Job Summary
Are you passionate about patient care and looking to start or develop your career in healthcare?
We are recruiting Clinical Support Workers at Bands 2 & 3, offering fantastic opportunities for progression into nursing, allied health professions, or specialist areas such as theatres.
We are currently recruiting for Healthcare Support Workers, Therapy Assistants and Theatre Support Workers across Ipswich Hospital. We welcome applications from individuals with or without prior healthcare experience who are eager to build a career in the NHS.
Recruitment Scheme
Our recruitment approach focuses on supporting your professional growth through Apprenticeship programmes that develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to deliver high-quality patient care.
Our Assessment Day is designed to establish your skills and experience and to signpost you to the right pathway. If successful you will be offered one of the following pathways:
* Recruitment to Band 3 for those with relevant previous NHS experience and/or qualifications, and the opportunity to complete a Level 3 apprenticeship.
* Recruitment to Band 2 to upskill you into clinical care, and the opportunity to complete either a Level 3 apprenticeship or join our Level 2 Academy.
* Recruitment to a Band 2 in our Academy for those new to care or with little prior experience (see attached Apprentice Flyer).
Main Duties
Applicants must be able to meet & provide the following:
* Attend an Assessment Day at Ipswich Hospital on Friday, 17th April 2026.
* Academy starters will need to commit to a start date in line with the Apprenticeship Academy Programme.
* Have residency status that allows you to work. (We are unable to offer sponsorship.)
* Meet pre‐employment requirements including the ability to provide references for the last three years, a satisfactory DBS check and Occupational Health assessment.
* As you will be working shifts including nights you must be 18 or older at commencement.
About Us
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across East Suffolk and North Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and patients' own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff and offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, flexible working options and a generous pension scheme.
We offer unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro‐rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that time matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving what we do and removing delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic, bringing a world‐class EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
Job Details
Date posted: 12 March 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 2
Salary: £24,465 to £26,598 a year pro‐rate, plus unsocial hours payments
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‐time, Part‐time
Reference number: 432-HR1398-25
Job locations: Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, IP4 5PD
Job Responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
* Previous experience in a healthcare setting.
Desirable Experience
* Experience within an acute care setting.
Essential Knowledge
* Awareness of physical, psychological and spiritual needs of patients' relatives and carers.
* Awareness of the nature of the carers' role in assisting patients to fulfil basic human needs.
* Knowledge of clinical procedures and observations.
* Knowledge of relevant legislation.
Desirable Knowledge
* Understanding of risk management, health and safety issues, including safe manual handling.
Essential Qualifications
* Care certificate achieved or demonstrable relevant skills.
* Evidence of completed competencies as part of a professional portfolio.
Desirable Qualifications
* Evidence of functional skills or willingness to undertake them.
* Willingness to undertake further study.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer Details
Employer name: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, IP4 5PD
Employer's website: https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/
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