Job overview
****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******
A Healthcare Assistant in a discharge lounge supports patients who are medically fit to leave the hospital, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and timely discharge. The role involves monitoring patients’ basic observations, assisting with personal care and mobility, providing reassurance, and helping coordinate transport and discharge arrangements. The Healthcare Assistant works closely with nursing staff and the wider multidisciplinary team to maintain patient dignity, promote independence, and ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home or onward care.
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
Main duties of the job
Communication
1. To act as a role model by demonstrating excellent communication and listening skills with patients, relatives and staff
2. Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to other professional groups (e.g. equipment failure, special requests from medical staff)
3. To act as the patients advocate respecting patient privacy and dignity
4. Liaising with wards and ED to identify patients suitable for Discharge lounge to create flow.
5. collecting patients from wards and ED to care for patients awaiting discharge home.
6. provide care to patients whilst in discharge lounge
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.
Detailed job description and main 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.
Main duties
· 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
· Under the supervision of the qualified nurse, support patients undergoing the discharge process, ensuring their comfort and safety
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person specification
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
7. 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.
8. Care Certificate from a Ofqual regulated awarding organisation
9. 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 criteria
10. Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support or Health and Social Care or relevant equivalent
11. Level 2 apprenticeship standard in Clinical Healthcare Support, Health & Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification
12. Level 3 apprenticeship standard in Clinical Healthcare Support or relevant equivalent qualification
13. Maths GCSE (grade C or above or grade 4 to 9) or Maths Level 2 functional skills
14. English GCSE (grade C or above or grade 4 to 9) or English Level 2 Functional skills
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
15. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
16. 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