Job Description

Are you looking to gain a prestigious Healthcare qualification whilst working?
Why not join our Respiratory Ward 28A at North Bristol NHS Trust and start your healthcare career journey as an Apprenticeship Healthcare Support Worker!
The Apprentice Senior Healthcare Support Worker is a core member of the team delivering direct care to patients and supporting registered practitioners to deliver high-quality, compassionate health care to people in accordance with assessed needs and a care plan.
This apprenticeship position is a Band 2 to Band 3 development role for candidates who have Level 2 Functional Skills (Maths & English) and wish to begin an apprenticeship to gain a Level 3 Qualification in Senior Healthcare Support.
You should:

• have been resident in the UK for three years prior to commencing the apprenticeship (as per the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA))
• be in possession of a visa or right to work covering the length of the apprenticeship programme
• have Level 2 Functional Skills (Maths & English)
• notalready hold a level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care

Experience in a care role would be an advantage but not essential.
Unfortunately we are not able to offer sponsorship on this position.
Main duties of the job
Working as a Healthcare Support Worker, you will be involved with direct patient care whilst maintaining the privacy and dignity of patients. You will be working alongside a Registered Nurse to provide essential nursing care and helping your patients with daily living tasks such as:

• helping patients feel comfortable and move around
• monitoring patients and performing basic health checks
• washing, dressing patients and helping them go to the toilet
• serving meals and helping to feed patients
• documenting care provided to a high standard

Once progressed into a Senior HCW (Band 3) role, you will carry out a range of 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.
This apprenticeship training position will allow you to develop knowledge and skills, specific to your needs and your working area. As well as achieving a Level 3 Healthcare qualification, during your programme you will also be supported to obtain your Care Certificate, if not previously completed.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Details
Date posted
24 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
24,465 a year per annum, pro rata for part time roles
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
339-MED0624-GW
Job locations
Southmead Hospital
Bristol
BS10 5NB
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description attached for a full list of role responsibilities.
Nursing Care (under indirect supervision, once deemed competent)
1. Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.2. Duties are delegated to you in line with care plans3. Not all duties are routine, and you will need to use your knowledge, experience and understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility4. Once in a Band 3 role, you will carry out a range of 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.5. Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff6. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.7. Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.8. Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies9. Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.10. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.11. Maintain accurate records relating to communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills.12. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty13. Work effectively as part of a team. Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description attached for a full list of role responsibilities.
Nursing Care (under indirect supervision, once deemed competent)
1. Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.2. Duties are delegated to you in line with care plans3. Not all duties are routine, and you will need to use your knowledge, experience and understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility4. Once in a Band 3 role, you will carry out a range of 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.5. Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff6. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.7. Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.8. Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies9. Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.10. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.11. Maintain accurate records relating to communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills.12. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty13. Work effectively as part of a team.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• GCSE grade A- C (grade 4 and above) or equivalent in English
• GCSE grade A- C (grade 4 and above) or equivalent in Maths

Desirable

• One of the following: o Level 3 (SCQF - 6): - City and Guilds 3 o NVQ/ RQF Level 3 o BTEC National Diploma o OR experience equivalent to the above qualifications (1)
• Willingness to work towards the completion of the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)

Work Experience
Essential

• Be able to work as a member of a team
• Experience of time management and prioritising work

Desirable

• Experience of working in a health or social care setting
• Prior experience as a support worker

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
• IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills
• Ability and willingness to undertake appropriate training within given time frames

Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• GCSE grade A- C (grade 4 and above) or equivalent in English
• GCSE grade A- C (grade 4 and above) or equivalent in Maths

Desirable

• One of the following: o Level 3 (SCQF - 6): - City and Guilds 3 o NVQ/ RQF Level 3 o BTEC National Diploma o OR experience equivalent to the above qualifications (1)
• Willingness to work towards the completion of the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)

Work Experience
Essential

• Be able to work as a member of a team
• Experience of time management and prioritising work

Desirable

• Experience of working in a health or social care setting
• Prior experience as a support worker

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
• IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills
• Ability and willingness to undertake appropriate training within given time frames

Skills Required