Healthcare Support Worker - Palliative Care | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Health Care Assistant to join the specialist palliative care team working both within the community under hospice at home and the inpatient ward at the Macmillan Unit and Forest Holme. We provide palliative and End of Life Care to patients with life limiting disease. The successful candidate would need to be compassionate and demonstrate a keen interest in Palliative care. They would also demonstrate the ability to provide a high standard of quality care to our patients. The candidate needs to have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work flexible hours.Previous NHS experience of working in palliative care environment is essential.

You will need to drive and have access to a car for this role.

The role covers shift work 7 days a week 24 hours a day.

New starters to the trust will have to undertake a numeracy and literacy test.

This post is being advertised as a Band 3, however applicants that do not meet the required care certificate competencies will initially be employed as a Band 2. Applicants who hold a care certificate accreditation will start in post at Band 3

Base Location

Christchurch Hospital / Forest Holme

Interview Date

19th or 20th October 2026

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position.

This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly.

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued team mates and colleagues.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

This advert closes on Monday 12 Oct 2026