Senior Healthcare Assistant

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Plymouth is seeking a Band 3 Senior Healthcare Assistant to work in the Oncology and Chemotherapy unit. You will support nursing staff, manage your own workload, and supervise junior assistants. The ideal candidate will have experience in healthcare, relevant qualifications, and a caring approach. Full-time and part-time applications are welcome, with support for career development and flexible working options.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting.
• Ability to manage own workload effectively and prioritise tasks.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of patient information.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the delivery of care as planned and assessed by Registered Nurses.
• Manage own workload and supervise junior health care assistants.
• Undertake specific extended skills relevant to patient care.

Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Time Management

Caring Approach

Education

Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Maths

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support

Job description

Job Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a band 3 senior HCA to work between the Oncology Outpatient & Chemotherapy Day case unit. This is an opportunity to expand your clinical knowledge and skills within both units, you will be required to have your own workload each day as well as being part of the team. Once competent you will carry out various clinical skills on a daily basis and be given the chance to develop within this environment. Support and training will be provided to the right candidate.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job

To assist in the delivery of care planned and assessed by the Registered Nurses. To carry out care / other duties under indirect supervision. To manage own workload daily. To supervise junior health care assistants contributing to their training and development. To undertake specific extended skills.

About Us

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted
20 November 2025

Pay scheme
Agenda for change

Band
Band 3

Salary
£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per Annum, Pro Rata

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number
216-LD-M7572475

Job locations
Oncology OP/Chemotherapy Day Case, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Derriford
Plymouth
PL6 8DH

Job Responsibilities

• Provide & deliver a high standard of nursing care, recognising & meeting the specific needs of patients
• To have an awareness of the administration of chemotherapy and Immunotherapy, its side effects & adverse effects
• To be aware of the personal protective equipment to be used in the event of a chemotherapy spillage
• To be aware of the safe handling & disposal of cytotoxic waste
• Prioritise own tasks under the direction of a Registered Nurse
• Manage own workload
• Manage clinics
• Become competent in using CVAD
• Venepuncture
• ECGs when required
• Ordering of stock

Person Specification

Essential

Knowledge & Experience

• Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
• Demonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
• Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives

Qualifications

• Level 2 Functional skills in English and Math's, or equivalent
• NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or HCA UHP Level 3 or definitive evidence of working towards - 75% completed (or equivalent transferable qualification)
• Completion of Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)
• Undertake and complete the Care Certificate training programme offered in-house

Desirable

• Computer literate

Aptitude & Abilities

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address
Oncology OP/Chemotherapy Day Case, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Derriford
Plymouth
PL6 8DH

Employer's website
https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)