Health Care Assistant - Apprenticeship

The Methodist Church in Britain; West Alvington; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Study release

Onsite tutor

Diploma qualification

Career progression

Job summary

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is offering a 24-month Level 3 Health Care Assistant apprenticeship starting January 2027. Apprentices will carry out delegated clinical care, take observations, and support patient well‑being under supervision, with onsite tutor support and study release.

The programme runs around 30 hours per week across day/evening shifts, including weekends and bank holidays. Applicants should have maths and English at least level 2; no visa sponsorship is available.

Qualifications

• Education in maths and English or demonstrable equivalent experience

Responsibilities

• Carry out delegated clinical duties with minimal supervision
• Take observations: blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, pulse, respiration, glucose
• Collect/test urine, faecal and sputum samples and wound swabs
• Participate in patient assessment and escalate concerns
• Obtain consent before giving care per Trust policy
• Provide care under infection prevention and safety rules
• Maintain environment and equipment, address faults and order supplies
• Support patients to self-care and independence
• Input information into electronic patient records and notes with confidentiality
• Keep records and communicate with patients, relatives and the MDT
• Undertake non-routine duties within own area of responsibility

Skills

Healthcare enthusiasm

Healthcare awareness

Patient care commitment

Education

Maths and English education or equivalent

Job description

This 24-month Level 3 Health Care Assistant apprenticeship at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust starts with a January 2027 cohort. Apprentices carry out delegated clinical care, including observations, patient assessment, escalation of concerns and record keeping. Training with a local provider includes onsite tutor support and study release, and the rota covers days, nights, weekends and bank holidays for at least 30 hours a week. Applicants with a qualification above Level 3 are excluded unless they can show new skills, and no visa sponsorship is available.

What the job involves

• Carry out delegated clinical duties in line with patient care plans, with minimal supervision
• Take observations including blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, pulse, respiration and glucose
• Collect and test urine, faecal and sputum samples and wound swabs
• Take part in patient assessment and elevate concerns to other clinical staff
• Obtain consent before giving care in line with Trust policy
• Provide clinical care under infection prevention and health and safety policies
• Maintain the work environment and equipment, taking action on faults and ordering supplies
• Support patients to self-care and independence
• Promote health education specific to the clinical area
• Keep effective records and communicate with patients, relatives and the multidisciplinary team
• Input information into the electronic patient record and written notes, following confidentiality rules
• Undertake non-routine duties and take decisions within own area of responsibility

Qualifications

• Education in maths and English, or equivalent demonstrable experience

Skills & knowledge

• Enthusiasm and commitment to working in a healthcare setting
• Awareness of healthcare work, policies and procedures
• Commitment to providing high quality patient care

Other

• No qualification above Level 3 unless new skills can be demonstrated
• Able to work a minimum of 30 hours a week on the rota

What’s offered

• Release for study sessions
• Supported time to explore other areas of the organisation
• Onsite tutor support
• Nationally recognised Level 3 Diploma
• Progression to a Band 3 Senior HCSW role with a salary increase
• Option to progress to degree-level apprenticeship training
• Invitation to request less than full time or flexible working