Generic Support Worker (Frailty SDEC/CAU)

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Generic Support Worker (Frailty SDEC/CAU)

The closing date is 07 June 2026

We require support workers for the Frailty Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. The unit supports individuals who require assessments to enable a safe discharge and helps them achieve specific goals enabling safe discharge back into the community or their own home.

Permanent full time and part time positions are available.

Note the following essential requirements:

• Experience in a UK healthcare/NHS role
• Level 2 Health & Social Care NVQ Level 2 or NHS accredited Care Certificate (short online courses do not qualify)

An Enhanced DBS with Adults’ Barred List checks will be obtained during pre‑employment checks.

This vacancy will close once we receive sufficient quality applications.

Main duties of the job

• Assist and work under the direction of Registered Nurses, Chartered Physiotherapists and State Registered Occupational Therapists
• Assist in the administration and clerical duties of the unit
• Administer and monitor the stock of aids for independence and other departmental equipment
• Work flexibly when required, covering a 7‑day 24hr service

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical

• Assist Nurses, Therapists and other team members in the rehabilitation of patients using delegated treatment techniques and following care plans.
• Work independently with routine delegated tasks, supervise and evaluate work, and undertake delegated patient interviews and functional screen for safe use of aids and appliances.
• Follow treatment plans, identifying activities that meet treatment goals.
• Encourage individuals to maintain optimum independence through therapeutic activity with empathy and good interpersonal skills.
• Manage reablement as delegated, reporting progress or adverse reactions appropriately.
• Handle selection, fitting, adjusting and checking of equipment following prescriptions from Occupational Therapists or Physiotherapists.
• Communicate with patients/carers to provide reassurance and promote understanding.
• Assist in information collection from patients or relatives as requested.
• Use communication tools to gain informed consent even when barriers exist.
• Assess capacity, gain valid consent, and work within legal frameworks with patients who lack consent.
• Prioritise tasks and adjust as necessary.
• Ensure documentation meets Trust and departmental requirements.
• Handle housekeeping and stock control on the Unit.
• Be competent in phlebotomy and simple dressings.
• Participate in simple additional tasks such as swallowing assessments, foot screening and nutritional reviews, referring to specialities as appropriate.

Professional

• Attend in‑service training programmes as appropriate.
• Participate in appraisal, performance review programme and supervision.
• Maintain continuing professional development (CPD).
• Respect individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients.
• Exercise good time management, punctuality and consistent attendance.
• Assist JHRU staff in induction and training of new staff.

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Be aware of Health and Safety aspects, implement policies and report accidents.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive, up‑to‑date documentation in line with legal and departmental requirements.
• Comply with organisational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Undertake departmental administrative duties as required.
• Undertake any other duties deemed appropriate by the relevant RN/Team Leader or Therapy Lead.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Report to Nursing and Therapy staff on all treatment activities.
• Communicate effectively within the team and with patients/carers.
• Maintain good working relationships and establish therapeutic relationships.

Responsibility for Finance

• Identify deficits in resources and bring to attention of Team Leader.
• Monitor materials and equipment and report deficits.
• Adhere to financial policies.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Attend regular meetings (e.g., staff, support and development groups).
• Participate in in‑service training.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 requires a proactive role towards risk management and incident reporting.

Responsibility for Teaching

• Assist JHRU staff in induction and training of new staff.
• Responsibilities may be modified with changing service demands.

Work Circumstances & on‑call

• 37.5 hours per week over 7 days.
• Shift patterns to be agreed on appointment.

Qualifications

• NVQ Health & Social Care Level 2 or NHS Care Certificate

Experience

• Experience in a relevant healthcare field (NHS or UK)

Skills

• Good basic numeracy and literacy skills
• Life skills gained through work or personal experience
• Able to teach practical skills
• Able to work single-handed with groups or individuals
• Observational skills
• Good personal organisation
• Able to problem solveAble to work as part of a team
• Good written, verbal and non‑verbal communication skills
• Motivational skills
• Able to recognise and work within own personal limitations

Knowledge

• Awareness of illness and disability
• Basic understanding of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Nursing Care
• Knowledge of confidentiality and professional conduct
• Knowledge of Health and Safety and risk awareness

Additional

• Must be able to assist with aspects of personal care
• Will undertake within 3 months of appointment training on basic IT, group skills and clinical competencies
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning
• Willing to work flexibly in line with service needs
• Speak English to an appropriate standard

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 per annum, pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time

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