.
- In-depth understanding of the healthcare support worker role.
Skills And Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working in a clinical environment and undertaking a range of relevant clinical skills with proven competencies.
- Experience working in the NHS.
- Knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities of a health care support worker.
- Can demonstrate an understanding of the importance of promoting patient independence.
- Additional clinical duties and activities as defined by the area of work under the delegation of the registered nurse.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.
The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK
For details regarding salary requirements of a skilled worker, please refer to the Skilled Worker Visa Immigration Salary List.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules
For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.
Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.