Healthcare Assistant - AMU

VerseOne Group; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

NHS Pension

Flexible working options

Support for training and development

Health service discounts

Job summary

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking Band 3 Health Care Assistants to join the Acute Medical Unit. The role supports nursing and medical staff to deliver high-quality care in a fast-paced setting, with emphasis on patient flow and safety.

You will gain access to extensive learning and development opportunities, including extended clinical skills such as venepuncture and cannulation under supervision.

Qualifications

• Previous HSCW experience.
• Experience in Acute Medicine.
• Care Certificate or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, compassionate care in a busy AMU environment.
• Support patient flow and safety as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Perform venepuncture and cannulation with appropriate training.
• Provide reassurance to patients and families and escalate concerns as needed.
• Adhere to data protection and NEWS2 protocols.

Skills

HSCW experience

Acute medicine experience

Venepuncture

Cannulation

Communication skills

Education

Care Certificate or equivalent

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is one of the biggest trusts in the country, following the merger of Mid Essex, Basildon and Southend hospitals in April 2020.

Main area Acute Medical Unit & Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week Job ref 390-DOM-BR-9813

Site Broomfield Town Chelmsford Salary £25,760 - £27,476 Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time) Salary period Yearly Closing 15/10/2026 23:59

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the onlyacute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

We are currently seeking enthusiastic and motivated Band 3 Health Care Assistants to join our dynamic team within the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a vital role in delivering high standards of care in a fast-paced, ever-evolving clinical environment.

As a key member of the multidisciplinary team, you will work closely with nursing and medical staff to support patient care and contribute to efficient patient flow. The AMU is a high-turnover area, offering variety, challenge, and excellent learning experiences—no two days are the same.

From day one, you will have access to a wide range of learning, development, and training opportunities designed to support your professional growth. As you progress in your role, you will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care to our patients.

This role also offers the chance to learn and develop extended clinical skills, including venepuncture and cannulation, under appropriate supervision and training.

At Mid and South Essex, we are proud of our inclusive and supportive culture, where all staff are valued and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants who reflect our core values and who are committed to helping us further develop a diverse and talented workforce.

Main duties of the job

As a Band 3 Health Care Assistant in the Acute Medical Unit, you’ll play a key role in delivering high-quality, compassionate care in a busy and fast-paced environment. Working as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, you’ll help maintain patient flow and safety while developing valuable clinical skills.

Your day-to-day duties will be varied and rewarding. You’ll carry out clinical observations (including ECGs and urine testing), assist with patient transfers, and, with appropriate training, perform extended skills such as venepuncture and cannulation. You’ll also provide reassurance to patients and families and provide escalation of concerns about patient wellbeing.

We’re looking for someone who is kind, reliable, and eager to learn. You’ll need to be a good communicator, able to follow instructions, work well in a team, and use your initiative when needed.

This is an exciting opportunity to grow within a clinically rich environment, supported by colleagues who value development, teamwork, and putting patients first. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to welcome you to our team.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

What we Offer:

• Range of opportunities for flexible working
• Strong team ethos
• NHS salary structure and pension
• 27 days holiday plus days off for bank holidays worked
• Enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
• Maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Wide range of LGBTI+ initiatives
• Health service discounts and online benefits
• Health and wellbeing support
• Discounts on public transport
• Disability Confident Reasonable adjustment

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) brings together key health, care, community, and voluntary sector organisations from across our area. Our aim is to work together in partnership to join up health and care services, improving our populations health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. One such example of this collaborative work is the launch of our HCA Academy, an IC initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) to support the incoming Health Care assistant (HCA) workforce. The academy models a ‘one workforce’ cross system approach to the onboarding, induction, education and experience of Healthcare Assistants.

Successful candidates to this role will be able to access the additional support provided by the HCA Academy following their induction with MSEFT. This includes development opportunities, pastoral support, staff rewards and access to HCA exclusive resources such as HCA App.

Experience

• Previous HSCW experience
• Previous experience in Acute Medicine
• Care Certificate or equivalent

Skills

• Previous experience working in a busy clinical area
• Experience in Venepuncture and Cannulation

Knowledge

• Aware of data protection
• Knowledge of NEWS2 scoring and correct observations
• Knowledge of electronic systems within the trust

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn’t accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Nkemjika Thecla Nwaokorie Job title Senior Sister Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 03004438805 Additional information

For further information or informal visits please email [e-mail]