Thank you for your interest in joining CSH as a Health Care Support Worker (HCSW).

We'd love to hear from you if you want to join us as a valued and essential part of the CSH family and the NHS. 

What is a HCSW?

Healthcare Support Workers are one of the largest groups of clinical support workers. You will be a valued member of a team working under the supervision of nurses and healthcare professionals, supporting them and helping patients live the healthiest lives they can in their communities. Your focus will be on keeping patients at the centre of all we do, providing high quality care and living our CARE values

Although it is hard work, it is also very rewarding where you can make a real difference to people's lives. You will be part of a supportive team. CSH could not run without our healthcare support workers. 

What tasks could I be doing?

Every day can be different depending on the needs of the service users and requests from the nursing and registered healthcare professionals supervising you.

Tasks can include: 

  • Supporting patients who need assistance to get dressed, to eat, or with their personal hygiene for example taking them to the toilet or assisting in washing themselves.
  • Making sure that patients are comfortable and well looked after.
  • Helping people who have difficulty getting around and moving in or out of bed. This could include the use of specialist equipment for example a hoist.
  • Engaging with patients – listen to and talk to patients.
  • Being the calming influence when a patient or their family is upset or in distress.
  • Keeping accurate records on how much a patient eats or drinks, how much they weigh, calculating and recording BMI.
  • Clinical tasks (depending on area of work), for example dressing changes, giving insulin, injections, catheterisation/ catheter care.
  • Supporting patients with their rehabilitation and prescribed exercises
  • Record a patient’s temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure.
  • Undertaking physical and mental health observations with individual patients which contribute to care planning and risk assessment (safeguarding).
  • Advising nursing or AHP colleagues of any concerns you may have. 

Ward Based HCSW

Working alongside colleagues of the Multi-disciplinary team on a ward environment.

Community Nursing/ Allied Health Professional HCSW

You will need to travel to patient's homes so a full driving license and access to a car is essential. Shift patterns will vary but you will be expected to work evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays to meet the needs of our service users. 

What do I need to become a HCSW?

There are no set requirements, however good literacy and numeracy is essential. If you work in the Community Nursing and Urgent Care teams, you will need a full driving license and access to a car. CSH welcomes applications from people who are new to care, as well as those who have previous healthcare experience.

Throughout the application process, you should consider the CSH CARE values - Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence. 

Pay and benefits 

HCSWs are paid according to the NHS Agenda for Change system, typically beginning in a Band 2 or Band 3 role. 

You will have access to NHS benefits such as paid leave (starting at 27 days per year, plus bank holidays, and rising to 29 days after 5 years service up to 33 days after 10 years service), paid sick leave and automatic enrollment on the NHS pension scheme. 

In addition, CSH offers a wide range of other benefits.

Training and development

As a HCSW you will learn about basic nursing skills and also work towards completing the Care Certificate. This role could lead to a number of opportunities, such as the chance to study for qualifications through an apprenticeship; getting your qualifications fully-paid for and receiving a salary whilst you become either a Nursing Associate or Registered Healthcare Professional.

Our exciting new HCSW career and skills development pathway programme provides structured training and support so you can achieve your full potential and career aspirations as well as giving you the opportunity to 'earn while you learn' in a similar way to an apprenticeship. It means that you won't incur any student fees and will have the opportunity to achieve clinical professional qualifications leading to a career in health. 

Why work at CSH?

If you come and work for us you will join the CSH family. 

At CSH we care deeply – about the health services we provide, about our patients and clients, and about each other.