Health Care Assistant Job summary
We are offering a permanent 37.5 hrs band 3 post, part time will also be considered.
People with a severe and enduring mental health problem are statistically more likely to experience a physical health problem. Over 37% of people with a mental health problem also have a long-term physical health problem.
We are looking for a motivated health care assistant with experience of working in a Mental Health and/or Physical Health setting to be part our of newly established Physical Health clinics. The purpose of this team is to address some of the inequalities in health within mental health services and offer our service users monitoring and signposting to appropriate services.
The Health Care Assistant post holder will work closely across a range of teams including later life, recovery and assertive outreach teams to deliver comprehensive annual health checks and co-develop care plans to enable service users to access the support they need to address their physical and mental health needs and promote recovery. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work flexibly to meet the service user’s physical health needs is essential.
The service will operate largely in a clinic-based environment in Weavers Croft, Stroud & Cirencester Memorial Centre, Cirencester with some home visits where clinically indicated and the post holder will need to work autonomously.
There may also be requests to cross cover over our other sites within Gloucestershire.
Main duties of the job
Completion of physical health checks in line with national and local requirements for a caseload of patients with mental health diagnoses. Workload will be allocated as checks become due, the results will be documented and appropriate advice and onward referral to other services completed. The post holder will be provided with supervision provided by a senior member of the team who will coordinate activity.
Based upon the results of the observations and interviews, suitable advice and referral will be provided to the patient
The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.
About us
We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust.
The annual NHS Staff Surveygives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust. For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views (58.5%). It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that:
- 89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users;
- 73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work;
- 82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority;
- 76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative
Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant, Social Care Workers and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not.
You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.
Gloucestershire Health and Care is committed to embedding and providing personalised care through all of its services as part of our high-quality care strategy. The purpose of personalised care is to empower people to lead the lives they want to live. Personalised care starts with a conversation with people about what matters to them. It builds on what people can do, as well as addressing their health needs. Including new ways of working and delivering care, emphasising that we need to make effective use of the full range of our peoples skills and experience to deliver the best possible patient care. So we want to know What Matters to You and that you will share our values and join us on this very important journey.
Please refer to the Additional Information attachment before submitting your application.
Person Specification
Experience / Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 OR equivalent in health, social care or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrable skills in Physical Health Observations
- Knowledge of the different approaches to mental health assessment
Desirable
- European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
- Up to date clinical knowledge including risk assessment, dual diagnosis and health and social care needs
- Experience of working with mental health patients in a community setting or within a healthcare environment.
Personal Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to communicate effectively with service users and the immediate and wider team
- A willingness/ability to learn and train in new topics
- Organised, trustworthy, reliable, and able to working on their own initiative in a lone working scenario
Desirable
- Excellent standard of written communication and report writing
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
