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Job summary

Main area
Outpatients
Grade
Band 3
Contract
18 months (fixed term please)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (weekend and evening working on adhock basis)
Job ref
153-SP05280
Employer
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Poole Hospital St Marys Site
Town
Poole
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 pa
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
24/11/2025 23:59
Interview date
10/12/2025

Employer heading

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Support Worker - Outpatient Assessment Centre

Band 3

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £250m estates programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce. 

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

We are looking for a compassionate, reliable and enthusiastic Band 3 Health Care Support Worker to join our friendly and fast-paced team in the Outpatient Assessment Centre and Minor Procedure Suite at St Mary’s Site, University Hospitals Dorset.

This varied role involves working across multiple clinical specialties, including:

· Urology

· Trauma & Orthopaedics

· Dermatology

· Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)

· And other day-case specialties

As a Band 3 HCSW, you will support registered nurses, clinicians, and patients through all stages of minor procedures. You’ll play an essential part in delivering high standards of personal care, maintaining a safe environment, and supporting the smooth running of clinics and procedure sessions. These will be busy clinics and would suit someone who is organised and able to move from task to task.

Interview Date: 10th December 2025 

Main duties of the job

Patient Care and Support

· Assist in the preparation of patients for outpatient procedures, ensuring privacy, dignity, and comfort at all times.

· Support patients before, during and after minor surgical or diagnostic procedures, under supervision of registered staff.

· Monitor patient observations (e.g. pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) and report any concerns to a registered nurse.

· Support the recovery and discharge of patients following procedures, providing clear post-care instructions when appropriate.

· Escort patients safely between areas on beds and chairs when required.

· Provide reassurance and emotional support to patients, carers, and families.

Clinical and Technical Duties

· Assist in setting up and maintaining procedure rooms, ensuring equipment is clean, available, and fit for purpose.

· Undertake cleaning of clinical equipment and rooms in accordance with infection prevention and control policies.

· Assist with specimen labelling and transport according to local protocols.

· Maintain stock levels, ordering and replenishing supplies to ensure efficient service delivery.

· Accurately document care provided, including patient observations and interventions, in line with Trust policy.

Working for our organisation

our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues. UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme. This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.

 

Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and condition

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication and Teamwork

· Work closely with registered nurses, advanced clinical practitioners, consultants, and administrative staff as part of a multidisciplinary team.

· Participate in handovers and team briefings to support continuity of care.

· Communicate effectively and respectfully with patients and staff, including handling sensitive conversations.

· Report any patient concerns, changes in condition, or incidents promptly to a registered nurse.

Professional Responsibilities

· Actively participate in mandatory training and learning opportunities relevant to the role.

· Undertake competency assessments in line with Trust guidelines for Band 3 duties (e.g. venepuncture, ECG recording, or wound care – if trained).

· Maintain awareness of Trust policies, procedures, and values, working within scope of role at all times.

· Take responsibility for own personal development and seek support from senior staff when required.

Working Conditions / Physical Demands

· Frequent standing, walking, and assisting with patient mobility and equipment.

· Regular exposure to clinical environments, including body fluids and medical equipment.

· Requirement to manage emotionally challenging situations and provide support to distressed or anxious patients.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Good standard of numeracy and Literacy
  • Completion of a competency-based workbook (Care Certificate) or equivalent relevant experience to vocational level 3.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Ability to adapt and learn in healthcare environment
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience of working within a care environment /NHS
  • Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Experience of working with the public

technical skills / Competencies

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (to understand and be understood)
  • Ability to follow clear instruction and feed back to senior staff.
  • Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative
  • IT literate
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding of basic physiology e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.
  • Venepuncture
  • Simple wound dressings
  • Performing ECG’s

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • An understanding around basic patient care
  • Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well-being
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation;
  • Have an understanding of ENT, Oral maxillofacial and ophthalmology clinics

other requirements specific to role

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate with all levels of staff
  • Ability to exchange factual information accurately
  • Ability to deal with sensitive situations
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to deal with difficult patient/ relatives and clinicians
  • Is adaptable to to different clinical areas

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Disability Confident - two yearsUHD ValuesApprenticeships logoArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into health

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dionne Carroll
Job title
Sister
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0300 019 1102
Additional information

 

 

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