New to Healthcare Programme

This role requires you to have current right to work in the UK, it is not eligible for sponsorship.

Embark on a healthcare career with our new to care programme. No prior healthcare experience ? No problem! Dive into four weeks of training, combining study days and on-the-job training as a trainee h ealthcare s upport w orker (HCSW). 

We will continue to support you to complete your Care Certificate (a nationally recognised qualification in care) within 12 weeks and help settle you into the role .  

It’s important that you’re a caring and kind person with a genuine desire to help and support patients and their families. If this sounds like you, then you already have the attributes that make a great healthcare support worker.  

As a healthcare support worker, you’ll be a hugely valuable support to our nursing teams providing care to our patients. Every day will be different and you’ll work alongside the rest of the team carrying out a wide range of tasks such as :  

• Washing and dressing patients  
• Serving meals and feeding patients  
• Helping patients to move around  
• Making beds  
• Talking to patients and their families  
• Monitoring patient’s conditions  

Full time hours are required for the first four weeks while you are a trainee; it will be from Monday to Friday and will involve some early and late shifts. 

On completion of the four weeks training and experience, flexible working opportunities can be discussed , with part time posts available from a minimum of 22.5 hours. All posts are within our inpatient areas and require you to work a range of shifts, including early, late, weekends, and night shifts. Long days are available in some areas.  

Here is a breakdown of the programme:

Week 1 — Training/induction

In the first week, you will receive corporate induction, be introduced to the role of HCSW, commence Care Certificate and complete mandatory training.

Week 2-4 — Work experience

During work experience you will do 4 shifts (7.5 hours each, Monday to Friday between 08:00 - 20:00) per week gaining work experience and local induction with a designated buddy in the clinical team. You will also get 1 day in the classroom to continue to the completion of the Care Certificate.

Week 5 — Substantive post

You’ll be employed into a permanent substantive HCSW post within a team. This means you will be expected to fulfil your duties as a HCSW, but will continue to be supported by the clinical team.

Week 5-12 — Completion of the Care Certificate

You will be supported by your team to complete the Care Certificate and attend two further Care Certificate training days. This is a nationally recognised certificate in the NHS.

0-12 months — Ongoing support

You will receive ongoing pastoral support and have the opportunity to engage with career conversations to fuel your development.

Pay and benefits

As a trainee HCSW, you will be paid at Band 2 wages. From day one you can gain access to our full staff benefits package, alongside a generous annual leave allowance and NHS pension. Upon completion of the programme, you will have access to a range of opportunities including registered nursing associate apprenticeships and enhanced pay for certain shifts.