Job Advert
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.
The role:
Healthcare provision is based around a model of care specifically aimed at delivering Addiction, Mental Health and Primary Care services.
The role of the Health Care Support Worker is to support professional healthcare staff to deliver care within the healthcare centre/establishment in line with the standards and policies of healthcare provision in the NHS and Scottish Prison Service.
The role involves assisting the registered nurses to ensure that the physical environment is safe, clean, comfortable and suitable for patient care. To contribute to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients by being an active and supporting member of the team.
This is a diverse role which involves the day to day delivery of a high standard of support to the nursing team to enable health care to be delivered to a population who have a comprehensive range of physical, psychological, substance misuse and social problems whilst maintaining a high level of awareness and compliance with security procedure within the prison setting.
Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:
- Location based in HMP Barlinnie
- Permanent Contract
- Full-time position (36 hours per week)
- The shift pattern for this post consists of long day, early shift, late shift, weekend working
Key responsibilities:
- Participate in the delivery of Addiction services and assist the Registered Nurse to and from clinic area with Controlled Drugs and relevant documentation
- To act as a Competent person in witnessing the legal dispensation of Controlled Drugs
- To perform basic administration functions within all aspects of Health Care including organising of case notes, filing and printing photographs etc
- Providing care to patients under the direction of a registered nurse
- Performing and reporting clinical observation checks and where necessary reporting changes on the condition of patients to the registered nurse or shift co-ordinator
- Maintain an accurate record of observations, interventions and patient contact within the healthcare records in accordance with NHS/ SPS policy and as directed by the Health care manager
- Provides care for patients within the boundaries of healthcare policies and guidelines
- Assist health care staff in purchasing, ordering patient medication, distribution, stock control of pharmaceuticals, dressings, sundries and appliances within the prison
- To participate in the control and distribution of medicines process
- To support clinical staff in nurse led clinics
- Follow a programme of work that has been developed by a registered nurse to ensure the safety of patients and staff is paramount
- Ensuring patient confidentiality is maintained at all times
- More responsibilities can be found in the attached job description
Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:
- Minimum of 2 standard grades including Maths and english
- SVQIII in healthcare or equivalent experience gained working in a caring environment/role
- Competent in the use of computerised information systems including MS Office
- Well developed communication skills both written and oral
- Ability to effectively meet the demands of a challenging workload
- An ability to work with people as part of a multidisciplinary team;
- The ability to prioritise assigned workload;
- On induction the postholder will be required to undergo the range of mandatory training, including:
- Basic life support; Moving and handling; Breakaway Training; Suicide Risk Management Training; Fire Awareness Training
What we offer:
We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.
As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:
- A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
- Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
- Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
- Enhanced pay for working public holidays
- NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
- Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion, please contact:
Nurse Team Lead, Laura Connelly, Laura.connelly5@nhs.scot, 0141 770 2103
Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates
This post may close early due to the volume of response. Please submit your application form as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.
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From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part-time working hours will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.
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