Health Care Support Worker

Job Description

About the Role

We are seeking compassionate, reliable, and motivated Health Care Support Workers (HCSWs) to join our multidisciplinary team at Northampton General Hospital. This role is essential in supporting patients with their care needs and working under the supervision of a registered healthcare professional to deliver high-quality, safe, and respectful care.

As part of our team, you will play an important role in helping patients maintain their dignity, health, and wellbeing during their time in hospital. You will also help maintain a clean, safe, and supportive care environment for both patients and staff.

Key Responsibilities

1. Direct Patient Care
Under supervision of a registered healthcare practitioner, you will:

• Assist patients with personal hygiene tasks, such as bathing, showering, oral care, and hair washing.

• Support patients during mealtimes, monitor food and fluid intake, and accurately complete nutritional charts.

• Help patients with toileting and continence needs; monitor and report any abnormalities in bowel or urinary function.

• Assist with the prevention of pressure ulcers by supporting patient mobility and monitoring skin integrity.

• Safely move and handle patients in line with the manual handling risk assessments and hospital policy.

2. Observations and Monitoring

• Take and record vital signs including temperature, pulse, respiration rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation using observation charts or Vital PAC.

• Calculate and record the Early Warning Score (EWS), and report any abnormalities to the registered nurse immediately.

3. Administrative & Clinical Support

• Assist with the admission process by recording non-clinical information, including next of kin, social history, and patient belongings.

• Collect and label clinical specimens such as urine, stool, sputum, and wound swabs for testing.

• Help maintain accurate and timely documentation as instructed.

4. Environment & Equipment

• Ensure that the ward area remains clean and organized, including patient bed areas, store rooms, treatment rooms, and equipment areas.

• Clean and maintain clinical equipment in accordance with infection prevention policies and procedures.

5. Equality, Diversity, and Respect

• Support and promote non-discriminatory, inclusive care that recognizes and respects each individual’s cultural, religious, and personal values.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues, patients, and families, ensuring effective communication at all times.

Requirements

Essential:

• Minimum of 6 months’ experience working in a health or social care setting.

• Ability to work effectively within a team and follow the guidance of registered professionals.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Basic understanding of patient dignity, confidentiality, and safeguarding practices.

• Good written and verbal English.

Compliance:

• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check required.

• Proof of Right to Work in the UK (This role does not qualify for visa sponsorship).

• Up-to-date mandatory training (can be arranged if necessary).

Our Values

At Northampton General Hospital, we are committed to our Excellence Values:

• Compassion – We care about people

• Accountability – We take responsibility

• Respect – We value everyone

• Integrity – We are always honest

• Courage – We always do the right thing

We are proud to support equality, inclusion, and diversity in our workforce and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from the Armed Forces community, and people of protected characteristics.

Join Us

If you are passionate about patient care and are ready to make a positive difference, we would love to hear from you. Apply early, as this vacancy may close before the stated deadline once we receive sufficient applications.