Developmental Healthcare Assistant

Job summary hours per week.We are looking for a motivatedand enthusiastic health care assistant to join our CAMHSInpatient Team.
This is a developmental role with training, support and assessments taking place with the expectationthat all candidates will meet the criteria to be eligible for uplift to band 3within 6 months of starting.PlymBridge House is a 12 bed, Tier 4 inpatient unit.
We support youngpeople from across the southwest aged between 12-17 years, with severe andcomplex mental health disorders such as PTSD, psychosis, anorexia nervosa andsevere depression/anxiety conditions.
Some of our patients will be detainedunder the mental health act.Therole is challenging but rewarding.
Working alongside a supportive andmotivated team to provide high quality care to young people in crisis.
The rolewill involve supporting the registered staff in delivering day to day care.This will involve supporting young people who are suicidal and engaging inself-harm.
There is an experiencedmulti-disciplinary team comprising of nursing , medical,occupational therapy, clinical psychology, family therapy and education teams.You will be given the opportunity to work alongside the MDT taking part intherapy groups.This is an excitingopportunity to join a respected team who engage in rewarding and intensive workwith the most complex and challenging presentations.
By not meeting thecompetencies set out at the point of employment the employee may be subject tothe probation policy.
Main duties of the job Thisjob description offers a band 2 HCA to follow a six-monthdevelopmental pathway that will allow you to complete your competencies intothe Senior Health Care Assistant role.
Band 3.Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, you will workwith all members of the multidisciplinary team, to contribute to the provisionof the highest standards of patient care delivered with dignity, respect andcompassion.
This job description is to be read in conjunction with the coreskills list for this particular job.To support the delivery of a high quality, safe andcompassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role modelto others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate LWSW's values.Therole of the HCA is to assist the trained registered nurse indelivering personal care to patients/clients within a ward setting.The post holder will be directed to undertake tasks onceadequate instruction has been given by the registered trained nurse and bothparties are confident that the task can be fulfilled competently.
The registered nurse will be required tocarry the responsibility for decision making and direction of care.This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.Please note that we may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted.All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
About us Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning socialenterprise delivering integrated health and social care services acrossPlymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts ofDevon and Cornwall.
Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sportscentres, and health hubs.As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, andcollaboration.
We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, whileempowering staff and those we serve.We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, inshaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the righttime and place.
Centering our work on individual needs helps people leadhealthy, independent lives.We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, trainingpathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the CareCertificate and Nurse Training Scholarships.
Our induction and preceptorshipprograms ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from allsections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mentalhealth, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities.
If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during theapplication process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description Job responsibilities SCOPEAND RANGETowork under the direction of a registered member of nursing staff, but at timeswill not have direct supervision.Tocarry out efficiently and effectively task and instructions assigned by thetrained Registered nurse.Toundertake only those tasks for which she / he has had instruction and iscompetent to fulfil.To provide a high standard of care under the directionand supervision of more senior staffTo assist the multi-disciplinary team in the deliveryand evaluation of patient careTo always ensure the adherence to Health and Safetyand Infection Prevention and Control Care guidelines.MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIESProvideand maintain a high standard of care.
Supportpatients with activities of daily living, personal care, feeding,toileting.Responsiblefor ensuring that patients valuables are documented and locked in a safe area.
Responsiblefor the updating of basic patient information fluid balance and nutrition.
Carryout assigned tasks under the direction of a qualified nurse or the supervisionof a more senior grade nursing assistant.
This includes assisting the patientsin all aspects of personal care and life skills within all Mental Health areas.Beconversant with and carry out the Livewell Southwests policies and proceduresin the delivery of care and service.
Befamiliar with the ward or community-based routines and programmes and carrythem out effectively.
Toalways ensure the confidentially of patients and clinical documents at alltimes.
Useall available resources safely and economically, seeking guidance wherenecessary.
Participatein training sessions designed to develop knowledge and skills, and attendin-service training as agreed by your manager.
Torespect the dignity, privacy and independence of patients at all times.
Toreport to registered nurse any changes to a patients condition.
Beinvolved in multi-disciplinary discussions regarding patient centred care.
Beaware of patients on mental health restrictions.Promotethe work of the ward or community area settings for Livewell Southwest at alltimes.
Tobe aware of the processes around emergency calls and at all times be under theguidance of registered staff.
