Welcome to the HCA Academy!
Thinking of starting a career with the NHS but not sure where to start? Introducing an industry leading programme which gives our Health Care Assistants (HCAs) the best start possible.
Joining the NHS as a HCA is a great launchpad to a rewarding career. With the HCA Academy, there has never been a better time to join us! There are so many vacancies to chose from, working in physical, mental and community health care. The HCA Academy is available to applicants for Health Care Assistant roles across two Trusts, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), and Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust (MSEFT).
Check out the current vacancies below:
EPUT HCA Roles
Click to visit the vacancy page: We have hundreds of roles – come and choose yours! (eput.nhs.uk)
What is a Health Care Assistant?
A Health Care Assistant, or HCA, is a key role in the NHS which supports nurses and other staff to deliver excellent care to our patients. You can find HCAs across all sorts of different services, from mental health inpatient wards to elderly wards to community clinics.
It is a fabulous role to get into if you are thinking of starting a career with the NHS but are unsure of where to start or prefer to learn on the job.
HCAs need no prior healthcare experience to start work, which makes it a great option for anybody looking for a career change; whether you’re a student looking for some healthcare experience, the first step on the ladder to becoming a registered nurse, or just looking for a career change.
Watch the video below to learn more about the HCA role:
FAQ
What is the HCA Academy?
The HCA Academy is a programme which provides extra support and guidance to HCAs hired across two Trusts – Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust (MSEFT) and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT). If you are recruited for a HCA role at either Trust, you will automatically be enrolled onto the HCA Academy.
The HCA Academy includes an industry leading week-long induction where you’ll meet fellow HCAs, learn essential skills and find out more about the role of a HCA, all in preparation for placement on the ward or in the community. The induction is centralised between the two Trusts, giving you the opportunity to learn about both physical and mental health.
After the induction period, HCAs will receive ongoing pastoral support, check-in calls, progression pathways and a host of other opportunities.
What is covered during the induction?
As well as giving our HCAs the best possible start, the new induction includes training in both mental and physical health, offering a comprehensive understanding of the various healthcare scenarios they may encounter.
The week will cover essential skills such as the role of the HCA, infection prevention, vital signs and NEWS2, as well as training in mental health awareness and the Mental Health Act. By centralising the training offering between the two Trusts, we enable our HCAs to understand the importance of a holistic approach to patient care.
What support will be offered to HCAs after the induction?
Following their induction, HCAs will be offered opportunities to upskill and signposted to pathways into apprenticeships and further education to obtain skills needed to progress. For their first few months with the Trust they will be given wellbeing and pastoral support with avenues to raise concerns and seek further guidance within their role.
What areas does HCA Academy cover?
The HCA Academy is offered to all HCAs who are employed by MSEFT and EPUT, covering services across Luton, Bedfordshire, Essex and Suffolk.
Want to find out more? Read our brochure for further information about the HCA role and how we can help you to achieve your goals.
Read the HCA Academy brochure.
