Job summary
- Main area
- Medical SDEC
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 216-PL-M7100524
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University Hospitals Plymouth
- Town
- PLYMOUTH
- Salary
- £24,625 - £25,674 Per Annum Pro Rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 10/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Senior Healthcare Assistant - Medical Same Day Emergency Care
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
To assist in the delivery of care planned and assessed by the Registered Nurses. To carry out care and other duties under indirect supervision. To supervise junior health care assistants making a contribution to their training and development. To undertake specific extended skills.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
Support care on a day-to-day basis for all patients in the clinical area under indirect supervision.
Contribute to resource management
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing care, recognising and meeting the specific needs of
patients.
Assist in the care of patients undergoing minor medical procedures.
To manage, under indirect supervision, own workload within clinical area and competencies of the
post.
To carry out clinical observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting all changes in
patient’s condition, including the early recognition and intervention of dialysis side effects.
Undertake the escort of patients to other departments under the direction of the registered nurse.
To support maintenance of fluid balance and dietary charts, of inpatients. Recognising, recording and
reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
To carry out observations of skin integrity over pressure points, recognising and reporting all findings
to senior staff.
To complete documentation for inpatients to be assessed and countersigned by registered staff.
To recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and carers, and to be able to
advise and refer patients on where to access information.
Document and sign for all observations and care given with counter signature from a registered
practitioner.
To maintain his/her own professional development, attending courses/further training to enhance and
optimise his/her role within the work area.
To participate in the training and development of junior staff on the unit, and participate in the
supervision and support of trainee Health Care Assistants.
Act as a mentor to new Health Care Assistants & HCA Trainees, participating in induction
programmes, and on-going development of their practice.
To promote and safeguard the well being of patients, their families and colleagues.
To participate in the development and implementation of Unit area policy and nursing strategies.
To supervise and share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all equipment on the Unit and
stock control.
In the absence of a Ward Clerk undertake general ward clerk duties
Participate in unit research and audit work to include date collection
To respect confidential information, in line with Trust policy Data Protection Legislation.
To be familiar with and adhere to Trust and Departmental policies and procedures, mindful of
responsibilities to self, colleagues and patients.
Report untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies to senior staff.
Following patient assessment by Registered staff, undertake extended skills specific to individual
competence under the indirect supervision of Registered staff.
To participate in the development and implementation of Unit area policy and nursing strategies.
To be familiar with Trust infection control, decontamination and cleanliness polices.
To undertake the decontamination and cleaning of department equipment. To participate in department cleaning.
Person specification
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria
- Experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
- Experience of time management and prioritising work
- Be able to work as a member of a team
- Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives
APTITUDE & ABILITIES
Essential criteria
- Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
- Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
- Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
- Committed to providing high quality patient care
- Ability to work with minimum supervision to a high standard
DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION
Essential criteria
- Has a caring and compassionate nature
- Demonstrates self-motivation
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- One of the following: Level 3 (SCQF – 6): - City and Guilds 3 or NVQ 3 or BTEC National Diploma or Experience equivalent to the above qualifications
- Level 2 Functional skills in English and Math’s, or equivalent
- Completion of Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)
- Equivalent experience
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Linsey Yarwood
- Job title
- Medical SDEC Unit Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 435614
- Additional information
Linsey Yarwood, telephone 01752 435614, email [email protected]
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