Healthcare support workers work across a variety of settings, from mental health to children’s services. The choice is yours. As a healthcare support worker, you’ll work under the supervision of a healthcare professional, supporting them and helping patients on their journey back to full health.
There are no set entry requirements to become a healthcare support worker, but good literacy and numeracy skills are expected, and in some cases GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and maths are required too. You may also need a healthcare qualification such as a BTEC or NVQ for some of our roles.
Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours and may include a mix of shifts, such as nights, early starts, evenings and weekends. As a healthcare support worker, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 2.
For some roles, some experience of healthcare or care work may be beneficial – this could be from paid or voluntary work, or through experience you bring in from previous roles. You’ll also need to be caring, kind and willing to really get stuck into the role – it’s a hands-on environment where teamwork, communication and organisational skills are vital.
You’ll have access to world-class training and learn basic nursing skills. You’ll also work towards gaining qualifications such as the Care Certificate. But that’s not all. You’ll gain plenty of on-the-job experience and be surrounded by experts who’ll support you as you progress through your career. And with regular check-ins to discuss your career aspirations, you’ll always be moving forward.
Related roles
School nurse [6]
School nurses are specialist community public health nurses (SCPHN) who work with school-aged children and young people and their families to improve health and wellbeing outcomes and reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities.
To train as a school nurse, you must first qualify and register as a nurse or midwife. You may then take an approved programme in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN). Nurses or midwives from any branch of nursing can enter the programme at any stage as long as they demonstrate that they can meet the academic requirements.
Jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. School nursing jobs usually start at band 6 but there is opportunity to move up the bands with experience. School nurses in the NHS will usually work standard hours of 37.5 per week. School nurses are increasingly being employed by local authorities where terms and conditions can vary.
You'll need to be well organised, confident and able to cope with potentially challenging situations, such as working with a homeless family or in a refuge. You should be able to work independently for most of your time, although you will work as part of a team of other healthcare staff. You'll be responsible for people with a range of needs, so being flexible and being able to prioritise effectively is vital.
You might choose to work towards senior school nursing or managerial roles, or carry out research and possibly become a lecturer in nursing or a related subject. You may also choose to qualify as a specialist community public health nurse (SCPHN).
Related roles
- Children's nurse [7]
- Mental health nurse [8]
- Health visitor [9]
- Learning disability nurse [10]