This willinclude personal alarms, fire and cardiac arrest.Beconversant with and to carry out Livewell Southwests policies and proceduresin the delivery of care and services.COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS To act as an ambassador for Livewell with external agencies andpartner organisations.Always address staff, patients and members of thepublic in a politeand respectful manner either in person or on thetelephone.Be conversant with and comply with all relevantorganisational protocols and policies and have valid organisational IT access.Compassionate, caring and kind in their practice.To support the team in promoting a recovery orientated environmentby identifying recovery focused activities and imparting information andeducation as required.
Reportany complaints, untoward events, or incidents to qualified nursing staff, andwhere appropriate under their supervision, complete the appropriate records.
Thispost will involve contact with relatives, carers and other agencies.PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB The post holder will be competent in computer skills.Shift work including night shifts.Assistby providing appropriate conditions for patient comfortThere would be an occasional exposure to emotionalcircumstances due to the nature of the patients conditions.
There may be an occasional requirement forconcentration throughout the shift pattern.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS The post holderis required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent totheir post.
In addition, the post holder will complete the Care Certificate in order tounderpin their role.
Current versions can be found on the intranet or via yourmanager.
The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently placesparticular emphasis on.
Failure to follow correct policies and procedures mayresult in disciplinary action.Risk ManagementIn accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees willparticipate, whenever required, with the risk management process.
They willsupport line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completingincident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs,report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation toindividuals potentially at risk.Health and Safety at WorkYou must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting thestatutory requirements and in following policies and procedures.
A copy of theHealth and Safety Policy is available from the intranet or from the RiskManagement Department.You are reminded that in accordance with the Health and Safety at WorkAct 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourselfand to others affected by your work activities.
You will be notified where your post carries a requirement forimmunisation.
You may berequired to be able to undertake Basic Life Support (BLS).Infection ControlLivewellSouthwest is determined to eradicatehealthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal of emphasis on theresponsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliancewith Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies.
Allstaff must comply with infection control policies and guidance, attend relevantupdates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if noaction or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility toescalate their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief ExecutivesOffice).Safeguarding Children andAdultsAll employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare ofchildren and adults and are required to act in such a way that at all timessafeguards their health and wellbeing.
Familiarisation with and adherence tonational and local safeguarding adults and childrens policies is an essentialrequirement upon all employees.
Livewell Southwest has specific safeguardingpolicies and in addition, employees also have a responsibility to practice andwork within the multi-agency policy developed by the Safeguarding Adults Boardand the Safeguarding Children Board.
Staff are also required to participate inrelated mandatory/statutory training.ResearchFor clinicalposts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectation that engagement in researchwill be part of this role.
Therefore, an awareness of the value and relevanceof research is expected and the post holder should either support existingresearch within their specialty area as appropriate or identify opportunitiesto raise awareness of research possibilities.For clinical posts at band seven and above, the post holder will berequired to actively participate in complex audits using research methodologyor participate as required in clinical trials or equipment testing and willdemonstrate high level involvement in local ongoing research projects.Sustainability and climate changeAll staff areexpected to take responsibility for the reduction of carbon emissions withintheir area of the organisation.
This may relate to reducing energy consumption,making low carbon travel choices, consideration of goods and services beingpurchased, and waste reduction.
OtherThisJob Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but suchchange will not take place without consultation between the post holder andtheir manager.
Job descriptions should be reviewed at least annually at theappraisal meeting.The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees of LivewellSouthwest.
In particular, Livewell Southwest will not permit staff in allemployments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week except where thereare exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over areference period of 17 weeks would apply.Livewell Southwest has adopted NO SMOKING and NOALCOHOL policies for staff, which applies to all posts.
Details of the policyare available on request and will be included in the statement of main termsand conditions of service of staff appointed.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Vocational Qualification Level II or able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and ability to work to that at that level.
Demonstrate the Livewell Southwest Values Kind Respectful Inclusive Responsible Ambitious Desirable Ability to undertake mandatory, essential training.
Ability to engage patients in activities.
Record keeping skills.
Care Certificate Experience Essential No experience is required however an ability to demonstrate compassion is key Desirable Mental health care settings knowledge/awareness knowledge and skills Essential Awareness of personal safety To undertake baseline physical observations Confidentiality De-escalation skills Understanding of the role of the Healthcare Assistant Requirement to restrain and participate in Physical Intervention training and teamwork Motivated Empathetic Reliable Confidence in dealing with patients Ability to work in stressful conditions Ability to work as part of a team Desirable Knowledge of Record Keeping and CPA Policy MHA knowledge / awareness Continual assessment of patient