Healthcare Assistant

Job summary We are looking for either experienced or aspiring HealthcareAssistants on Holcombe Ward, who would like to start a rewarding career within our Mental Health, Learning Disability & Neurodiversity Services.We are looking for people who share our trust values indelivering high quality care and treatment, who enjoy working as part of aproactive Multi-Disciplinary team and want to make a difference in improvingpeoples lives every day.We can also offer you entry into our apprenticeship programme whichoffers you the chance to build a career in one of the UK's most progressivetrusts, and could even lead to helping you gain a recognised nursingqualification in the future.Our inpatient services operates on a 24/7 shift basis.
You will qualify for unsocial enhancements inaddition to basic pay for any unsociable shifts.The role will require you to hold a Care Certificate but itsnot essential that you already hold this, as we can support you to achieve thiswhilst learning in the role.Our Secure Services are focused on providing support for people who have experience with the legal system because of their mental health needs.
We aim to provide a safe & secure environment that enables them to receive a wide range of treatments, therapies & care options to assist in their recovery.
Due to the nature of the role, all staff are required to attend & pass a physical restraint assessment as you may be involved in restraint incidents.
Main duties of the job Holcombe ward is a 15 bedded all-male medium secure ward.
We support patients with complex mental health needsin their recovery in a secure and nurturing environment.
We offer opportunitiesto develop your skills within your role in this specialist directorate.Successful applicants will be required to assist multi-disciplinaryteam members in the delivery of care and treatment to people using ourservices.
The care provided will encompass social, physical, intellectual,emotional and spiritual needs of the individuals.You will also be responsible for undertaking practicalprocedures under the supervision of trained nursing staff.We know at Devon Partnership NHS Trust that Health CareAssistants from different employment backgrounds can bring a range of knowledgeand new ideas - previous care experience is desirable but is NOT essential.Our fantastic colleagues can teach you the required skills ifyou share our Trust values, are ready to learn and: You candemonstrate that you have excellent communication and interpersonal skills You will be required to work a variety of shifts - these include: , or (night shift).
Langdon Hospital is committed to involving patients, families and carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production wherever we can.We expect all our staff to embrace this way of working, recognising the equal value of everyone involved in service design and delivery.
About us About Devon Partnership TrustWe provide mental health & learning disability services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally.
We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing.
We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.Our valuesWe not only recruit employees based on their qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess and demonstrate the behaviours which underpin the core values of our organisation.
These values include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion.
We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010.
Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible.
We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health & learning disabilities.
We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Job description Job responsibilities For further information regarding this role, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.If you donot hold a QCF/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care, an equivalentqualification, or the Care Certificate you will need to complete the CareCertificate within 3 months of commencement of the Band 3 post.If you havea minimum of 6 months experience in the last 2 years working in a care role,but do not hold the Care Certificate you can complete the form CareCertificate Evidence Document from the additional documentation list toevidence that this experience is equivalent to the 15 standards as set outwithin the Care Certificate.
You will need to take this completed form tointerview where it will be reviewed by the appointing manager and if you meetthe criteria, the manager can approve this in place of completing the CareCertificate.Moreinformation about the content of the Care Certificate can be found atusing the link providedWe will alsooffer entry onto our Apprenticeship programme to initially undertake the Level3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship which opens to applicationsevery 6 months, if your role is appropriate.
This allows entry onto our careerprogression pathway to enable you to undertake further training to degree levelclinical posts.
If you are interested developing a career in care but donot have the relevant experience required then please contact our PracticeEducation Team who give your details of our up and coming apprenticeshipcareers events Job PurposeTo assist multi-disciplinary team members in the delivery of care and treatment to people using services.
The care provided will encompass social, physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs of the individuals.Be responsible for undertaking practical procedures under the supervision of trained nursing staff.Duties and ResponsibilitiesCommunication & Working RelationshipsTo communicate effectively with peopleusing services taking into account any communication difficulties they may haveand responding appropriately.To form and maintain therapeutic relationships withindividuals and other professionals and agencies.To maintain accurate and complete records consistentwith legislation, policies and procedures.To communicate in a professional manner that isconsistent with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.Taking, recording and reporting telephone messages.Providing and receiving routine information toassist in undertaking the role.Participate in ward / team meetings and discussions.Planning& OrganisationTo be involved in the assessment and implementation of individualtreatment programmes and the persons recovery care plan under the supervisionof qualified staff.To prioritise tasks and manage the shift workload in discussion with theNurse-in-Charge.Participate in flexible shift system, which requires you to work days,evening, nights, weekends and public holiday's dependant on the needs of theward.In order to provide comprehensive and quality services to individuals,the post holder will if necessary be required to work in other areas of theservice as directed by the Line Manager / Nurse-in-Charge.Responsibilityfor Judgement & AnalysisThe post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, andcompetencies.Take part in the constant assessment of risk and management of risk inconjunction with the qualified staff.Take part and be aware of Health and Safety matters as appropriate.Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner inaccordance with Trust Policies.Responsibilityfor Patient/Client Care, Treatment & TherapyTo be fully aware of each individuals recovery careplan and be involved in clinical formulation and delivery of allocatedindividuals recovery care plans.To participate fully in the allocated /associatenurse role.Participation in the delivery of therapeuticinterventions, - assisting / facilitating in the running of group andindividual 1-1 activities, offering time in positive activity and engagement.Participate in procedures involving intensiveengagement and care of individuals who are distressed and / or verbally orphysically aggressive.To provide support with daily living skills.Assist in all aspects of physical nursing care underthe supervision of a registered nurse.Be able to recognise signs of abuse and knowprocedures they need to follow to escalate their concerns.Provide regular and practical support to individualsand their carers.To maintain the dignity and well being ofindividuals and their carers at all times.Assisting in the monitoring of patient nutritionalneeds.Escorting individuals under direction of Nurse-in-Charge.To assist individuals gain access to resourcesincluding benefits and welfare rights.Participating in ward / team Multi-Disciplinary Teammeetings and discussions.Keep accurate records of interventions and careprovided as indentified in patient care plans as directed by theNurse-in-Charge and ensure all entries are validated on the electronic recordssystem.Promptly report any difficulties encountered whilstimplementing agreed care plans to the Nurse-in-Charge, and be able to report bothverbally and in written form against progress of care plans.Policy,Service, Research, Innovation & ImprovementTo complete all coretraining requirements and other appropriate training courses, to maintain individual professional development.To comply with all DPT policies, protocols,procedures relevant to the role.Report any observed incidence of unprofessionalbehaviour, accidents/incidents, untoward occurrences or faulty equipment to theNurse-in-charge or Line Manager.To participate professionally in service developmentand proposed service changes.To take part in any audit processes as required.
Comply with universalInfection Control precautions and procedures.Responsibilityfor Finance, Equipment & Other ResourcesAssist in maintaining safety and security of theenvironment.Helping to maintain cleanliness and tidiness of theenvironment (including equipment).To have knowledge and understanding of counterfraud.To ensure Trust policies and legislation arefollowed regarding patient's property and monies.To ensure accurate documentation and record keeping.
To participate in themonitoring, ordering and receipts of stock and non-stock supplies of the ward.Responsibilityfor Supervision, Leadership & ManagementTo actively participate in regular supervision andan annual staff appraisal which includes service objectives and individuallearning and development needs in accordance with Trust policy.
To participate in andsupport students learning along with other members of the team.InformationResources & Administrative DutiesTo effectively use the Trust's IT systems (RiO), offduty (E-roster), learning and development (E-learning), online and any other ITsystems either current or in the future as commensurate with the role.
Maintainingconfidentiality of information being aware of Trust policies and localprotocols and keeping up-to-date with changes.Freedomto ActWorkswithin the standard operational procedures of the team.
Uses own initiative in deliveringpatient care whilst receiving supervision from the team.AnyOther Specific Tasks RequiredTo contribute to the provision of a safe therapeuticenvironment for individuals, staff and visitors to the unit.To take on responsibility for duties assigned byLine Manager.The post holder should ensure their fitness toundertake the post they should be able to demonstrate they are able toundertake the level of general training and personal safety trainingappropriate to their role and work area, and keep this training up-to-date.If the ability to perform Physical InterventionTechniques or Prevention of Violence, Management is a requirement of the role,the post holder must declare physical fitness to undertake such a role.The post holder should act quickly to protect thesafety of individuals if they have reason to believe that they or a colleaguemay not be fit to undertake the duties within their job role.
Act within competency.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Basic Education To complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent agreed and signed off by the appointing manager at interview.
If not, this will be a trainee position until successful completion Desirable NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.
Knowledge and skills Essential Awareness of safeguarding principles IT skills Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships Good communication and listening skills Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries Problem solving skills Able to plan work, time management, completing records and recording observations etc.
To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties To demonstrate an ability to provide practical support with daily living activities, and physically perform nursing duties.
To be able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, be able to think quickly and deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner.
To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations.
Desirable Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.
Experience Essential Previous employment / experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services Desirable Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties.
Preferred Area of Work Essential Please highlight if you have a preferred ward to work on