Job overview
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 (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
We are excited to offer a 12 month secondment opportunity for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our HCA Education Team. This role provides a chance to develop your leadership, teaching, and educational skills while supporting the growth and development of our healthcare support workforce.
The Band 6 Clinical Educator helps lead and facilitates education programmes, including HCSW induction, the National Care Certificate, HCA Foundation Programme, and clinical skills training. Responsibilities include classroom teaching, assessment, clinical support, and supervising Education Facilitators.
The post holder will collaborate with clinical teams to identify learning needs, ensures compliance with national and regulatory standards, and embeds evidence-based practice to enhance patient safety and prevent patient harm. This role is essential to maintaining training capacity, quality of patient care, ensuring our HCSWs have the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours for their role.
Please note that this role is a secondment opportunity. Before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current line manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without your current manager’s approval. If you are unable to gain your managers approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position .
Main duties of the job
The post holder will help lead, support, coordinate & facilitate the development of education programmes for Healthcare Support Workers (HCSW’s). This role includes coordinating education activities and assessments of learning for HCSW’s within the classroom setting and clinical areas in conjunction with clinical educators throughout the Trust.
The post holder will work alongside the Senior Clinical Educator for HCSW Education and facilitate induction programmes including delivering the National Care Certificate Programme, Foundation Programme and other training sessions for HCSWs.
The post holder will be an accessible and approachable point of contact for the HCSW’s and their managers within the Trust, supporting HCSW’s in developing their skills and knowledge and the development of their careers in the Trust.
The post holder will promote and implement quality education programmes and learning opportunities for HCSW’s that reflect contemporary practice and promote quality patient care, whilst incorporating local and national guidance.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, 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 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
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 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.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To undertake and support the development and facilitation of clinical skills teaching requirements of the HCSW Induction Programme in conjunction with the Senior Clinical Educator for HCA Education.
To manage, facilitate & support the recruitment and induction processes of HCSW’s new to the Trust and provide clinical expertise and support to all HCSW’s in practice.
To facilitate the learning and continuing development of clinical staff ensuring that education is responsive to service developments.
Work alongside learners delivering clinical care. Use coaching/mentoring-style techniques during contact time with learners to identify learning needs, improve standards, and escalate concerns where appropriate.
To demonstrate effective communication skills with patients and their relatives/carers and staff.
To communicate information to managers and to the Practice Development and Education team
Have highly developed clinical skills relevant to their areas of responsibility such that they may act as an expert resource for learners
To work in accordance with the NMC Code, Trust policies and procedures.
Advocate for and contribute to a working environment that promotes continuous learning and development, evidence-based practice, and succession planning.
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
Via listed qualifications and supporting information
Essential criteria
1. First level registered nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK)
2. BSc Degree or equivalent previous experience
3. Practice Assessor/Practice Supervisor or equivalent
4. Experience of teaching and assessing learners in clinical areas and/or classroom (face to face, blended, e-learning)
Desirable criteria
5. Practice Teacher / Post Graduate Certificate in Education or currently undertaking or willingness to undertake
6. Master’s Degree level study or willingness to undertake
7. Clinical expert either through formal qualification and/or extensive clinical experience
8. Evidence of developing education programmes
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
9. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
10. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications