Job summary
- Main area
- Nursing
- Grade
- Band 2 to 3
- Contract
- Permanent: On-calls are required as part of the role.
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 279-7673797-JAN26
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Sussex County Hospital
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £24,465 - £26,598 per annum (band dependant on experience & care certificate)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/01/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Healthcare Assistant
Band 2 to 3
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. 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 a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
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.
Working for our organisation
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 a buddy 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.
Detailed job description and main 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 patient’s 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 criteria
- 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 criteria
- 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 criteria
- 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 criteria
- 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 criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Nursing Recruitment Team
- Job title
- Recruitment Team
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01273 696955
- Additional information
If Please contact Jay McDonald
List jobs with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust in Nursing and Midwifery or all sectors