Healthcare Support Workers

How to become a HCSW

Trac jobs will advertise HCSW roles as they become available.

To apply for a HCSW role you will need to hold:

GCSE’s, evidence of a good standard of education, or vocational qualification at level 2 (or be willing to work towards this qualification) for a band 2 position.
A level or evidence of a good standard of education, a vocational qualification at level 3, or equivalent, including literacy and numeracy skills and relevant experience for the role (or be willing to work towards this qualification) for a band 3 position.

You can also explore the other 350+ roles available in NHS Wales.

Induction

As a HCSW joining a clinical environment, you will automatically be enrolled onto the all-Wales accredited Clinical Healthcare Support Qualification Level 2. This includes a local induction. If you already hold this qualification, you will not have to repeat this although a local induction will still be required.

As a HCSW joining a community or social care setting, a joint induction is available which links to the All-Wales Induction Framework for Health and Social Care (AWIF).

To progress once you are employed

Once you're in the role, you could progress by completing one of the following qualifications:

Career pathways for HCSWs

There are also a number of career pathways for HCSW's via work based learning (WBL) opportunities. Such as:

WBL qualifications
Apprenticeships PDF
Our Get into nursing webpage or our pathways to nursing PDF

How the HCSW role has developed:

The career framework for healthcare support workers identifies the skills and career development for HCSWs in NHS Wales. It supports excellence in healthcare through the development of learning pathways, giving underpinning knowledge and skills to practice safely. It supports current and future developments by standardising the HCSW role to provide underpinning knowledge and skills which ensures safe practice.

It is supported by the NHS strategy for a flexible and sustainable workforce and a timeline of it's development is available in our nursing support workforce infographic.