Apprentice Healthcare Support Worker - OPMNHS

Job summary

This role is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day. As a Health Care Support Worker onour Older People's Medicine ward, you become part of a team that provides compassionate, person-centredcare to some of the most vulnerable patients in our hospital. The role takes empathy, patience, reliability, anda genuine desire to support people through moments of illness, uncertainty, and recovery. It also takesteamwork, curiosity, and the willingness to learn new skills as you grow in confidence and responsibility.

Our ward is a busy, friendly, and highly supportive environment where no two days are the same. You willwork alongside experienced nurses, therapists, doctors, and fellow support workers who value collaborationand clear communication. The atmosphere is warm, inclusive, and focused on doing the right thing forpatients and their families. We take pride in creating a culture where everyone looks out for each other,celebrates small wins, and steps in to help when the pressure rises. You will never be left to manage alone;there is always someone ready to guide, teach, or lend a hand.

The work ethic on the ward is grounded in kindness, professionalism, and respect. We care for older adults with a wide range of medical needs, so your role is essential in maintaining dignity, comfort, and safety. You will support patients with personal care, mobility, nutrition, and emotional reassurance.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for promoting and implementing practice conducive to the development of high-quality patient care, by providing professional, clinical and managerial leadership. To take charge of the Ward/Department in the absence of the Ward/Departmental Sister/Charge Nurse and provide support and guidance to all staff.

To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate NNUH's 'PRIDE' values of People focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence and demonstrate behaviours that support and encourage an inclusive culture.

Job description

*This is a fixed term contract for 14 months* We as a Trust encourage and support your progression beyond your Apprenticeship and will be here to help!

We are very proud of our Apprentice success rates, with 92% of Apprentices successfully obtaining a substantive post within the Trust at the end of their Apprenticeship contract, and 98% of Apprentices having further plans in place following their Apprenticeship e.g. going on to further education, joining the NNUH staff bank or obtaining employment at another organisation.

Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria:

All applicants must be:

• Aged 16+
• Resident in the UK/EEA for the last three consecutive years
• Must not have a qualification in a similar subject at the same level or above
• Must not be in any form of formal government-funded education upon the start of their apprenticeship

Qualifications and Skills Required:

• Good general standard of education
• 4 GCSEs at Grade D/3 or above (or equivalent) subject to the job specification
• Good standard of literacy and numeracy
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Good IT skills

Full time: 37.5 hours per week

Please see the attached job description for full details.

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 6131 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Please note due to high volume of applications for some posts, this post may close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Flexible working hours
• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
• Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
• On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
• On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
• Support in career development
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics