Job summary
Senior Healthcare Assistant
Department Surgical SDEC
Band 2/3 £24,465 - £26,598 per annum, pro rata if part-time
Hours: 37.5 per week (Full-time), Part Time also available. All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are looking for dedicated and values-driven Senior Healthcare Assistants to join our dynamic Surgical Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) team.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking service that supports patients through rapid assessment, treatment, and discharge - all within the same day. As a Senior Healthcare Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting patients undergoing surgical assessment and treatment.
You will work closely with nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals to deliver high-quality care, ensuring patients feel safe, respected, and valued throughout their journey.
If you have experience of working in a healthcare setting, an NVQ in Health and Social Care or equivalent and sound clinical skills we will offer a supportive and inclusive team environment and career development and training opportunities.
Please be advised if you do not have a NHS Care Certificate you will be Band 2 until this has been completed alongside your 6-month probationary period.
Interview 12 September 2025
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
Main duties of the job
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Under the supervision of Registered staff, the role of the Senior Healthcare Assistant is to undertake delegated clinical care duties, assist the nursing team and support Healthcare Assistants in the delivery of safe effective care to the patient.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities
Undertake/assist patients with personal care duties as needed including bathing, toileting, dressing and feeding. Ensure privacy and dignity is maintained. Assess patient condition and wellbeing through clinical observations and test results, looking for signs of agitation or distress, reporting any concerns with patient condition to a senior member of staff, in accordance with the departments escalation process.
Professional
To act at all times in a professional and courteous manner. To ensure compliance with mandatory training.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities
Undertake/assist patients with personal care duties as needed including bathing, toileting, dressing and feeding. Ensure privacy and dignity is maintained. Assess patient condition and wellbeing through clinical observations and test results, looking for signs of agitation or distress, reporting any concerns with patient condition to a senior member of staff, in accordance with the departments escalation process.
Professional
To act at all times in a professional and courteous manner. To ensure compliance with mandatory training.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GCSE level or Functional Skills in Maths & English or equivalent knowledge
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- CARE Certificate
- Knowledge of personal care and activities of daily living
- Awareness of importance of infection prevention & control
- Understanding of the importance of safe working practices
- Understanding of the role of a Healthcare Assistant
Desirable
- Studying Nursing or Midwifery or similar at university
- Awareness of NHS policies
- Assessors training/certificate
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a care setting
- Experience of working in a team
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- Experience in supporting junior staff
Skills
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care
- Accurate record keeping
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice
- Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives.
- Good time management
- Ability to induct, support, assess and develop junior members of staff.
- Ability to undertake clinical observations and tasks including phlebotomy
Desirable
Personal and people development
Essential
- Commitment to Safeguarding
- Presents a professional appearance
- Ability to work within a team
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Commitment to working in a caring environment with people of all ages
Communication
Essential
- Clear spoken and written English
- Able to show care, empathy and respect to patients and their families
- Able to communicate with team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information.
- Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines
- Able to feedback to staff on safe and effective practice.
- Able to feedback on assessments undertaken.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GCSE level or Functional Skills in Maths & English or equivalent knowledge
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- CARE Certificate
- Knowledge of personal care and activities of daily living
- Awareness of importance of infection prevention & control
- Understanding of the importance of safe working practices
- Understanding of the role of a Healthcare Assistant
Desirable
- Studying Nursing or Midwifery or similar at university
- Awareness of NHS policies
- Assessors training/certificate
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a care setting
- Experience of working in a team
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- Experience in supporting junior staff
Skills
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care
- Accurate record keeping
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice
- Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives.
- Good time management
- Ability to induct, support, assess and develop junior members of staff.
- Ability to undertake clinical observations and tasks including phlebotomy
Desirable
Personal and people development
Essential
- Commitment to Safeguarding
- Presents a professional appearance
- Ability to work within a team
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Commitment to working in a caring environment with people of all ages
Communication
Essential
- Clear spoken and written English
- Able to show care, empathy and respect to patients and their families
- Able to communicate with team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information.
- Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines
- Able to feedback to staff on safe and effective practice.
- Able to feedback on assessments undertaken.
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.
