Senior Clinical Support Worker

Job summary

This is a Six-month Secondment/Fixed Term Job Help shape a safer, more therapeutic future for patient care At Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we are developing a new and innovative approach to Enhanced Therapeutic Observation and Care (ETOC). This model places compassion, therapeutic engagement, dignity, least restrictive practice and patient safety at the centre of enhanced care delivery. We are looking for compassionate, resilient and curious individuals to join the ETOC Team as Enhanced Therapeutic Observation and Care Clinical Support Workers (ETOC CSWs). This is a six-month pilot role supporting some of the most vulnerable patients across the Trust. Working under the direction of the ETOC Team Project Nurses and multidisciplinary clinical teams, you will provide enhanced therapeutic observation, meaningful engagement and delegated care support to patients who may be distressed, confused, cognitively impaired, experiencing delirium, living with mental health needs, at risk of falls, at risk of absconding, or presenting with behaviours that may place themselves or others at risk. This is not a traditional watch and observe role. It is an active, therapeutic and person-centred role where your interaction, communication and emotional awareness will directly influence patient safety, dignity and experience. If you believe that human connection can transform care outcomes - we want to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

About the role As an ETOC Clinical Support Worker, you will deliver enhanced therapeutic observation and care across clinical areas in response to patients requiring enhanced support. You may be asked to provide: Within arms length care Within eyesight care Enhanced therapeutic engagement Reassurance and emotional support De-escalation and distraction strategies Support with personal care and daily living activities Observation, documentation and timely escalation of changes in risk or presentation The role requires you to balance vigilance with compassion. You will help maintain safety while preserving dignity, independence, autonomy and least restrictive care wherever possible. You will work flexibly across wards and clinical areas and may be redeployed at short notice depending on patient need before or during your shift.

About us

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to delivering the highest quality and safest treatment and care to every patient, every time. Our vision is to provide the highest quality specialist and integrated care. We will do this through delivery of our multi-year goals and strategic priorities, which you can read about on this page. Central to it all is The Leeds Way our values and behaviours that are at the heart of everything we do.

Details

• Date posted: 04 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 6 months
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 001116
• Job locations: St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Important information

• This is a six-month PILOT role only.
• We cannot provide VISA sponsorship via this seconded/fixed term position
• Comprehensive training will be provided the first two weeks of commencing the role
• FOR INTERNAL CANDIATES - Please ensure you have permission from your current line manager to be released for secondment

What makes this role different?

This role combines traditional clinical support worker skills with a more focused therapeutic approach to enhanced care.

You will be part of a developing Trust initiative focused on improving how enhanced observation is delivered, moving away from task-based observation towards purposeful therapeutic engagement.

As a ETOC CSW, you will focus on:

• Build positive and therapeutic relationships with patients
• Support patients through distress, confusion, anxiety or behavioural escalation
• Deliver compassionate enhanced observation and engagement
• Help reduce avoidable escalation and restrictive intervention
• Encourage meaningful activity and patient participation
• Contribute to safer, calmer ward environments
• Work dynamically across clinical areas in response to patient needs
• Contribute to safer wards and improved patient experiences
• Be part of a developing Trust initiative focused on innovation and quality improvement

We will offer you:

• Full comprehensive ETOC training programme delivered before starting clinical activity.
• Supported Reflective Professional Development sessions and post-incident Reflective Hot Debriefs
• Opportunities to contribute to service improvement and development

Main Duties of the Role

You will:

• Deliver high standards of compassionate and person-centred care
• Provide enhanced therapeutic observation and support
• Monitor patient presentation, behaviour, mood and escalation risks
• Recognise early signs of deterioration and escalate concerns appropriately
• Use verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques
• Support patients with activities of daily living such as nutrition, hydration, hygiene and mobility needs
• Assist with documentation, electronic records and observation systems
• Work collaboratively with nurses, doctors and allied health professionals
• Maintain professionalism during challenging or emotionally distressing situations
• Contribute to a safe, calm and therapeutic ward environment

The role requires individuals who can balance vigilance with empathy - maintaining safety while preserving dignity, autonomy and compassion.

Please see the attached job description for further information about this vacancy.

About You

We are looking for people who are:

• Compassionate and patient-focused
• Calm under pressure
• Emotionally resilient
• Observant and professionally curious
• Non-judgmental and respectful
• Strong communicator
• Team players with excellent interpersonal skills
• Motivated to improve patient experience and safety
• Able to work shifts as the service requires

Experience within healthcare is essential, acute or community or private care (particularly desiderable having worked in areas involving enhanced care, dementia care, behavioural support, mental health, rehabilitation, or complex patient needs).

To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application. Full guidance on these concessions, including details of who may qualify, can be found here.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.