Job Description

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.
The post holder contributes and actively participates in the smooth and efficient running of the two cardiac theatres. They work collaboratively with the perioperative team to meet the needs of patients, following policy and procedures while providing supervision to more junior staff and student nurses, where appropriate.
The post holder is a confident and competent Health Care Assistant who participates in the on call service under the supervision and guidance of a qualified practitioner
Main duties of the job
Communication

• To act as a role model by demonstrating excellent communication and listening skills with patients, relatives and staff
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to other professional groups (e.g. equipment failure, special requests from medical staff)
• To ensure that there are high standards of documentation and care planning in all areas of practice and those documentation standards are consistent across all areas.
• Maintenance of surgical register, in accordance with national and trust policies.
• To act as the patients advocate respecting patient privacy and dignity.
• Communicate and interact with other departments within the cardiac unit.

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.
Candidate Pack https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Details
Date posted
17 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,937 to 26,598 a year Per Annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
279-7548316-OCT25
Job locations
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5EB
Job description
Job responsibilities
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities, please see the document attached for full details.
From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation. Job description
Job responsibilities
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities, please see the document attached for full details.
From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.
Person Specification
Skills, experience/ Qualification
Essential

• NHS experience or NHS primary care experience is required or an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor who has worked in an acute NHS Trust within recent years.
• Care Certificate from a Ofqual regulated awarding organisation
• 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
• Ability to demonstrate activities to new/junior members of staff
• 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
• 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

Desirable

• Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or Health and Social Care or relevant equivalent
• 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
• Completed training and had experience with service specific Senior HCA extended scope of practice skills, such as; venepuncture, ECGs, simple wound dressings
• Experience of supporting new HCAs to induct and develop
• Experience of supporting knowledge acquisition and reviewing a learners practice to meet a fundamental standard of patient care
• A good working knowledge of the Care Certificate standards
• Mentoring or teaching qualification

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role) (I)

Desirable

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues (I)

Person Specification
Skills, experience/ Qualification
Essential

• NHS experience or NHS primary care experience is required or an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor who has worked in an acute NHS Trust within recent years.
• Care Certificate from a Ofqual regulated awarding organisation
• 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
• Ability to demonstrate activities to new/junior members of staff
• 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
• 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

Desirable

• Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or Health and Social Care or relevant equivalent
• 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
• Completed training and had experience with service specific Senior HCA extended scope of practice skills, such as; venepuncture, ECGs, simple wound dressings
• Experience of supporting new HCAs to induct and develop
• Experience of supporting knowledge acquisition and reviewing a learners practice to meet a fundamental standard of patient care
• A good working knowledge of the Care Certificate standards
• Mentoring or teaching qualification

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role) (I)

Desirable

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues (I)

Skills Required