Senior Healthcare Assistant

Bridford Ward is offering an exciting job opportunity for the role of Senior HealthCare Assistant. The HealthCare Assistant post is an integral part of the Multi Disciplinary Team on the Ward that provides both physical, social and psychological care to the patients that are admitted to Bridford Ward. We are looking for the right person with an aspiration to provide compassionate care and support to people admitted to the Unit who are acutely mentally unwell and in crisis. This post is a rewarding role with career development opportunities for the successful individual.

The Glenbourne Unit is an acute mental health inpatient service provided by Livewell Southwest. The Unit consist of one female 19 bedded acute ward which is Bridford Ward and a male 19 bedded acute ward which is Harford Ward. We are currently rated outstanding by the CQC with the ward providing a wide range of support and treatment available to those experiencing deteriorating mental health; to support and enable their recovery. The Unit is an integral element of our Acute Care Pathway with links with the citywide Home Treatment Team and Community Mental Health Services.

"Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility"

Main duties of the job

The role of the Nursing Assistant is to assist the trained nurse in delivering physical, social and psychological care to the patient / client with mental health problems / illness, admitted to the Unit.

The post holder will be required to work both within Glenbourne and with clients in the community. This will involve contact with relatives, carers and other agencies. They will carry out interventions as part of the care plans and record information using our electronic patients notes.

The post holder will be directed to undertake tasks once adequate instruction has been given by the trained nurse and both parties are confident that the task can be fulfilled competently. However, the trained nurse is required to carry the responsibility for decision making and direction.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

To work under the direction of a registered member of nursing staff, but at times will not have direct supervision.

To carry out efficiently and effectively task and instructions assigned by the trained nurse.

To undertake only those tasks for which she / he has had instruction and is competent to fulfill.

To maintain confidentiality in respect of the patient / client at all times.

To be aware of Health and Safety at Work Act and the implications for the work environment.

To know how to report accidents and untoward incidents and to do so promptly.

To ensure understanding of the patients needs and risks. To obtain knowledge of Trust policies, procedures and practices and carry out duties in accordance with them.

To be aware of legal issues and have an understanding of the Mental Health Act.

To support community activities either on a 1:1 basis or in small groups.

To be an active member of the provision of care to the patient / client.

Co-facilitate groups with qualified staff.

To receive reports on patient care and be able to report back with observations to the nurse in charge within his / her competency.

To be willing to participate actively in appropriate in-service training programmes which the manager believes to be of benefit to the individual.

To assume co-responsibility for maintaining skills and knowledge levels.

To assist the registered nurse to carry out, under direction, tasks which fulfill the patients / clients physical and psychological need, as identified in the Care Plan / Assessment.

Escort patients to other wards / departments or other areas designated by trained staff, which may include the community.

Contribute to the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating care to patients.

This to include participation in case review and assessment for admission / discharge process.

Make appropriate records in the multi-disciplinary patient file / electronic records, which will then be counter signed by a registered nurse.

To assist the patients personal care and record patients observations in accordance with the Care Plan.

Record and manage patients property.

Undertake specific responsibilities designated by the Ward Manager.

To undertake mandatory and other training as directed by the Trust.

To participate in continuing role / personal development using the appraisal system.

To receive line management support and supervision.

To contribute to any audit process.

To behave in a manner which does not bring the Trust into disrepute.

This job description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will not take place without consultation between the post holder and his / her manager.

This job will be reviewed within the appraisal process on an annual basis.

The post holder is required to conform to Livewell South West policies on Health, Safety, Fire procedures, record keeping and confidentiality.

To undertake annual competency assessment appropriate to the role

Person Specification

Qualifications

• -NVQ level 3, QCF level 3 in Health and Social care or equivalent experience or qualification.
• -Care certificate
• -Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.
• -Ability to participate in activities with patients
• -Ability to contribute to the process of and the delivery of high standard of care as planned in care programme
• -Evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.

Experience

• Experience of one year in a Mental Health setting
• Band 2 level or equivalent or Band 3 level or equivalent
• Awareness of vulnerable adult / protection issues and guidance
• Recent experience of working in a care setting
• Clinical governance
• Ability to work with minimum of supervision
• To undertake baseline physical observations
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience of variety of Mental Health settings
• Previous experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Working within an NHS setting
• Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting

Additional Requirements

• Friendly and caring manner
• Approachable
• An appreciation of working with a wide age group of clients
• Flexible approach
• To work rotational shift pattern over 24 hours

Specific Skills

• Demonstrate effective communication skills with a range of people in various situations where there may be barriers in understanding for clients/carers
• Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit
• Ability to manage time and plan work.
• To complete clinical records
• To take leadership and direction from qualified staff
• To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
• Ability to work in a team effectively
• Demonstrate basic IT skills
• Awareness of personal safety
• Able to work in challenging and unpredictable environmental conditions alone and with others effectively managing dynamic risks of our individual patient group.
• Physical Intervention in a ward environment
• Care plans and risk assessments
• Confidentiality
• Motivated
• Reliable
• Confidence in dealing with patients
• Ability to work in stressful conditions
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Flexible approach to working arrangements

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.