Job Description

Are you compassionate, caring and communicative? Would you like to be the best you can be or grow your career in a world-class teaching hospital? Have you been considering a change of occupation and looking for secure and rewarding employment?
We believe our Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) role offers this opportunity and our tailored training programme supports you to develop in your career.
We are excited to offer an opportunity for healthcare assistants to join our Children's Emergency Department at University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS).
As a Healthcare Support Worker, you will work under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or healthcare professional within the Emergency Department. You will help our nurses and doctors at UHS, by offering the highest standards of personal care and support to our patients.
Main duties of the job
There has never been a more exciting time to join the paediatric workforce in the emergency department at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated healthcare assistants to join our Children's Emergency Department (CED) both full and part time positions are available.
Within a large teaching hospital, we're also the regional children's major trauma centre. The purpose built service is a standalone department offering the following facilities - an 11-trolley acute illness and injury service, a safe room, eight bedded children short stay, children's X-ray within the service, a treatment/procedural room.
Our teams are enthusiastic, innovative, well-motivated and dedicated to high standards of care. We are keen to support, invest and challenge you within our supportive environment to develop you both clinically and professionally.
About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what's possible for the role and service.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Details
Date posted
03 July 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
24,169 a year per annum (pro rata)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
188-HCSW030725
Job locations
Southampton General Hospital
Southampton
SO16 6YD
Job description
Job responsibilities
What youll do:
You will form an integral part of our multi-disciplinary team providing excellent, high quality care to our paediatric population. You will be providing a high standard of individualised patient care demonstrating the Trust values through your work. Contribute to the smooth running of the department to ensure the 4 hour emergency target is hit. Communicate with patients/carers and take account of their individual needs and requests. Record, report and escalate information relating to care in an accurate and timely way. Assist with direct patient care.
What were looking for:We would love to hear from you if you enjoy working in a busy department and are eager to develop clinical skills in an acute hospital environment.
We will provide a comprehensive and supportive induction programme to ensure you complete your Care certificate and fully integrate into the team.
Flexibility with working hours is essential as this role will cover a variety of days and nights.
Development
After you have completed your 1-week foundation induction you will attend an extended induction consisting of 1 study day per month for 5 months (total 5 study days). During this time, with the support of your line manager you will be learning the additional skills necessary to be a Senior Healthcare Assistant such as:

• Taking physiological measurement
• Maintaining patients skin integrity
• Local specific skills such as cannulation, catheterisation and ecgs.

Upon successful completion of this training and its associated competency document containing the core HCSW competencies as well as the additional competencies required for a Band 3, you will progress into a Band 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker role.
If youre the kind of person who believes in putting patients first, is always looking to improve and are a team player, then wed love to hear from you! Job description
Job responsibilities
What youll do:
You will form an integral part of our multi-disciplinary team providing excellent, high quality care to our paediatric population. You will be providing a high standard of individualised patient care demonstrating the Trust values through your work. Contribute to the smooth running of the department to ensure the 4 hour emergency target is hit. Communicate with patients/carers and take account of their individual needs and requests. Record, report and escalate information relating to care in an accurate and timely way. Assist with direct patient care.
What were looking for:We would love to hear from you if you enjoy working in a busy department and are eager to develop clinical skills in an acute hospital environment.
We will provide a comprehensive and supportive induction programme to ensure you complete your Care certificate and fully integrate into the team.
Flexibility with working hours is essential as this role will cover a variety of days and nights.
Development
After you have completed your 1-week foundation induction you will attend an extended induction consisting of 1 study day per month for 5 months (total 5 study days). During this time, with the support of your line manager you will be learning the additional skills necessary to be a Senior Healthcare Assistant such as:

• Taking physiological measurement
• Maintaining patients skin integrity
• Local specific skills such as cannulation, catheterisation and ecgs.

Upon successful completion of this training and its associated competency document containing the core HCSW competencies as well as the additional competencies required for a Band 3, you will progress into a Band 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker role.
If youre the kind of person who believes in putting patients first, is always looking to improve and are a team player, then wed love to hear from you!
Person Specification
Qualifications / Training Required
Essential

• Completed care certificate or ability to complete within 6 months of appointment

Desirable

• BTEC level 2 or above in health and social care. Interested in undertaking further training
• Level 3 qualification; BTEC, L3 diploma, A levels

Previous or Relevant Experience Necessary
Desirable

• Previous experience in: Acute hospital setting, Volunteer sector, Teaching Assistant, Nursing Home carer
• HCA experience
• Experience in a caring role

Aptitudes & Skills Required
Essential

• Demonstrates clarity and breadth in use of verbal and written communications in relation to our patient group
• Ability to work as a team member and work under own initiative
• Clear rationale for applying for post
• Be able to take instruction / directions and work within the confines of the role

Desirable

• Able to demonstrate literacy and numeracy

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Ability to cope with fluctuating demands and pressures of the role
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to deal with a range of difficult situations
• Empathy, Patience, dependability and motivation

Special Requirements of the Post
Essential

• Able to cover a full range of shifts the role requires

Values & Behaviours
Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Person Specification
Qualifications / Training Required
Essential

• Completed care certificate or ability to complete within 6 months of appointment

Desirable

• BTEC level 2 or above in health and social care. Interested in undertaking further training
• Level 3 qualification; BTEC, L3 diploma, A levels

Previous or Relevant Experience Necessary
Desirable

• Previous experience in: Acute hospital setting, Volunteer sector, Teaching Assistant, Nursing Home carer
• HCA experience
• Experience in a caring role

Aptitudes & Skills Required
Essential

• Demonstrates clarity and breadth in use of verbal and written communications in relation to our patient group
• Ability to work as a team member and work under own initiative
• Clear rationale for applying for post
• Be able to take instruction / directions and work within the confines of the role

Desirable

• Able to demonstrate literacy and numeracy

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Ability to cope with fluctuating demands and pressures of the role
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to deal with a range of difficult situations
• Empathy, Patience, dependability and motivation

Special Requirements of the Post
Essential

• Able to cover a full range of shifts the role requires

Values & Behaviours
Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together