Job overview
The Associate Clinical Educator plays a key role in supporting high‑quality education for our Healthcare Support Workers and Unregistered Learners.
Working as part of the HCA Education Team, the post holder helps deliver core training programmes such as the HCSW induction, the Care Certificate, Foundation programme and essential clinical skills sessions. The post holder will also support the T Level health and HCA Advocate programmes.
This role involves assisting with classroom teaching, supporting learners in practice, preparing learning materials, and helping to assess under the guidance of senior educators. The post holder will work closely with clinical areas to ensure HCSWs and unregistered learners feel confident, supported, and able to provide safe, compassionate care.
The Associate Clinical Educator contributes to maintaining high training standards, promoting good practice, and helping staff develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to deliver excellent patient care. This is an ideal opportunity for someone passionate about education, professional development, and improving the experience of both staff and patients.
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.
If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support the training and development of Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) across clinical areas. This includes delivering induction, the Care Certificate, foundation training, and clinical skills workshops. The role involves supporting learners to develop the skills, knowledge, and behaviours required for their role, both in the classroom and in clinical practice.
The role requires experience as a Nursing Associate or Assistant Practitioner, or as a Senior Healthcare Assistant with a relevant Level 5 qualification in health, education, or training. You should have experience of teaching and/or supporting learners, along with a strong interest in education and workforce development. You will also be expected to maintain up-to-date clinical practice to ensure all teaching reflects current evidence-based practice.
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
Please refer to the Job Description for full details.
We welcome applications from both registered and unregistered staff with experience supporting learning in clinical practice. Applicants must hold a Level 5 qualification in a relevant Health, Education, or Training discipline (for example, Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship, Level 5 Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care, or Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training). Professional registration is desirable but not essential.
Communicate complex and sensitive information clearly to a wide range of learners, including those with limited healthcare knowledge, language barriers, or additional learning needs. This includes supporting learners during exposure to sensitive topics such as care of the dying, distressing clinical situations, or emotionally challenging conversations.
Motivate and engage learners to support the development of knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required for the HCSW role.
Contribute to the planning and delivery of HCSW training programmes, including the Care Certificate, Trust induction, foundation training, and other programmes within scope of practice. Work collaboratively with senior educators to shape, refine, and deliver training content, contributing ideas and resources to support programme development.
Supervise and support HCSWs and other unregistered learners, acting as a positive role model, advocate and mentor. Provide day‑to‑day guidance in clinical and classroom settings to promote safe and effective practice.
Although primarily an education role, the post holder will regularly work alongside HCSWs in clinical areas to demonstrate and assess skills, using their clinical competence to model best practice and maintain patient safety. This support may be required across all clinical areas, depending on learner need and service requests.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
Desirable criteria
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
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