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Job summary

Main area
Bulk Recruitment
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Please inform of any Flexible working requests at interview stage, flexible working availability is variant depending on the areas service needs)
Job ref
358-7739685-COR
Employer
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
University hospitals of Leicester
Town
Leicester
Salary
per annum
Closing
11/03/2026 23:59
Interview date
20/03/2026

Employer heading

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust logo

Senior Health Care Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 3

AI tools like chatbots and virtual assistants can support you as you complete your application. For example, they can check for spelling or grammar errors, or help you to decide what to include.

But they shouldn’t replace your own responses or be used to write the application for you.

Relying too much on AI can negatively impact your chances of success, because automatically generated answers:

  • might not be specific or relevant enough to address the criteria in the recruitment profile
  • often seem generic and not personalised enough – an AI response won’t show your unique voice and perspective
  • could misrepresent information about you, such as your qualifications, skills and experience

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct.

Job overview

Under current UK immigration rules entry-level Band 3 Health Care Support Worker roles do not meet the salary requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of starting their employment with a minimum of 12 months remaining on their visa, or to be eligible for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa have worked as a Senior Health Care Support Worker (NHS Band 3 or equivalent experience) for 2 years or more.

 About the Role

We are recruiting experienced Senior Healthcare Assistants to support patient care across UHL. You will provide clinical and non‑clinical support under the supervision of a Registered Practitioner.

Requirements

  • Experience in a healthcare setting (essential) minimum 6 months experience at Band 2 level 
  • Care Certificate & Level 1 English and Maths and NVQ level qualification within healthcare  (evidence required if shortlisted)

Training

Full training provided to develop the core skills needed for Band 3 practice in an acute hospital.

Working Hours

Full‑time and part‑time posts available. Shifts include days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays. Flexible working may be supported depending on service needs—please discuss at interview.

Typical Shifts

  • Long Day: 07:30–20:00
  • Night: 19:30–08:00
  • Short Shifts: Limited availability in some areas
  • Flexible working requests can be considered but this will depend upon the service needs, you can highlight this in interview if selected 



Main duties of the job

As a Senior Healthcare Assistant, you will support the ward team under the indirect supervision of a Registered Practitioner. Your duties will include providing personal and clinical care, carrying out delegated observations and interventions, and working within Trust policies, procedures, and your own competencies. You will take responsibility for your own learning and understand the limits of your role.

To Succeed, You Will Be:

  • A strong team player
  • A clear communicator
  • Energetic, reliable, and able to work independently
  • Confident in taking and recording vital signs

You will deliver safe, high‑quality, patient‑centred care through effective communication and teamwork.

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals: 

  • high-quality care for all, 
  • being a great place to work, 
  • partnerships for impact, and 
  • research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

  • we are compassionate,
  • we are proud, 
  • we are inclusive, and 
  • we are one team 

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The detailed job description and main responsibilities are included as an attachment to this advert.

Please evidence your Qualifications and National Care Certificate and bring to interview if you are selected

Please note that this vacancy will be closed as soon as sufficient applications have been received

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence of eligibility will be required before appointment, in line with Home Office regulations. Visa sponsorship for this post is subject to Home Office rules and Trust policy.

To meet the minimum salary threshold required for sponsorship, applicants must hold a Band 3 Senior Healthcare Assistant position within the NHS and have  at least two years of NHS substantive experience.

This requirement applies equally to all applicants and reflects both the salary requirements for visa sponsorship and the service needs and patient safety considerations. Applicants who do not meet this criterion will not be eligible for sponsorship.

 

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Prior Band 2 HCA formal care experience or equivalent (6 months minimum)
  • Functional Skills (Level 1 maths and english) or equivalent
  • Care certificate or Equivalent experience for Band 3 skills

Skills and Competency

Essential criteria
  • Clinical skills within scope towards Band 3 role
  • Worked in formal Healthcare setting
  • Infection Prevention and safeguarding knowledge
  • communication skills (written/verbal/grammar)
  • Displays evidence of team work
  • Displays relevant Digital/IT skills required for patient information recording

Values and behaviours

Essential criteria
  • commitment to trust values , dignity and respect (see trust value question to score)

Communication and relationship skills

Essential criteria
  • Good communication skills (written and verbal).
  • Able to work as a team. Able to relate well with patients/relatives/visitors/
  • Colleagues/the multi-disciplinary team and wider Trust staff.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoCare quality commission - Goodhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Debra Thompson
Job title
Recruitment Officer
Email address
[email protected]
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