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?
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. 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/ECCTIS report. (please attached your ENIC/ECCTIS report at the time of application)
If you are not an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor, to support a successful application for this vacancy, 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. Please use the CV upload function during your application to upload a copy of your Care Certificate.
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.
- 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.
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 be advised this advert is for a talent pool, If successful at interview, you will be added to the waiting list for the next available opportunity.
To verify your Care Certificate, find an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation using this too: Ofqual - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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 to qualify for sponsorship.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Care Certificate from a Ofqual regulated awarding organisation. OR international clinical qualification e.g overseas nursing 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. This is evidenced via a portfolio of practice and/or a professional discussion
Desirable
- 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)
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Healthcare Assistant - Talent Pool with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust in Worthing, South East, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 per annum pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 12 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (10 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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