Healthcare Support Worker

Go back Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 04 January 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic individual to join our Discharge Lounge Team.

I have an NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care, or I have the equivalent experience in the health care role?

If you have an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or hold the equivalent experience required, subject to a successful interview and pre-employment checks you can join our band 3 workforce. The equivalent experience will be 2-year NHS substantive employment, or a member of our Countess of Chester Bank Team within a health care assistant role, or 3 years' experience in another health care setting, caring for equivalent patients.

Do not have an NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care, or have none / not enough equivalent experience in the health care role?

Upon starting your role, you will enter a six-month training post. During this period, your wage will be aligned to the National Living Wage. You will be expected to complete and be signed off on the required clinical skills, the Care Certificate, and our practical assessment documentation. Once all elements are successfully achieved, your pay will progress to Band 3.

We will support you in completing your NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care in partnership with Cheshire College. This 24-month programme will be delivered on site, and you will begin the course at the earliest available opportunity, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.

The Countess of Chester Hospital's Discharge Lounge accommodates an average of 45 patients daily. The service supports a timely discharge to enable patient flow. The service provides transport facilities for those that require it and fit the criteria, as well as ensuring patients are discharged with the correct medication. The role involves transferring patients from base wards to the Discharge Lounge, providing care whilst in the lounge and ensuring that the patients are discharged safely.

This is an opportunity to work with a small dynamic team supporting the overall flow of the organisation.

The right candidate will be provided with a 7 day Healthcare Assistant Induction, introducing you to the Trust and ensuring that you settle into your new role.

Successful candidates will be provided with resources and guidance to ensure completion of the national mandatory Care Certificate within 6 months of appointment.

Please see attached the Job Description for full list of duties & responsibilities for this role.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:

The Trust employs over 5916 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000. This includes 361,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

• Level 3 qualification (e.g. A-Level's, NVQ3) in Health & Social Care OR equivalent knowledge and experience
• Completion of the Care Certificate within specified timeframe on commencing employment with the Trust.
• In-depth understanding of the healthcare support worker role.

• Experience of working in a clinical environment and undertaking a range of relevant clinical skills with proven competencies.
• Experience working in the NHS.
• Knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities of a health care support worker.
• Can demonstrate an understanding of the importance of promoting patient independence.
• Additional clinical duties and activities as defined by…