Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for two people to join our Paediatric Theatre team as a Perioperative Health Care Assistant in RACH Theatres in Brighton.
The Royal Alexandra Children’s Theatres department comprises a multidisciplinary team of professional staff concerned with providing a range of services involving Perioperative care, regional, local & general Anaesthesia.
The Perioperative Health Care Assistant (PHCA) will have ideally undertaken or is currently working towards the Care Certificate.
Main duties of the job
PHCA will form an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team working within the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital theatre department.
They will perform circulating roles for a range of cases, and a supportive role in recovery working alongside Surgeons and Registered Practitioners to ensure that every delivery of all aspects of care and skill is carried out in a safe and effective manner.
This will include specific clinical tasks and responsibilities as delegated by Registered Practitioners. In addition the post holder will develop and maintain knowledge, skills and competencies as a PHCA within the clinical setting and ensure completion of the local induction and the work based competency document.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
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
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
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.
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 NHS Trust within recent years with evidence of your degree verified by an ENIC report.
Please ensure to attach your Care Certificate and/or ENIC report to your application as this will be required for interview.
1. Assist the trained staff in preparing an appropriate clinical area. Ensure it is appropriately resourced enabling the safe and timely delivery of patient care during the peri-operative period.
2. Assist in the preparation, damp dusting and terminal cleaning of clinical areas, furniture and equipment within both areas when required and under the direct supervision of practitioners.
3. Gain competencies in operating theatre equipment i.e. Diathermy machine, suction machine, camera stack systems, microscopes, operating tables etc. and speciality specific equipment in all different specialities.
4. Gain competencies in endoscopy and decontamination
5. Assist scrub practitioner in opening sterile equipment and consumables.
6. Collecting and returning sterile instruments/sets to and from the sterile stores and sterile services department when required and as directed by the qualified staff.
7. Clinical and non-clinical waste disposal throughout the working day
8. Labelling specimens as directed by the qualified staff ready for safe transport to pathology in accordance with hospital guidelines.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
9. 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.
10. Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation. OR international qualification e.g overseas nursing degree.
11. 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
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
12. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
13. 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