Senior Healthcare Assistant – Talent Pool
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279) – Closing date: 12 July 2026.
Do you have a background in care and are looking for a new, exciting opportunity? Do you want 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 previous NHS or NHS primary care experience with a Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation. If 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/ECCTIS report, please attach your ENIC/ECCTIS report at the time of application. If you are not an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor, please ensure your Care Certificate is attached at the point of application submission. Applications without an accompanying Care Certificate may not be considered as this is an essential requirement for this role.
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.
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 a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Job responsibilities
- Assist patients to carry out personal care including meeting hygiene and continence needs whilst encouraging independence, as appropriate.
- Assist with patient nutritional needs – eating, drinking, menu selection, meal delivery and special diets according to the individual patients’ needs.
- Assist patients to mobilise where appropriate.
- Undertake 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, assist in the collection of specimens and record results.
- There is an expectation that 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.
- 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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation, or an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor with a verified overseas 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 (evidenced via a portfolio of practice and/or a professional discussion).
- 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).
Visa Sponsorship
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. 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 to qualify for sponsorship.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
- 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 name
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year – pro rata.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…