University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Senior Healthcare Assistant - Talent Pool

The closing date is 22 March 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?

University Hospital Sussex are looking to recruit Senior Healthcare Support Workers into our talent pool for future vacancies.

For this role it is essential that you have previousNHS or NHS primary care experience with a Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation.Orthat 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/ECCTISreport.(pleaseattached yourENIC/ECCTISreport at the time of application)

If you are not an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor, to support a successful application for this vacancy, please ensure your Care Certificate is attached at the point of application submission. Applications withoutan accompanying Care Certificate may not be considered as this is an essential requirement for this role.Please use the CV upload function during your application to upload a copy of your Care Certificate.

Main duties of the job

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 in ensuring the effective running of the ward/department. 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

Details

Date posted

10 March 2026

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

Reference number

279-RSCHHCAB3-MAR26

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 be aware this advert may close early is a high volume of applications are received. Please do not apply for this advert if you require Bank only.

Please be advised this advert is for a talent pool, If successful at interview, you will be added to the waiting list for the next available opportunity.

To verify your Care Certificate, find an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation using this too: Ofqual - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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 toevidencea minimum of 2 years experience in the same role (Band 3 HCA within the NHS) to meet the salary requirements 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 be aware this advert may close early is a high volume of applications are received. Please do not apply for this advert if you require Bank only.

Please be advised this advert is for a talent pool, If successful at interview, you will be added to the waiting list for the next available opportunity.

To verify your Care Certificate, find an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation using this too: Ofqual - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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 toevidencea minimum of 2 years experience in the same role (Band 3 HCA within the NHS) to meet the salary requirements to qualify for sponsorship.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Care Certificate from a Ofqual regulated awarding organisation. OR international clinical qualification e.g overseas nursing qualification.
  • 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

  • Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or Health and Social Care or relevant equivalent (or Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship standard in Clinical Healthcare Support, Health & Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification)

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 from a Ofqual regulated awarding organisation. OR international clinical qualification e.g overseas nursing qualification.
  • 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

  • Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or Health and Social Care or relevant equivalent (or Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship standard in Clinical Healthcare Support, Health & Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification)

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

Details

Date posted

10 March 2026

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

Reference number

279-RSCHHCAB3-MAR26

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Brighton

BN2 5BE


Supporting documents

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