Healthcare Assistant

Job summary

Are you looking for a change in career or just starting out on your career journey and do you have a passion and interest for working in the mental health care sector? If the answer is YES, then we have the perfect opportunity for you

An exciting position has become available at Lee Mill Low Secure Hospital for a Band 2-3 developmental healthcare assistant, this is a part time position of 30 hours a week. The successful candidate will be supported through Healthcare Assistant competencies to gain the knowledge and skills required to develop into a Band 3 Healthcare Assistant role.

"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"

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.

Main duties of the job

JOB PURPOSE

The role of the Health Care Assistant is to assist the trained registered nurse in delivering physical, social, and psychological care to people the patient / client with mental health problems / illness, admitted to the Unit within provisions of low security.

The post holder will be required to work both within the ward unit or community setting and with people or 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 the CPA process on electronic patients notes.

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

Develop and maintain a good working relationship with people or clients through regular contact and ensure their safety and well-being.

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

Job Share(s) Considered

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

2.JOB PURPOSE

The role of the Health Care Assistant is to assist thetrained registered nurse in delivering physical, social, and psychological careto people the patient / client with mental health problems / illness, admittedto the Unit within provisions of low security.

The post holder will be required to work both within theward unit or community setting and with people or clients in the community.This will involve contact with relatives, carers and other agencies. They willcarry out interventions as part of the care plans and record information usingthe CPA process on electronic patients notes.

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. However, theregistered trained nurse is required to carry the responsibility for decisionmaking and direction.

Develop and maintain a good working relationship with peopleor clients through regular contact and ensure their safety and well-being.

3. DEPARTMENTALPOSITION

4.SCOPE AND RANGE

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

To carry out efficiently and effectively task andinstructions assigned by the trained Registered nurse

To undertake only those tasks for which she / he has hadinstruction and is competent to fulfil.

To provide a high standard of care under the direction andsupervision of more senior staff

To assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery andevaluation of patient care.

To always ensure the adherence to Health and Safety andInfection Prevention and Control Care guidelines.

5.MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide and maintain a high standard of care.

Carry out assigned tasks under the direction of a qualifiednurse or the supervision of a more senior grade nursing assistant. Thisincludes assisting the patients in all aspects of personal care and life skillswithin all Mental Health areas.

Be conversant with and carry out the Livewell Southwestspolicies and procedures in the delivery of care and service.

Be familiar with the ward or community-based routines andprogrammes and carry them out effectively.

To always ensure the confidentially of patients and clinicaldocuments at all times.

Report any complaints, untoward events, or incidents toqualified nursing staff, and where appropriate under their supervision,complete the appropriate records.

Use all available resources safely and economically, seekingguidance where necessary.

Participate in training sessions designed to developknowledge and skills, and attend in-service training as agreed by your manager.

Be conversant with and to carry out Livewell Southwestspolicies and procedures in the delivery of care and services.

To respect the dignity, privacy and independence of patientsat all times.

To report changes, observations and relevant information toqualified staff.

Be involved in discussion on the development of patientcentred programmes

To be aware of limitation/competences.

Be aware of patients on Mental Health Act restrictions andrecord/report accordingly to qualified staff.

Promote the work of the ward or community area settings forLivewell Southwest at all times.

To respond to emergency calls under the guidance ofqualified staff. This will includePersonal alarms, Fire and Cardiac arrest (appropriate training to beundertaken).

6.COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

To act as an ambassador for Livewell with external agenciesand partner organisations.

Always address staff, patients and members of the public ina polite and respectful manner either in person or on the telephone.

Be conversant with and comply with all relevantorganisational protocols and policies and have valid organisational IT access.

Compassionate, caring and kind in their practice.

De-escalation skills

To support the team in promoting a recovery orientatedenvironment by identifying recovery focused activities and impartinginformation and education as required.

7. PHYSICALDEMANDS OF THE JOB

The post holder will be competent in computer skills

The post holder may be exposed to some working conditionsincluding exposure to vomit, sputum, and body fluids.

To agree to undertake Physical Intervention Training (inward-based areas) and breakaway training for community areas and becomecompetent. (This will be part of the training in order to progress to SeniorHealthcare Assistant band 3)

Shift work including night shifts (inpatient wards only)

Emotional and mental resilience

8. ADDITIONALINFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS

The post holder is required to comply with all relevantpolicies and procedures pertinent to their post. In addition, the post holderwill complete the Care Certificate in order to underpin their role. Currentversions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listedbelow are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on.Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinaryaction.

RiskManagement

In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employeeswill participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. Theywill support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training,completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss thatoccurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangeroussituation to individuals potentially at risk.

Health andSafety at Work

You must co-operate with those in authority and others inmeeting the statutory requirements and in following policies andprocedures. A copy of the Health andSafety Policy is available from the intranet or from the Risk ManagementDepartment.

You are reminded that in accordance with the Health andSafety at Work Act 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injuryto yourself and to others affected by your work activities.

You will be notified where your post carries a requirementfor immunisation.

You may be required to be able to undertake Basic LifeSupport (BLS).

InfectionControl

Livewell Southwest 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. All staff must complywith infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates andreport issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action orexplanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalatetheir concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).

SafeguardingChildren and Adults

All employees have a duty to safeguard and promote thewelfare of children and adults and are required to act in such a way that atall times safeguards their health and wellbeing. Familiarisation with and adherence tonational and local safeguarding adults and children 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.

Research

For clinical posts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectationthat engagement in research will be part of this role. Therefore, an awarenessof the value and relevance of research is expected and the post holder shouldeither support existing research within their specialty area as appropriate oridentify opportunities to raise awareness of research possibilities. For clinical posts at band 7 and above, thepost holder will be required to actively participate in complex audits usingresearch methodology, or participate as required in clinical trials orequipment testing, and will demonstrate high level involvement in local ongoingresearch projects.

Sustainabilityand climate change

All staff are expected to take responsibility for thereduction of carbon emissions within their area of the organisation. Inparticular this may relate to reducing energy consumption, making low carbontravel choices, consideration of goods and services being purchased, and wastereduction.

Other

This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as thepost develops, but such change will not take place without consultation betweenthe post holder and their manager. Job descriptions should be reviewed at leastannually at the appraisal meeting.

The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees ofLivewell Southwest. In particular, Livewell Southwest will not permit staff inall employments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week except wherethere are exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over areference period of 17 weeks would apply.

Livewell Southwest has adopted NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOLpolicies for staff, which applies to all posts. Details of the policy areavailable on request and will be included in the statement of main terms andconditions of service of staff appointed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Vocational Qualification Level II or able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and ability to work at that level in line with Livewell Southwests Values (see below) Maths & English GCSE Grades 4 Demonstrate the Livewell Southwest Values of: - Kind - Respectful - Inclusive - Ambitious - Responsible

Desirable

Ability to undertake mandatory, essential training. Ability to engage patients in activities. Record keeping skills. Care Certificate

Additional requirements

Essential

Friendly and caring manner Approachable An appreciation of working with a wide age group of clients Flexible approach

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of role. Evidence of literacy and numeracy skills Demonstrates an understanding of patients physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs according to speciality

Desirable

Knowledge of Livewell Southwest Policies. Mental Health Act knowledge/awareness. Care Certificate

Specific Skills

Essential

Demonstrate effective communication skills with a range of people in various situations. Should have ability to demonstrate basic IT skills Motivated. Ability to work in stressful conditions.

Desirable

Be willing to work towards basic IT skills Ability to work 1:1 or as small team

Experience

Essential

No experience is required however an ability to demonstrate compassion is key.

Desirable

Mental health care settings knowledge/awareness

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