Tissue Viability Healthcare Assistant Secondment

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust; Slough; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a Band 3 Healthcare Assistant for a 12-month secondment with the Tissue Viability Team. The ideal candidate will deliver direct patient care, assist with complex wound management, and maintain accurate electronic records. Essential qualifications include a relevant L3 qualification in healthcare and excellent communication skills. This role offers an opportunity to work closely within a committed team while contributing to high standards of patient care and compliance with health regulations.

Benefits

First-class development opportunities

Flexibility in work hours

Commitment to work-life balance

Qualifications

• Evidence of general education such as GCSEs or equivalent Functional Skills Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy.
• Relevant Level 3 qualification or apprenticeship in Health care or equivalent in the area of specialty.
• Willingness to work towards the Senior Healthcare Support Worker level 3 apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
• Maintain patient privacy and dignity at all times.
• Document care provided accurately in electronic records.

Skills

Communication skills

Basic wound care

Teamwork

Patient confidentiality

Moderate IT skills

Education

Relevant L3 qualification in Health care

GCSEs or equivalent Functional Skills Level 2

Tools

Electronic patient record (Epic)

Job description

Job Overview

A vacancy has become available for a Secondment role as a Band 3 Healthcare Assistant to work alongside the Tissue Viability Team for a fixed term of 12 months.

You will need to have a particular interest in wounds and wound care, an ambition to deliver excellent care to your patients, having the ability to work closely and learn within a small team and be prepared to work autonomously when required.

The post requires you to be able to communicate well, to maintain clear documentation using the electronic record system (Epic) used within the Trust to carry out administrative duties including data sheets. Ensuring that the equipment and office spaces are maintained to a high standard.

If you want to be a Health Care Assistant at FHFT it is strongly recommended for you to attend one of our informal webinars. No need to register – just access the session via the links below for each date.

2nd December 2025 12.30 – 13.10 Join the meeting

10th December 2025 13.30 – 14.15 Join the meeting

Main duties of the job

• To help run an effective and safe Tissue Viability Service, assisting with pressure area care and management, and complex wound care, including Topical Negative Pressure (TNP).
• Deliver direct patient care within the management of wound care for which the post holder has been deemed competent, under the supervision of a registered nurse.
• Support ward-based HCA’s with pressure area care and management, and basic wound care.
• Help to check mattresses, making sure they are installed and working correctly, and assisting in the step‑down process.
• Participate and support in audits and evaluation of new products.
• Assist with training days as required with administration and data keeping.

Working for our organisation

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first‑class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.

Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work‑life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.

We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours. We do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.

Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Some Of The Main Requirements Of The Role Involve

• Maintain the patient’s privacy and dignity at all times, to ensure patient confidentiality and compliance with Data Protection Act at all times.
• To ensure there is full communication within the service, including taking of messages, dealing with them in a courteous and discreet way, gauging priority and responding appropriately with advice and enquiries.
• Taking responsibility for a case load of patients, to include basic wound and pressure injury assessment, initial treatment, delivering a plan of care and monitoring the progress of the patient. All supported with clear documentation in the patient electronic records, in a timely manner.
• Making decisions based on set parameters and protocols and within a competency‑based framework, liaising with the registered nurse.
• Check pressure‑relieving equipment is installed and working properly, alarms are being dealt with appropriately, and to liaise with the onsite technician when needed.
• Assist staff with mattress step‑down process to conventional foam mattress when appropriate. Monitor stock levels of all types of mattresses and liaise with porters and company for delivery of more stock, if needed.
• Assist the TVN team with complex wound care and dressing procedures as required, including Topical Negative Wound care Therapy.
• Monitor Topical Negative Wound care Therapy when in use, order consumables, complete data sheets, dispatch and retrieve TNP pumps, activate and cancel rental pumps and complete requisitions when required.
• Assist with the maintenance of equipment used within the service, by ensuring they have been serviced within the trust or outside agency if appropriate, and ensuring they are in safe working order.
• To liaise with other departments, hospitals and services, as necessary e.g. District Nurse or community Tissue Viability Teams.
• Aim to develop the skills to support ward‑based HCA’s, with basic wound care and pressure area care and management and assist with training as required, liaise with Tissue Viability Link Nurses and keep Link nurse list up to date.
• Routine office work to include order of stationery, keeping work environment and stock room tidy, to liaise with housekeeping staff regarding regular cleaning.
• To comply with the Trust uniform Policy and maintain a high level of personal hygiene.
• To cross cover both sites Heatherwood and Wexham when, or if, required to do so.

