Open the door to your NHS career today. Discover how you can earn while you learn.
Join our Healthcare Support Worker development (HCSWD) programme, where you will learn on the job at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust at the Torbay Hospital and surrounding areas, including Brixham, Totnes, Newton Abbot, and Dawlish over a 3‑month period.
Pay rates: Days: £12.71, Saturdays/Nights: £17.64, Sunday/Bank holidays: £22.90
Why might this job interest you?
During your placement, you’ll work toward achieving the widely recognized Care Certificate with the training you need to become a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW), also known as Healthcare Assistant (HCA). Throughout, you’ll have supportive supervision from your mentor/Ward Manager.
Upon graduation as a HCSW, you can progress your career by accessing further training. This path may lead to potential roles such as Senior Healthcare Assistant, Assistant Practitioner, Nursing Associate, or eventually Nursing or Midwifery.
Where will you be working?
You’ll be part of an organisation focused on making a real difference to the lives of the people we support, and their families. We also prioritise the health and wellbeing of our staff; regardless of your skills or experience, there’s likely to be a role that suits you. Whether you prefer working in a city, countryside, or coastal location, Devon offers all three—making it a great place to live and work.
Main Responsibilities
As a trainee HCSW, you will develop key skills, including:
- Meeting patients’ daily living needs—from hygiene to personal and physical comfort.
- Taking basic observations, explaining treatment and updating patient records.
- Supporting patients with mobility, assisting at mealtimes, and conversing with them.
- Assisting in preparation for clinical procedures and cleaning the environment afterward.
- Working individually and as part of a team, supporting registered nurses and other healthcare practitioners in providing patient care.
- Complying with Trust and local policies and procedures, including Safeguarding and Infection Prevention and Control.
Benefits we can offer you
- Career progression—achieve a Care Certificate and begin your healthcare career with the NHS.
- Weekly pay—access your wages more quickly.
- Join the NHS family—become part of a respected healthcare team and provide patient care.
- Dedicated training and supervised shifts—support from your ward/area and skilled mentors.
- Development opportunities via the Trust.
- Webinar support—regular monthly sessions covering the Care Certificate workbook, Conflict Management training and more.
The Ideal Candidate
What you’ll need:
- At least 3 months of healthcare experience within the last 2 years.
- A passion for care and a commitment to the six enduring values that underpin ‘compassion in practice’—Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment.
- To be over 18 or turning 18 before placement.
- Ability to work at least 30 hours a week across early, late and night shifts during the programme.
What’s next?
If selected, you will be invited to an interview and assessment day on Thursday 9 July 2026, followed by three days of unpaid classroom training in August 2026 (dates to be confirmed) and an induction week before you start. Trust-specific training will also take place before the placement begins (dates to be confirmed).
“As a result of the HCSWD programme, I am now a qualified Healthcare Support Worker and currently pursuing my dream to qualify as a Nurse.” – Lynda Akpan, HCSW
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