Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 23 April 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Healthcare Assistant to join Pendennis Ward at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. Pendennis is a busy surgical unit providing care to emergency surgical patients. The applicant must have excellent communication skills and a willingness to learn and undertake new skills.

Pendennis is a 24 bedded ward that strives to provide excellent patient care and create effective but safe patient flow throughout the hospital. We work closely with our surgical team of doctors so you must have excellent communication skills. You must enjoy working as a team and have a pro-active attitude.

This role has been approved for advertising; however, it is also being assessed as a suitable alternative employment opportunity. As a result, the vacancy may be withdrawn or there may be a delay before shortlisting can begin.

The role is open to all applicants. However, in line with Cornwall First Recruitment principles, initial shortlisting will prioritise applicants from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and the Integrated Care Board for Cornwall and the Isles of Silly.

Main duties of the job

You must be able to demonstrate the ability to work or working towards Band 3 level, and recent acute hospital experience would be advantageous.

So if you are looking to join a welcoming and supportive team and you want to make a difference to every patient's experience you will fit right in with us.

Sustainability is integral to the Trust achieving the NHS Net Zero target. All staff are therefore actively encouraged and supported to implement new ways of working within their field of expertise.

About us

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It serves a population of around 470,000 people, a figure that can increase significantly with visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £740 million.

RCHTis responsible forthe provision of services at three main sites with approximately 780 inpatient beds:

Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro

St Michael's Hospital in Hayle

West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance

We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as ourfacilities, andare committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles. This plays a vital part in attracting and retaining highly skilled teams of doctors, nurses and other health professionals who support the care of well over half a million people each year.

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

156-7876529

Job locations

Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

  • Identity Checks
  • Professional registration and qualification checks
  • Employment history and reference checks
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
  • Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

  • Identity Checks
  • Professional registration and qualification checks
  • Employment history and reference checks
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
  • Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE Maths & English, or Equivalent
  • NVQ 2 in Health Care, or Equivalent
  • Clinical skills e.g. venepuncture, blood transfusion, aseptic non touch technique

Desirable

  • NVQ 3 in Direct Care

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience in a care setting
  • Previous hospital experience

Skills

Essential

  • Able to competently organise and carry out designated workload within scope of previous training
  • Competent in English Language - written and verbal
  • Computer literate
  • Verbal communication/language skills
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE Maths & English, or Equivalent
  • NVQ 2 in Health Care, or Equivalent
  • Clinical skills e.g. venepuncture, blood transfusion, aseptic non touch technique

Desirable

  • NVQ 3 in Direct Care

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience in a care setting
  • Previous hospital experience

Skills

Essential

  • Able to competently organise and carry out designated workload within scope of previous training
  • Competent in English Language - written and verbal
  • Computer literate
  • Verbal communication/language skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Employer's website

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Sister

Sara Richards

sara.richards4@nhs.net

01872252070

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

156-7876529

Job locations

Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)