University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 29 January 2026

Job summary

Do you have a background in care and are looking for a new, exciting opportunity? Do you want an opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills and build a rewarding career at one of the largest and most innovative trusts in the NHS?

If you have a Level 3 qualification Healthcare Qualification or Care Certificate with 6 months NHS experience you will qualify for our Band 3 Senior Healthcare Assistant role. If not, we will support this training, however during this time you will be paid a Band 2.

The Senior HCA also delivers higher level fundamental clinical care to patients. Support and supervision is provided by a Registered Nurse or Registered Nursing Associate. The Senior HCA has a responsibility to support, supervise and assess new staff and delegate basic tasks to the HCA team. The Senior HCA assists Nursing staff in ensuring the effective running of the ward/department.

Main duties of the job

Why join us at UHSussex?

Be part of a team- Our hard-working, talented and dedicated team of over 20,000 staff work together towards a common goal 'where better never stops' and you will play a vital part in driving us forwards and improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

Work flexibly- We can offer you full time (37.5 hrs a week) or part time (23 hours minimum) roles to suit your lifestyle.

Career opportunities- Explore the pathways UHSussex offers you for career progression within the trust

This is your opportunity to step into an exciting and meaningful role and transform lives--yours included. Apply today and let your career flourish with University Hospitals Sussex.

About us

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 abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.Candidate Pack

To be placed at the top of band 3, 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.

Details

Date posted

15 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year per annum (band dependant on experience & care certificate)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7673797-JAN26

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To assist patients to carry out personal care including meeting hygiene and continence needs whilst encouraging independence, as appropriate
  • To assist with patient nutritional needs eating, drinking, menu selection, meal delivery and special diets according to the individual patients needs
  • To assist patients to mobilise where appropriate.
  • Undertakes a limited range of delegated clinical care duties relevant to the services provided/work area; record patient observations, e.g. taking blood pressure, blood glucose monitoring, pregnancy testing, routine maternal and neonatal observations, observing patients for signs of agitation or distress, wound observations and simple wound dressings, removal of peripheral cannula, urinalysis, removal of catheter
  • After appropriate training, to assist in the collection of specimens and record results
  • After appropriate training and in discussion with the line manager, there is an expectation the role will undertake extended scope of practice skills to meet service need, for example, venepuncture, ECGs
  • Under the supervision of the qualified nurse, support patients undergoing clinical procedures ensuring their comfort and safety
  • To assist in the maintenance of up to date, comprehensive and accurate records in accordance with current legal requirements

For further information, please see the Job Description and Person Specification.

Please do not apply for this advert if you require Bank only.

Hours: Minimum 23 hours per week (part-time) or full-time options available.

Please be aware this advert may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Please note this role is not eligible for sponsorship as a Band 2. For a Band 3, 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To assist patients to carry out personal care including meeting hygiene and continence needs whilst encouraging independence, as appropriate
  • To assist with patient nutritional needs eating, drinking, menu selection, meal delivery and special diets according to the individual patients needs
  • To assist patients to mobilise where appropriate.
  • Undertakes a limited range of delegated clinical care duties relevant to the services provided/work area; record patient observations, e.g. taking blood pressure, blood glucose monitoring, pregnancy testing, routine maternal and neonatal observations, observing patients for signs of agitation or distress, wound observations and simple wound dressings, removal of peripheral cannula, urinalysis, removal of catheter
  • After appropriate training, to assist in the collection of specimens and record results
  • After appropriate training and in discussion with the line manager, there is an expectation the role will undertake extended scope of practice skills to meet service need, for example, venepuncture, ECGs
  • Under the supervision of the qualified nurse, support patients undergoing clinical procedures ensuring their comfort and safety
  • To assist in the maintenance of up to date, comprehensive and accurate records in accordance with current legal requirements

For further information, please see the Job Description and Person Specification.

Please do not apply for this advert if you require Bank only.

Hours: Minimum 23 hours per week (part-time) or full-time options available.

Please be aware this advert may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Please note this role is not eligible for sponsorship as a Band 2. For a Band 3, 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Care Certificate
  • Evidence of working within a health and social care setting
  • 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

  • Level 2 apprenticeship standard in Clinical Healthcare Support, Health & Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification
  • Level 3 apprenticeship standard in Clinical Healthcare Support or relevant equivalent qualification Maths GCSE ( grade C or above or grade 4 to 9) or Maths Level 2 functional skills
  • English GCSE (grade C or above or grade 4 to 9) or English Level 2 Functional skills
  • Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or Health and Social Care or relevant equivalent

Specific Requirements

Essential

  • Good written and spoken English - able to communicate clearly and succinctly to patients and colleagues Legible handwriting and able to maintain accurate documentation
  • Able to work effectively as part of a team
  • Able to empathise and communicate with sensitivity
  • Able to make basic judgements, assessments and evaluations involving a range of facts or situations, some requiring analysis; resolving day-to-day issues
  • Computer / keyboard skills, sufficient to send/receive emails, document activities electronically, eg. in Electronic Patient Record

Freedom to Act

Essential

  • Able to make basic judgements, assessments and evaluations involving patient care, some requiring analysis; resolving day-to-day issues and escalating to senior colleagues if required
  • Ability to plan and organise their own work activities
  • Acts on own initiative when delivering patient care, with accessible support and supervision

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

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

Qualifications

Essential

  • Care Certificate
  • Evidence of working within a health and social care setting
  • 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

  • Level 2 apprenticeship standard in Clinical Healthcare Support, Health & Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification
  • Level 3 apprenticeship standard in Clinical Healthcare Support or relevant equivalent qualification Maths GCSE ( grade C or above or grade 4 to 9) or Maths Level 2 functional skills
  • English GCSE (grade C or above or grade 4 to 9) or English Level 2 Functional skills
  • Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or Health and Social Care or relevant equivalent

Specific Requirements

Essential

  • Good written and spoken English - able to communicate clearly and succinctly to patients and colleagues Legible handwriting and able to maintain accurate documentation
  • Able to work effectively as part of a team
  • Able to empathise and communicate with sensitivity
  • Able to make basic judgements, assessments and evaluations involving a range of facts or situations, some requiring analysis; resolving day-to-day issues
  • Computer / keyboard skills, sufficient to send/receive emails, document activities electronically, eg. in Electronic Patient Record

Freedom to Act

Essential

  • Able to make basic judgements, assessments and evaluations involving patient care, some requiring analysis; resolving day-to-day issues and escalating to senior colleagues if required
  • Ability to plan and organise their own work activities
  • Acts on own initiative when delivering patient care, with accessible support and supervision

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

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

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 details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruitment Team

Nursing Recruitment Team

uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net

01273696955

Details

Date posted

15 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year per annum (band dependant on experience & care certificate)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7673797-JAN26

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Supporting documents

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