Health Care Support Worker – Prison Health Care

About the role

The Health Care Support Worker will assist registered nurses in delivering high‑quality addiction, mental health and primary care services within HMP Barlinnie. Working in a secure prison environment, you will help create a safe, clean and comfortable setting for patients while supporting their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Key responsibilities

• Assist nurses with the safe handling and documentation of controlled drugs.
• Witness and record legal dispensation of controlled substances.
• Perform basic administrative tasks such as organising case notes, filing and printing photographs.
• Provide direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse, including clinical observations and reporting changes.
• Maintain accurate patient records in line with NHS and Scottish Prison Service policies.
• Support medication ordering, distribution, stock control and the overall medicines management process.
• Help with nurse‑led clinics and follow care programmes developed by registered nurses.

Required profile

• Ability to work safely and effectively in a prison environment.
• Commitment to high standards of hygiene, infection control and patient confidentiality.
• Willingness to work flexible shifts, including long days, early, late and weekends.
• Good communication skills to liaise with nursing staff and report patient observations.

Required skills

• Competence in handling controlled drugs and related documentation.
• Basic clinical observation techniques.
• Administrative skills for record‑keeping and stock management.

What we offer

• Permanent full‑time contract (36 hours per week).
• Shift patterns covering day, early, late and weekend work.
• Opportunity to work within the NHS and Scottish Prison Service, supporting a diverse patient population.