Job summary
Health Care Assistant
Department : Same Day Emergency Care, Ward 1, Ward 2- Acute Medical departments
Band 3
Hours: 20 per week SDEC, Full time- Ward 1 or 2 , all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are seeking a compassionate, experienced, and motivated Senior Health Care Assistant to join our dynamic Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Medical team, or an Acute Medical Team.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a fast-paced, patient-focused environment where you will play a key role in delivering high-quality care to patients requiring urgent assessment and treatment without hospital admission.
Join us and make a real difference in a service that helps patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Interview date: Week commencing 24 November 2025
Main duties of the job
73.8% of this team would strongly recommend their organisation as an excellent place to work."- NHS Survey, 2024''
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
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.
Assist in the meeting of patients nutritional needs, ensuring patients who require assistance at mealtimes have a red tray.
Assist in skin and pressure area care. Under the supervision of registered nurses ensure patients are helped to move position to prevent discomfort and/ pressure damage.
Undertake clinical duties and record patient observations as requested by a registered professional, this could include taking blood pressure, blood glucose monitoring, basic wound dressing changes, undertaking venepuncture and removing cannulas, sutures and catheters.
To complete relevant documentation, including updating patient records with patient information such as fluid balance, nutrition, height and weight, as necessary.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job 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.
Assist in the meeting of patients nutritional needs, ensuring patients who require assistance at mealtimes have a red tray.
Assist in skin and pressure area care. Under the supervision of registered nurses ensure patients are helped to move position to prevent discomfort and/ pressure damage.
Undertake clinical duties and record patient observations as requested by a registered professional, this could include taking blood pressure, blood glucose monitoring, basic wound dressing changes, undertaking venepuncture and removing cannulas, sutures and catheters.
To complete relevant documentation, including updating patient records with patient information such as fluid balance, nutrition, height and weight, as necessary.
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
- NHS 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.
Desirable
- Able to feedback on assessments undertaken.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GCSE level or Functional Skills in Maths & English or equivalent knowledge
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- NHS 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.
Desirable
- Able to feedback on assessments undertaken.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
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.
