Health Care Assistant - Mental Health

Invicta Health CIC

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for healthcare assistants to be part of a team, working collaboratively with the GP practices across East Kent, to improve the implementation of physical health checks within GP practices for patients on the Severe Mental Illness (SMI) register. You will work with team colleagues to develop working relationships to promote physical health and improve physical health outcomes for the SMI population.

The successful candidates will be able to use their skills in physical health monitoring and communication skills, in interacting well with patients, to ensure effective and improved outcomes.

This service is provided across various locations within East Kent. Travelling to different locations will be an essential part of the role. However, we will support successful applicants to work more locally to their home or work base, where possible.

Main duties of the job

Establishing good working relationships with GP practices which will be essential in the implementation of this service, and the delivery of virtual and in-person physical health monitoring.

To work closely with staff within the GP practices and the Primary Care Mental Health Service (PCMHS) team to increase the completion and evidencing of physical health checks for SMI patients.

To recognise and observe changes in patients physical health, mental health and behaviour which must be reported, recorded and acted on.

To be part of a team, providing this physical health checks service. Responsibilities will include delivery of standard physical health checks within the GP practices and the effective recording and communication of these results within healthcare systems.

About us

We are a non-profit company, with a passion for delivering high quality primary care. We have a wide range of services such as hub-based GPs services, GP surgeries, a Community Primary Care mental health service, GP staff training service and Urgent Care Centres in partnership with other local healthcare providers. With the changing needs of our communities the list and range of services is growing all the time.

Formed by a federation of General Practitioners working in Canterbury and South Kent Coast areas of East Kent. Our aim is to provide accessible, high quality services for local people by collaborating with other established organisations in the health and social care community.

Date posted

27 October 2021

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0082-21-7832

Job locations

Innovation House

Innovation Way

Sandwich

Kent

CT13 9FF


Job description

Job responsibilities

The postholder will work collaboratively with the GP practices across East Kent to support and provide physical health checks for their patients. The successful candidate will be able to use their own initiative to work both independently and as part of the PCMHS team to provide holistic treatment and care.

The postholder will support patients on an individual basis and as part of a clinic, utilising their skills and experience in provided physical health monitoring to patients within primary care.

Key Responsibilities

  • To work alongside members of the GP practices and PCMHS team to provide patient care (including health and social support)
  • To undertake and record physical health checks including the following:
  • Measurement of height and weight
  • Measurement of blood pressure, temperature and pulse, pulse oximeter
  • Peak flow measurements
  • Recording of ECGs
  • Venepuncture
  • Blood glucose testing
  • To recognise and observe changes in patients physical, mental health and behaviour which must be reported, recorded and acted on.
  • To provide necessary support to people who use primary care services to help them maintain their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
  • Work effectively and flexibly as part of a wider PCMHS team across East Kent.
  • To be aware of and work to the principles of the Mental Health Act (MHA).
  • Able to interact with patients and colleagues in a professional manner as well as create and maintain professional relationships with external organisations.

Please refer to JD for full details on the role and responsibilites

Job description

Job responsibilities

The postholder will work collaboratively with the GP practices across East Kent to support and provide physical health checks for their patients. The successful candidate will be able to use their own initiative to work both independently and as part of the PCMHS team to provide holistic treatment and care.

The postholder will support patients on an individual basis and as part of a clinic, utilising their skills and experience in provided physical health monitoring to patients within primary care.

Key Responsibilities

  • To work alongside members of the GP practices and PCMHS team to provide patient care (including health and social support)
  • To undertake and record physical health checks including the following:
  • Measurement of height and weight
  • Measurement of blood pressure, temperature and pulse, pulse oximeter
  • Peak flow measurements
  • Recording of ECGs
  • Venepuncture
  • Blood glucose testing
  • To recognise and observe changes in patients physical, mental health and behaviour which must be reported, recorded and acted on.
  • To provide necessary support to people who use primary care services to help them maintain their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
  • Work effectively and flexibly as part of a wider PCMHS team across East Kent.
  • To be aware of and work to the principles of the Mental Health Act (MHA).
  • Able to interact with patients and colleagues in a professional manner as well as create and maintain professional relationships with external organisations.

Please refer to JD for full details on the role and responsibilites

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 or Kaspac
  • Valid drivers licence with business car insurance

Desirable

  • Appropriately recognised phlebotomy training
  • A good standard of education
  • Undertaken training in spirometry, ECGs, and venepuncture.
  • Training in the use of assessment tools

Skills and Competencies

Essential

  • Good clinical skills in conducting physical health checks
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Self-motivated
  • IT skills
  • Able to work to strict infection control standards
  • Able to work to strict deadlines
  • Excellent time keeping skills
  • Ability to cope with the physical demands of the job
  • Good record keeping skills

Desirable

  • Experience of clinical systems such as EMIS
  • Observes good health & safety practices

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience in a primary care setting
  • Physical health monitoring experience in a clinical setting

Desirable

  • Previous knowledge of infection control procedures
  • Experience in the community

Disposition

Essential

  • Flexible and caring
  • Good team player
  • Calm under pressure
  • Good levels of concentration
  • Confidence to escalate issues and concerns to senior medical team
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 or Kaspac
  • Valid drivers licence with business car insurance

Desirable

  • Appropriately recognised phlebotomy training
  • A good standard of education
  • Undertaken training in spirometry, ECGs, and venepuncture.
  • Training in the use of assessment tools

Skills and Competencies

Essential

  • Good clinical skills in conducting physical health checks
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Self-motivated
  • IT skills
  • Able to work to strict infection control standards
  • Able to work to strict deadlines
  • Excellent time keeping skills
  • Ability to cope with the physical demands of the job
  • Good record keeping skills

Desirable

  • Experience of clinical systems such as EMIS
  • Observes good health & safety practices

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience in a primary care setting
  • Physical health monitoring experience in a clinical setting

Desirable

  • Previous knowledge of infection control procedures
  • Experience in the community

Disposition

Essential

  • Flexible and caring
  • Good team player
  • Calm under pressure
  • Good levels of concentration
  • Confidence to escalate issues and concerns to senior medical team

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Invicta Health CIC

Address

Innovation House

Innovation Way

Sandwich

Kent

CT13 9FF


Employer's website

https://invictahealth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Invicta Health CIC

Address

Innovation House

Innovation Way

Sandwich

Kent

CT13 9FF


Employer's website

https://invictahealth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Primary Care Mental Health Service Manager

Tracey Dillon

ihc.hr@nhs.net

08002425199

Date posted

27 October 2021

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0082-21-7832

Job locations

Innovation House

Innovation Way

Sandwich

Kent

CT13 9FF


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Invicta Health CIC's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)