Health Care Support Workers (HCSW)
Healthcare support workers (HCSWs) play a crucial role in providing high quality and compassionate care to patients. They work as part of wider teams, working under the supervision of registered healthcare professionals. HCSWs work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, GP practices, mental health units or in the community. supporting them and helping patients on their health journey, whether this is helping them to manage a long term condition, or supporting them through their recovery to full health.
support workers (HCSWs) play a crucial role in providing high quality and compassionate care to patients. They work as part of wider teams, working under the supervision of registered healthcare professionals. HCSWs work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, GP practices, mental health units or in the community. supporting them and helping patients on their health journey, whether this is helping them to manage a long term condition, or supporting them through their recovery to full health.
What are the entry requirements?
There are no set entry requirements to become a HCSW, but good literacy and numeracy skills are expected, and in some cases GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and maths are required too.
For some roles, some experience of healthcare or care work may be beneficial (but not essential) – this could be from paid or voluntary work, or through experience you bring in from previous roles, including the vaccination programme.
Your personal skills will be vital to this role. You’ll need to be proactive, compassionate and willing to really get stuck into the role – it’s a hands-on environment where teamwork, communication, organisational and problem solving skills are vital.
Training
As a healthcare support worker, 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 and may have the opportunity to do an apprenticeship. 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.
More information about Healthcare Support Workers is available on the Royal College of Nursing and HealthCareers websites.
Invitation to complete the Care Certificate with Cambridge Community Services:
For more information on courses in June/July 2022 and details of how to apply, click here
Learn more about the care certificate and care opportunities at Norfolk Care Academy Norfolk care academy
NNUH – HCA and TNA Presentation
Click here to view the Presentation by the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Support Worker Career Pathway Guide
Click here to view the Support Worker Career Pathway Guide
Which roles are there in Health and Care?
Social Care Roles
- Activities worker/ coordinator
- Care worker
- Community Transport Driver
- Learning Mentor
- Personal Assistant
- Rehabilitation Worker
- Social Work Assistant
To find out more about what it is like to work in Social Care and where to find opportunities, visit
Jobs and work experience and Working in social care
For information about unregistered roles in Social Care and entry requirements, visit:
Entry requirements
Non-Clinical roles
- Administration and Business Support
- Support Services (eg Equipment, Health & Safety)
- Domestic Services (eg Catering & Hospitality)
- Estates Services (eg Facilities)
- Corporate Services (eg HR, Finance, IT)
For more information about non-clinical roles in the healthcare sector and entry requirements, visit:
Entry requirements
Healthcare (Clinical) Support Roles
- Ambulance Care Assistant/ Patient Transport Service Driver
- Call Handler/ Emergency Medical Dispatcher
- Cardiographer
- Creative Therapy Support Roles
- Dental Support Worker
- Dietetic Assistant
- Donor Carer
- Emergency Care Assistant
- Healthcare Assistant/ Healthcare Support Worker
- Maternity Support Worker
- Newborn Hearing Screener
- Occupational Therapy Support Worker
- Orthopaedic Technician
- Orthotic Technician
- Patient Transport Service Call Handler
- Pharmacy Assistant
- Phlebotomist
- Podiatry Assistant
- Physiotherapy Assistant
- Prosthetic Technician
- Radiography Assistant
- Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
- Support, Time and Recovery Worker
- Theatre Support Worker
For an overview of the UK healthcare sector, visit:
UK Healthcare sector overview
For more information about the wide range of clinical support roles available and their entry requirements, visit:
Working social care
Healthcare Support Workers / Healthcare Assistants
Resources to give you an overview of the role of a HCSW/HCA
Healthcare Support Worker overview
Careers resource for Nursing Support Workers