Please also note that it is a mandatory requirement, for those who do not have a Care Certificate, to complete a self‑assessment form that is attached to this vacancy. Failure to complete and return this document 48 hours prior to your interview will delay the recruitment process or prevent your offer from being issued.

Important Information For Applicants Requiring Visa Sponsorship

Recent changes to UK immigration rules may affect your eligibility for a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa. Sponsorship may not be possible if:

• The role does not meet the minimum salary threshold set by UKVI.
• The role is not included on the Immigration Salary List (ISL).
• The role is below RQF Level 6 (graduate level).

These restrictions may also apply if you are currently on a Graduate Visa and are seeking to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa.

Please check your eligibility under the latest UKVI requirements before applying. Applications from candidates who do not meet the criteria cannot be progressed.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Evidence of general education e.g. GCSE’s or equivalent Functional skills Level 2 Numeracy and Literacy.
• Relevant L3 qualification / apprenticeship in Health care or equivalent qualification in the area of speciality employed (e.g. Medical/Surgery area or Operating Dept. Practice for posts in Theatre).
• Willingness to work towards and complete the Senior Healthcare Support Worker level 3 apprenticeship.
• Care Certificate.

Desirable criteria

• Health and Social Care Level 3 or equivalent.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Previous experience of working as a healthcare assistant in a hospital or registered care setting.
• Experience of taking clinical observations.
• Customer care experience.

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of working within Tissue Viability area.
• Previous experience of supporting new starters, including inducting them to the clinical environment, supporting with competency and care certificate completion.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of care and related procedures to area.
• Understands the role and remit of Unregistered worker.
• Clear and accurate written and verbal communication. Able to communicate respectfully verbally and in writing.
• Moderate IT skills.
• Proven ability to work within a team as well as on own initiative.
• Able to listen effectively and demonstrate a sympathetic/sensitive approach, and be able to speak effectively to colleagues, staff and patients.
• Proven ability to understand and comply with detailed procedures.
• Demonstrate ability to manage priorities under pressure.
• Demonstrate ability to use own initiative and work without close supervision.
• Understanding of the requirements of patient confidentiality.
• Good hygiene skills (e.g. food handling, hand washing etc.).
• Knowledge of hospital systems.
• Punctual and reliable.
• Ability to follow a clear instruction and feed back to senior staff.
• Ability to prioritise care delivery in a professional manner, considering Trust policies and procedures.

Special Requirements

Essential criteria

• Manual handling of patients.

Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• We will expect your values and behaviours to mirror those of the Trust.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (FHFT) is proud of its strong reputation, record of achievement and ambition for the future. We serve a population of over 900,000 people across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and South Buckinghamshire, and remain committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Our new organisational strategy – FHFT 2030 – sets out our ambition to be the best place to receive care and the best place to work in the NHS. Underpinned by our Trust values – Committed to Excellence, Working Together, Facing the Future, and being a modern, compassionate, Healthcare Organisation – we are creating a culture where our people can thrive and patients always come first.

We continue to invest heavily in our services and facilities. This includes the development of a new hospital at Frimley Park, major expansion of diagnostics and inpatient capacity, and the continued transformation of services across our sites. We have already delivered a brand‑new £100m state‑of‑the‑art Heatherwood Hospital, a £49m Emergency Assessment Centre at Wexham Park, and a £10m upgrade to maternity services.

We are also committed to sustainability and the NHS Net Zero ambition. Our new hospital and estate developments are being designed to be environmentally responsible, energy efficient and future‑proofed, featuring on‑site renewables energy and intelligent energy systems. Through our green plan, we are embedding sustainable practices across all areas of care and operations, ensuring we reduce our environmental impact while improving population health and wellbeing. Our staff are key to helping us deliver on our ambition and to ensure sustainability is a core component of care delivery and our operations.

Alongside estates’ investments, we are embedding a strong focus on digital innovation and quality improvement. Our electronic patient record (Epic), launched in 2024, is already enabling safer, more connected, and more effective care for patients, while giving staff the tools they need to do their best work. Our electronic patient record also supports safe and effective digitised care pathways, savings time and carbon, whilst delivering excellent quality of care.

Everything we do is guided by our values, shaping how we care for patients, support colleagues, and build a sustainable future for healthcare together.

Apply online now