Job overview
A very exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated lead health care assistant to join our dedicated nursing team in Trauma Orthopaedics on Shaugh Ward.
Shaugh Ward is a 30 bedded orthopaedic trauma unit which provides pre and post operative care for a wide range of patients from the age of 16 and above with orthopaedic injuries and complaints often as a result of life changing experiences.
We will support you to continue your ongoing development as an experienced Senior Healthcare Assistant and provide opportunities for you to learn new skills to carry with you on your journey and enhance your knowledge within orthopaedics.
You must have a passion for delivering kind and compassionate care and be willing to learn and develop within your role.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
- To assist in the delivery of care planned and assessed by the Registered Nurses.
- Encourage patients with their ADLs.
- To carry out care / other duties under indirect supervision.
- To supervise junior health care assistants making a contribution to their training and development.
- To undertake specific extended skills.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- For further details please see attached JD&PS.
- Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
- Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans.
- Ability to use your knowledge and experience to undertake non-routine duties and an understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility.
- To carry out a range of (limited) clinical duties with minimal / no supervision, including for example, blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation levels, body temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate, glucose monitoring, collection and testing of urine samples / faecal samples / sputum samples and wound swabs ensuring delivery of high-quality patient care at all times. NB: this list is not exhaustive and will vary depending on area of work.
- Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.
- Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.
- Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
- Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies.
- Utilising skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.
- Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Health Care Support Worker-Shaugh Ward with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Plymouth, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 Per Annum/Pro Rata. The contract type is Permanent: (Internal rotation). The application deadline is 04 Jun 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (21 May 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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