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Job overview
A very exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated lead health care assistant to join our dedicated nursing team in Sharp Ward.
Sharp ward is a 29 bedded ward including 5 acute assessment beds that predominantly cares for patients with Neck of Femur fractures and other Orthopaedic injuries,
We will support you to develop as a healthcare assistant and 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
- Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing care (i.e. washing, mouthcare, toileting, manual handling & mobility), recognising and meeting the specific needs of patients.
- To manage, under indirect supervision, own workload within clinical area and competencies of the post.
- To carry out clinical observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting all changes in patients’ condition to senior staff.
- To support maintenance of fluid balance and dietary charts, recognising, recording, and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
- To carry out observations of skin integrity over pressure points, recognising and reporting all findings to senior staff.
- To complete documentation for Manual Handling Charts, to be assessed by registered staff.
- To recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and carers, and to be able to advise and refer patients on where to access information.
- Document and sign for all observations and care given with counter signature from a registered practitioner.
- To maintain his/her own professional development, attending courses/further training to enhance and optimise his/her role within the work area.
- To participate in the training and development of junior staff on the ward and participate in the supervision and support of trainee Healthcare Assistants.
For further information please see attached job description
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- One of the following o Accredited Level 3 (SCQF – 6): - City and Guilds 3 o NVQ 3 o Accredited BTEC National Diploma o Demonstrable experience equivalent to the above qualifications
- Level 2 Functional skills in English and Math’s, or equivalent
- Completion of accredited Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
- Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
- Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
- Demonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
- Be able to work as a member of a team
- Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW) Sharp 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 £24,937 - £26,598 Per Annum. The contract type is Permanent: Internal rotation. The application deadline is 22 Jul 2026.
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