Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work as a Healthcare Support Worker in our Intensive Care Unit!
Our ICU is a purpose-built state of the art 48-bedded unit within one of the UK's first 450 million super-hospitals, achieving excellent outcomes including some of the highest trauma survival rates in the country!
A Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) is a core member of the team delivering personal care to patients and supporting registered practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate care.
You will carry out a range of non-clinical healthcare tasks, under the direct supervision of the registered healthcare practitioner. Your role is to provide compassionate care, to agreed quality standards and in accordance with Trust values.
There will be opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, specific to your individual needs. Training will be provided to ensure you have the required core skills and skills set specific to your area of work. You will also be supported to obtain your care certificate if you do not have this qualification.
Please note, due to home office rules set by the UK government, we are not able to offer skilled worker sponsorship on this role.
Main duties of the job
Working as a Healthcare Support Worker, you will:

• Perform basic nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse
• Assist patients with daily living tasks such as;

• helping patients feel comfortable and move around
• performing basic health checks
• washing, dressing patients and personal hygiene
• serving meals and helping to feed patients
• Assist the registered nurse in the assessment, planning and evaluation of nursing care
• Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies
• Ensure that the patients bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible
• Develop the skills to maintain effective communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care
• Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty

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.
We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.
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
17 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
24,465 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
339-TA-HCSW-ICU0925
Job locations
Southmead Hospital
Bristol
BS10 5NB
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description & personal specification for full list of responsibilities. 1. Develop the skills to obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.2. Under supervision follow individual patient care plans and report any changes immediately to the RegisteredNurse/Assistant Practitioner.3. Participate in basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and feeding back to the registerednurse to ensure high standards of care, in particular relating to skin integrity and the alertness of the patient4. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentratefor periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.5. Ensure care is given in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies andprocedures.6. Ensure that the patients bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible and that the person has what they needwithin easy reach.7. Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.8. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies9. Develop the skills to maintain effective communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communicationskills.10. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty11. Work effectively as part of a team Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description & personal specification for full list of responsibilities. 1. Develop the skills to obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.2. Under supervision follow individual patient care plans and report any changes immediately to the RegisteredNurse/Assistant Practitioner.3. Participate in basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and feeding back to the registerednurse to ensure high standards of care, in particular relating to skin integrity and the alertness of the patient4. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentratefor periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.5. Ensure care is given in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies andprocedures.6. Ensure that the patients bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible and that the person has what they needwithin easy reach.7. Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.8. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies9. Develop the skills to maintain effective communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communicationskills.10. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty11. Work effectively as part of a team
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential

• Level 2 NVQ/ QCF Diploma in Healthcare or willingness to undertake appropriate training & qualifications within given time frames

Desirable

• Level 3 NVQ or BTEC National Diploma
• GCSE A*- D, or equivalent in English
• GCSE A* - D, or equivalent in Mathematics

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

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
• IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills
• Ability to work with minimum supervision to a high standard

Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential

• Level 2 NVQ/ QCF Diploma in Healthcare or willingness to undertake appropriate training & qualifications within given time frames

Desirable

• Level 3 NVQ or BTEC National Diploma
• GCSE A*- D, or equivalent in English
• GCSE A* - D, or equivalent in Mathematics

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

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
• IT skills, basic word, Email, keyboard skills
• Ability to work with minimum supervision to a high standard

Skills Required