Senior Healthcare Assistant

Position: Senior Healthcare Assistant (Permanent)
To provide safe, effective and compassionate clinical support to registered healthcare professionals delivering elective surgical and outpatient services. The post-holder will assist with direct patient care, routine clinical observations, documentation, infection prevention and control, and preparation of clinical areas, working within regulated healthcare standards and Optimised Care policies.

Key duties and responsibilities (SOC-consistent)

1) Direct patient care support

Assist with admission, orientation and preparation of patients for procedures and care episodes.

Support patient comfort, privacy, dignity and wellbeing, including mobility assistance and personal care where required.

Support post-procedure recovery needs as directed by registered staff (e.g., comfort measures, observations, safe mobilisation).

Communicate effectively with patients and relatives, escalating concerns to registered clinicians.

2) Clinical observations and escalation

Measure, record and report routine clinical observations (e.g., BP, pulse, temperature, respirations, SpO₂) and calculate early warning scores (e.g., NEWS2 where used locally).

Recognise deterioration and escalate promptly in line with escalation policy and duty of care.

3) Clinical area readiness and IPC

Prepare and maintain clinical areas (ward / theatres / treatment rooms) ensuring equipment readiness and environmental standards.

Follow infection prevention and control procedures, including cleaning schedules, aseptic non-touch principles as trained, and correct use of PPE.

Assist with safe handling, storage and basic checks of clinical equipment within competence.

4) Documentation and governance

Maintain accurate, timely and contemporaneous documentation in patient records (paper/electronic).

Participate in incident reporting, audits and service improvement activities as required.

Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR, safeguarding and information governance policies.

5) Stock and operational support

Assist with stock checks, replenishment and rotation of consumables within assigned areas.

Support effective patient flow (escorting patients, preparing trolleys/areas, coordinating with clinical colleagues).

Skills, qualifications and experience

Essential

Healthcare support qualification at RQF Level 3 (e.g., NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care) or equivalent overseas qualification/experience.

Experience working in a clinical healthcare environment.

Competence in taking and recording routine observations and escalating concerns.

Clear verbal and written communication skills in English appropriate for a patient-facing clinical role.

Ability to work shifts and maintain professional behaviour in a regulated environment.

Desirable

Experience in theatres, day-case surgery, recovery, or inpatient surgical wards.

Basic Life Support (or willingness to complete promptly on appointment).

Compliance note (for Home Office file):
This is a genuine vacancy aligned to SOC 6131 in a clinical environment where registered healthcare professionals operate. SOC 6131 is included on the Immigration Salary List (subject to the listed criteria)