Senior Healthcare Assistant

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Worthing; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Worthing is seeking a motivated Senior Healthcare Assistant to deliver excellent patient care. The ideal candidate should have at least 2 years of NHS experience and a Care Certificate. Responsibilities include supporting qualified nurses, maintaining high standards of care, and assisting in patient observations. This role offers opportunities to work across various specialities. Importantly, this position is only open to current employees of the organization.

Benefits

Opportunities to expand knowledge and gain new skills

Supportive team environment

Diversity-focused workplace

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role (Band 3 HCA) within the NHS.
• Previous NHS or NHS primary care experience required or training in an acute hospital setting.

Responsibilities

• Work in a team with qualified nurses and support staff.
• Report incidents/accidents involving patients and staff.
• Support patients during clinic appointments and clinical procedures.

Skills

Ability to undertake and record patient observations

Good computer skills

Education

Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation

Level 3 diploma in health and social care

Job description

Job overview

THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES

We are looking for highly motivated Senior Healthcare Assistants to work in an Outpatient. You must be adaptable and flexible to ensure the best possible care is delivered in this evolving and busy working environment.

You will be expected to work at both Worthing and Southlands Hospitals.

You will need to be hard working, maintain high standards of care and show commitment to working as part of a supportive team. We offer excellent opportunities to expand your knowledge and gain new skills across a range of specialities including :

Trauma and orthopaedics, general surgery, gastroenterology, ENT, breast, gynaecology, dermatology, rheumatology, respiratory, cardiology, oncology, renal.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. Applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role (Band 3 HCA within the NHS) to meet the salary requirements (£25000) to qualify for sponsorship.

For this role it is essential that you have previous NHS or NHS primary care experience with a Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation. Or that you are an internationally educated nurse / midwife / doctor who has worked in an acute hospital setting within recent years with evidence of your degree verified by an ENIC report.

Please ensure to attach your Care Certificate and / or ENIC report to your application as this will be required for interview.

Main duties of the job

• To work in a team with qualified nurses, medical, allied healthcare professionals and other support staff.
• To report all incidents / accidents involving patients and staff to the qualified nurse and to assist in any enquiries.
• To understand role and participate in control of infection.
• To participate in quality assurance programmes as required
• Taking and recording patient observations
• Collecting and disposing of body waste. Testing urine and stool specimens and recording results and appropriately reporting any abnormalities to the nurse in charge.
• Under the supervision of a qualified nurse, support patients during clinic appointments and those undergoing clinical procedures, ensuring their comfort and safety

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For detailed job description and main responsibilities, please see Job Description and Person Specification.

Person specification

Experience / qualifications

Essential criteria

• Care Certificate from a Ofqual regulated awarding organisation.
• NHS experience or NHS primary care experience is required or an internationally educated nurse / midwife / doctor who has worked in an acute hospital setting within recent years.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills acquisition, working at a higher-level standard of care delivery, equivalent to vocational qualification level 3. This is evidenced via a portfolio of practice and / or a professional discussion

Desirable criteria

• Level 3 diploma in health and social care
• Level 2 diploma in health and social care
• Maths GCSE or Level 2 Functional Skills
• English GCSE or Level 2 Functional Skills

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to undertake and record patient observations

People Management and Development

Essential criteria

• Ability to demonstrate skills and processes to new / junior members of staff

Specific requirements

Essential criteria

• Able to work independently and also as part of a team effectively
• Good computer skills. Able to send and receive emails, document activities electronically.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of University Hospitals Sussex trust IT systems

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Essential criteria

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

Important information for applicants

A Note on AI Use in Applications

We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early

In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working : If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting / line manager.

DBS Checks : As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa : Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications