NHS - Specialist Health Care Assistant (Mental Health)

As a Specialist Healthcare Assistant, your role involves conducting physical health assessments for individuals with identified mental health needs. You will collaborate with various healthcare providers, primary care teams, families, and carers to ensure that the physical health requirements of patients with mental health conditions are addressed effectively. Your responsibilities will include supporting patients in accessing other relevant services, participating in service user reviews, and promoting good health practices. You will also play a crucial role in reaching out to patients who may struggle with engagement and targeting vulnerable and hard-to-reach cohorts.

Additionally, there may be a component of the role dedicated to conducting physical health checks for patients with eating disorders, particularly those who are stable and engaged in their treatment.

Clinical Procedures:

1. Perform clinical procedures such as phlebotomy, ECG recording, blood pressure monitoring (including weighing, lying, and standing), pulse and temperature assessment, skin review, and testing of proximal muscle strength.

Patient Health Assessment and Monitoring:

1. Assist in assessing and monitoring patients' physical health and wellbeing.
2. Support access to screening services, long-term condition checks, and medication reviews according to protocols.
3. Identify early signs of relapse or changes in health status and alert the appropriate staff involved in the individual's care.
4. Recognise shifts in social care needs or increased risk factors and communicate with relevant professionals.

Collaboration and Communication:

1. Work closely with primary care and specialist/community mental health services to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care.

Non-Clinical Responsibilities:

1. Raise awareness about health and wellbeing promotion strategies.
2. Participate in clinical and social care governance care group forums.
3. Stay updated on relevant NICE/local guidelines and quality standards.
4. Adhere to NHS Code of Conduct, professional standards, and local/national practice guidelines.
5. Maintain accurate and timely records of each patient interaction using the designated clinical database.

Other Duties:

1. Participate in essential training, including eating disorder medical monitoring training.
2. Adhere to GPN policies, procedures, and guidelines, including Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, and Confidentiality of Information.
3. Stay informed about legislation, national/local policies, and issues related to the specific client group and mental health.
4. Engage in GPN's annual Appraisal process.
5. Attend relevant mandatory training sessions.