Main area: Across all specialties

Grade: Band 2

Contract: Apprenticeship: 18 months (Training Contract)

Hours: Full-time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref: 271-NWD-HCSW0526-7794356

Site: Great Ormond Street Hospital

Town: London

Salary: £30,074 per annum inclusive

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 18/02/2026 23:59

Interview date: 11/03/2026

Job overview

We are looking to recruit Band 2 Healthcare Support Workers (HCSW) into many of our specialist areas across GOSH. You will be joining a multi-professional team committed to delivering high-quality and compassionate care to our patients and families.

You must have:

Previous experience in working with the public and within a team
GCSE level 4-9 in English and Mathematics or Functional Skills Level 2 equivalent is essential - (these must be clearly stated in your application form, and certificates must be provided prior to interview).
Able to demonstrate you are caring, compassionate, and possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Please note:

This is an entry-level healthcare role and, as such, is not suitable for candidates who possess prior healthcare experience in an acute setting, either with or without a Care Certificate.

Should your experience include proficiency in any clinical skills (e.g., venepuncture, cannulation, recording vital signs, ECGs, wound dressings, catheter care, blood glucose monitoring, moving & handling, or personal care), this will likely render you not eligible (over-experienced) for this particular entry-level apprenticeship.

If you already possess a Care Certificate (in employment, not online), then you are welcome to apply for any of our current Band 3 Healthcare Assistant vacancies, which can be found via this link: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/working-here/working-us/current-jobs/

Main duties of the job

The Process:

Please read the Job Description carefully and all the supporting information.

We are offering a virtual information session where you can find out more about the role and the apprenticeship on the following dates/times:

Thursday 12th February 2026 @ 13:00 - 14:00pm
Tuesday 17th February @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Please email nursing.jobs@gosh.nhs.uk to register your place and to be sent the online joining link!

If you are successfully shortlisted for this opportunity, you will be contacted by our apprenticeship training provider, Dynamic Training, to vet your eligibility. If you are eligible, you will be invited to attend GOSH for an interview day on Wednesday 11th March 2026.

Start Date:

To be confirmed at interview – estimated May or June 2026.

This vacancy will close earlier than the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received.

Working for our organisation

We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we’ll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.

Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff is encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage), ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE, and Women’s networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.

We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants who share our commitment to inclusion and who understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential criteria

GCSE Grade 4 - 9 or Functional Skills Level 2 pass in English and Mathematics or equivalent recognised qualification

Desirable criteria

Certificate in Basic Food Hygiene
Experience/Knowledge

Qualities

Essential criteria

Has the ability to recognise situations that require reporting and demonstrates the ability to escalate to a senior person where appropriate
Previous experience of dealing with the public
Working within a team

Desirable criteria

Knowledge and understanding of the needs of the patient and their families. Including: • Nutrition and hydration • Dignity and respect • Infection control • Safeguarding vulnerable people • Health promotion • Confidentiality
Knowledge and understanding of the health service
Knowledge and experience of giving care in a multi-cultural environment

Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria
Able to communicate accurately and effectively with patients, families, and colleagues, verbally and in writing
To have good IT skills
Able to meet timekeeping and attendance requirements
Able to follow instructions and complete assigned tasks
Able to carry out administrative and clerical duties appropriate to their work area
Demonstrate a caring and compassionate approach to patients, families, and colleagues
Work in a professional manner and in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers
Ability to deal with the non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact, and prioritise effectively
Desirable criteria
Able to provide essential care to patients as directed
Able to organise and conduct own work
Culture and Values
Essential criteria
Our Always values
Experience working as part of a diverse team.
Experience of contributing to an inclusive workplace culture.

Please be advised that:

The recruitment process for all admin and clerical roles at Bands 2-4 will be a two-stage process, with shortlisted candidates undertaking an online literacy, numeracy, ICT, and typing test. Only those candidates who pass the competency test will proceed to a formal interview.

The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification criteria for this post will be shortlisted. Please note that where high volumes of applicants have been received, additional criteria may, on occasion, be used to determine the final shortlist.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

We are an accredited Living Wage Employer.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020, and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children jobs

Health Care Support Worker Apprenticeship