Critical Care Health Care Assistant

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust; Southampton; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS teaching hospital is seeking a compassionate Critical Care Health Care Assistant to provide essential support to critically ill patients and their families. Responsibilities include assisting with personal care, ensuring infection control, and supporting a multidisciplinary team in a challenging yet rewarding environment. Candidates should possess strong communication skills, a flexible attitude, and willingness to learn. The role offers thorough induction and ongoing training opportunities, alongside a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Ability to move and handle patients and equipment.
• Evidence of empathy, patience and dependability.
• Ability to cope with fluctuating demands and pressures.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with personal care and daily living needs.
• Provide emotional support and reassurance to patients and their families.
• Support infection prevention and control procedures.
• Care for patients requiring intensive monitoring and life support.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Collaborative attitude

Flexible approach

Willingness to learn

Innovative mindset

Education

Completed secondary education

Completed Care Certificate

Job description

Critical Care Health Care Assistant

The closing date is 23 January 2026

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a compassionate, caring and great communicator to join our Critical Care Department, which includes:

• General Intensive Care
• Surgical High Dependency
• Neuro Intensive Care
• Cardiac Intensive Care

This is a vital role, supporting critically ill patients and their families. You'll work closely with nurses, doctors and allied health professionals to deliver the highest standards of care in a fast‑paced, emotionally challenging environment.

You'll begin with a full‑time, one‑week induction programme, including completing your Care Certificate, and we offer ongoing training and development.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England’s largest acute teaching Trusts. Located on the south coast, we offer a diverse and inclusive working environment.

Job responsibilities

What you will do

• Assist patients with personal care and daily living needs.
• Provide emotional support and reassurance to patients and their families.
• Support infection prevention and control procedures.
• Help maintain a clean, safe and well‑equipped clinical environment.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver high‑quality patient care.
• Care for patients requiring intensive monitoring and life support following major surgery, trauma, or serious medical conditions.

This role is rewarding and essential to patient recovery.

What we’re looking for

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative attitude and commitment to delivering high‑quality care.
• A flexible approach to meet the needs of a 24/7 service.
• A willingness to learn and grow in a critical care setting.
• An innovative and academically inclined mindset.

Person specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• Completed Care Certificate or ability to complete within 6 months of appointment.
• Completed secondary education.
• Ability to move and handle patients and equipment.
• Evidence of empathy, patience and dependability.
• Ability to deal with a range of difficult situations.
• Take instruction/directions and work within the confines of the role.
• Ability to cope with fluctuating demands and pressures.
• Awareness of and adherence to Care Certificate standards (https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/care-certificate).
• Capable of completing core HCSW competencies related to area of work within 12 months of appointment.
• Previous experience in an acute hospital setting, HCA experience, volunteer sector, teaching assistant, nursing home carer, or caring role.
• Understanding of acute hospital environment and role of HCA.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions.

Salary: £24,465 per annum (or pro‑rata).