Healthcare Assistant - Day Stay & Elective Admissions Lounge

Southend University Hospital NHS Trust; Basildon; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Southend University Hospital NHS Trust invites applications for a Healthcare Assistant (Band 3) in the Day Surgery Unit at Basildon Hospital on a 12-month maternity cover.

You will support patients through admission, preparation, and discharge, assist with procedures, observe clinical notes, and maintain dignity and safety under the supervision of a Registered Nurse in a fast-paced surgical setting.

Qualifications

• Are you a caring, motivated Healthcare Assistant with excellent communication skills.
• Role requires strong clinical competencies.
• Ability to work confidently within established protocols while delivering patient-centred care.

Responsibilities

• Support patients from admission and preparation through to discharge.
• Assist with pre-procedure checks and readiness for treatment.
• Observe and report clinical observations and escalate concerns.
• Help with personal care, mobility and dignity.
• Transport patients to theatre and other clinical areas.

Job description

Healthcare Assistant - Day Stay & Elective Admissions Lounge

Company:

Company: Southend University Hospital NHS Trust

A Vacancy at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

Healthcare Assistant (Band 3) – Day Surgery Unit (12-Month Maternity Cover)

Are you a caring, motivated Healthcare Assistant looking for an exciting opportunity in a fast-paced surgical environment? We have a fantastic 12-month maternity cover position within our Day Surgery Unit at Basildon Hospital.

As a Band 3 Healthcare Assistant, you will play a vital role in delivering high-quality, compassionate care to patients undergoing planned day-case and inpatient procedures. Working alongside our experienced nursing team, you will support patients throughout their journey—from admission and preparation for surgery through to recovery and discharge—ensuring every patient receives safe, dignified and person-centred care.

This rewarding role requires excellent communication skills, strong clinical competencies, and the ability to work confidently within established protocols while contributing to a positive patient experience.

Our busy service cares for both adult and paediatric surgical patients. The Day Stay Unit operates Monday to Friday, 7:00am–10:00pm, while the Elective Admission Lounge runs from 7:00am–3:30pm, supporting an average of 35 patients each day.

Join our friendly and dedicated team and help deliver outstanding care to patients across Mid and South Essex.

Provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients attending day case procedures and the Elective Admissions Lounge, ensuring a positive patient experience throughout their pathway.

Support patient admissions, preparation and discharge under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse.

Undertake, record and promptly report clinical observations, escalating any concerns in line with Trust policies and procedures.

Assist patients with personal care needs, mobility and comfort, maintaining dignity, privacy and respect at all times.

Prepare patients for procedures, including assisting with gown changes, completing pre-procedure checks and ensuring readiness for treatment.

Accompany and transport patients safely to and from theatre and other clinical areas as required.

Assist with stock control, equipment checks and maintaining adequate levels of supplies to support the smooth running of the service.

Collect and transport specimens to pathology when required and undertake housekeeper duties in their absence to maintain a safe, clean and organised environment.

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being 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.

For more information on this varied and rewarding role, please see the attached Job Description.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a high number of applications be received.

Unfortunately, there is no Visa Sponsorship available for this role. Whilst we are able to employ candidates on a graduate Visa, we are unable to offer sponsorship once the graduate visa expires.

This advert closes on Wednesday 21 Oct 2026