Senior HCA

NHS; Brighton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Brighton is seeking a Senior Health Care Assistant to support ophthalmic patients under nurses' supervision. The role involves patient care, clinical observations, and assisting in A&E. Ideal candidates should have an NVQ in Care and experience in a healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a health care hospital setting.
• Competent to carry out clinical tasks after training.
• Ability to learn new skills quickly.

Responsibilities

• Assist the ophthalmic team with patient care.
• Check vital signs and record Visual Acuity.
• Support the nursing staff with A&E operations.

Skills

Clinical tasks competence

Infection control knowledge

Basic nursing terminology

Education

NVQ in Care Level 2/3

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Senior HCA

The closing date is 10 July 2025

To work as an Ophthalmic Health Care Assistant under the direction of Staff Nurses and Sister, with the skillsrequired for A&E.

To work within a multi-disciplinary team giving specialist Ophthalmic care to ophthalmic patients.

Main duties of the job

Duties and Responsibilities

To assist the ophthalmic team with the running of the ophthalmic ward in out of hours, including accurately recording Visual Acuities and assist the nursing and medical teams with patient care.

To assist the medical and nursing staff with the running of A&E and out of hours in the Pickford ward as required.

To be competent in Visual acuity testing, to undertake instillation of eye drops and handheld Tonometry (I care), to record patients' blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, blood glucose testing, venepuncture and urinalysis.

To answer the telephone to GPs, opticians and patients, communicating with and informing members of the medical and nursing teams as appropriate.

The post-holder will be accountable primarily to the Department Sister and in his/her absence the senior staff nurse on duty.

To act as a role model and teach and supervise more junior members of the team.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job responsibilities

To work as an Ophthalmic Health Care Assistant under the direction of Staff Nurses and Sister, with the skills required for A&E.

To set up clinics, carry out and record Visual Acuity, checking vital signs for A&E patients, basic nursing care to patients.

A&E opens 24 hr per day 7 days per week. Monday to Friday 8-6 in Lower ground floor, outof hours open in Pickford ward.

To work within a multi-disciplinary team giving specialist Ophthalmic care to ophthalmic patients

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Person Specification

Experience/ Qualifications

• Experience of working in a Health Care hospital setting
• Basic knowledge of medical / nursing terminology
• Competent to carry out clinical tasks / observations after training and supervision
• Ability to learn new skills quickly
• Recognition of abnormal readings when carrying out delegated responsibilities
• Willingness to take training
• Good infection control. Knowledge of main clinical infections
• NVQ in Care Level 2 /3
• Knowledge of health and safety issues. Knowledge of Trust policies and procedures
• Venepuncture/cannulation

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

£24,625 to £25,674 a yearper annum pro rata