Job summary
37.5 hours per week / 12 months fixed term contract
Greenfields Unit is a 9 Bedded Recovery Unit that provides treatment for women with
enduring mental health needs. The aim is to prepare people for community living
through the process of intensive support and a range of therapeutic and
psychological interventions. We
are looking for enthusiastic people who enjoy working in an environment that
can be challenging. This role will
involve supporting clients with complex needs both in an in-patient setting and
in the community.
There
is an expectation that once competent you will be able to escort patients in
the community in a range of settings without direct supervision. This may include appointments, to assess
social skills and for social and therapeutic activities.
"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.
All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Senior Healthcare Assistant is to assist the trained nurse in delivering physical, social, and
psychological care to the patient / client with mental health problems /
illness, admitted to the Unit or within the community.
The post holder will be
required to work both within the ward unit and with 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 / PCF process on electronic patients notes.
The post
holder will be directed to undertake tasks once adequate instruction has been
given by the trained nurse and both parties are confident that the task can be
fulfilled competently. The post holder
will provide support and mentorship to junior staff.
However,
the trained nurse is required to carry the responsibility for decision making
and direction.
The post holder will need to travel and attend to service users based across Plymouth and other geographical areas. Full and valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the successful applicant.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.
We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.
Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:
Protected CPD time for registered staff
Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff
Leadership & mentoring programmes
Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training
A Robust Preceptorship
A bespoke induction programme
Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work under the direction of a
registered member of nursing staff, but at times will not have direct
supervision (as in a community setting).
To work within a team supporting and
assisting qualified staff in the implementation of patient care.
To undertake a range of competencies
which may include service specific training appropriate to the role/service.
To undertake a range of observations
and ensure they are communicated and recorded appropriately.
To use clinical decision-making
tools to inform care, such as, Waterlow, MUST etc and be able to highlight
significant results to senior staff.
Once assessed as competent, perform
simple wound care, blood sugar monitoring, venepuncture, temperature, blood
pressures, pulse oximetry and other clinical responsibilities as delegated by
the registered nursing staff.
To provide self-directed, individual
activities for specified patients in all healthcare settings working within
risk management guidelines, as this may include working alone in the unit for
periods of time under the guidance of a registered nurse.
To be able to identify when there
may be a safeguarding risk for any patient or carer and know the process to
follow.
Participate in the unit wide
response team which responds to any untoward incident to ensure safety in the
wards and to be fully trained in Physical Intervention (which will be in date).
To carry out efficiently and
effectively task and instructions assigned by the registered nurse
To undertake only those tasks for
which she / he has had instruction and is competent to fulfil as a senior
healthcare assistant.
To
provide mentorship and support to junior staff or students
To
engage with audits, quality improvement projects and service changes as
directed by the ward manager.
To provide a high standard of care under the direction and supervision
of more senior staff
To assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery and evaluation of
patient care.
To
liaise across inpatient and community colleagues in the statutory and non-statutory
services as appropriate.
To
provide
professional influence, direction, clarification and support for new and
existing staff, nursing, occupational therapy, students, volunteers, and carers
as appropriate as part of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
To ensure the adherence to Health and Safety and Infection Prevention
and Control guidelines at all times.
Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work under the direction of a
registered member of nursing staff, but at times will not have direct
supervision (as in a community setting).
To work within a team supporting and
assisting qualified staff in the implementation of patient care.
To undertake a range of competencies
which may include service specific training appropriate to the role/service.
To undertake a range of observations
and ensure they are communicated and recorded appropriately.
To use clinical decision-making
tools to inform care, such as, Waterlow, MUST etc and be able to highlight
significant results to senior staff.
Once assessed as competent, perform
simple wound care, blood sugar monitoring, venepuncture, temperature, blood
pressures, pulse oximetry and other clinical responsibilities as delegated by
the registered nursing staff.
To provide self-directed, individual
activities for specified patients in all healthcare settings working within
risk management guidelines, as this may include working alone in the unit for
periods of time under the guidance of a registered nurse.
To be able to identify when there
may be a safeguarding risk for any patient or carer and know the process to
follow.
Participate in the unit wide
response team which responds to any untoward incident to ensure safety in the
wards and to be fully trained in Physical Intervention (which will be in date).
To carry out efficiently and
effectively task and instructions assigned by the registered nurse
To undertake only those tasks for
which she / he has had instruction and is competent to fulfil as a senior
healthcare assistant.
To
provide mentorship and support to junior staff or students
To
engage with audits, quality improvement projects and service changes as
directed by the ward manager.
To provide a high standard of care under the direction and supervision
of more senior staff
To assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery and evaluation of
patient care.
To
liaise across inpatient and community colleagues in the statutory and non-statutory
services as appropriate.
To
provide
professional influence, direction, clarification and support for new and
existing staff, nursing, occupational therapy, students, volunteers, and carers
as appropriate as part of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
To ensure the adherence to Health and Safety and Infection Prevention
and Control guidelines at all times.
Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3, QCF level 3 in Health and Social care or equivalent experience or qualification.
- Care certificate
- Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.
- Ability to participate in activities with patients
- Ability to contribute to the process of and the delivery of high standard of care as planned in care programme
Desirable
- Vocational Qualification Level II or able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and ability to work to that level
- Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of one year in a Mental Health setting
- Band 2 level or equivalent or
- Band 3 level or equivalent
- Awareness of vulnerable adult / protection issues and guidance
- Recent experience of working in a care setting
- Team working
- Clinical governance
- Ability to work with minimum of supervision
- To undertake baseline physical observations
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Experience of variety of Mental Health settings
- Previous experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
- Working
- within an NHS setting
- Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of mental health.
- Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches and application to people with a learning disability/mental health problems.
- Awareness of safeguarding principles .
- Basic IT skills.
- A basic understanding of physical health presentation.
- Good communication and listening skills.
- Continual assessment of patient.
- Organisational skills.
- Problem solving skills.
- An awareness to maintain professional Boundaries
- Awareness of own limits and boundaries in relation to own job role
- Good written communication.
- Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice/ equal opportunities.
- Resilience.
- Willingness to positively share your own life experiences, personal experiences of your own ill health with service users and carers.
- Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower patients and carers.
- .
- Demonstrates an empathy of people
Desirable
- Has the ability to provide supervision / mentoring to junior staff.
- Knowledge of government initiatives that shape mental health practice.
- Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills.
- Knowledge of the triangle of care.
- Knowledge of CPA / Personalised Care Framework.
Specific Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with a range of people in various situations where there may be barriers in understanding for clients/carers
- Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit
- Ability to manage time and plan work.
- To complete clinical records
- To take leadership and direction from qualified staff
- To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
- Ability to work in a team effectively
- Should have ability to demonstrate basic IT skills
- Awareness of personal safety
- Able to work in challenging and unpredictable environmental conditions alone and with others effectively managing dynamic risks of our individual patient group.
- Physical Intervention in a ward environment
- Care plans and risk assessments
- Confidentiality
- De-escalation skills
- Motivated
- Compassionate
- Empathetic
- Reliable
- Confidence in dealing with patients
- Ability to work in stressful conditions
- Ability to work as part of a team
Desirable
- Current driving licence
- Flexible approach to working arrangements
Additional requirements
Essential
- Friendly and caring manner
- Approachable
- An appreciation of working with a wide age group of clients
- Flexible approach
- To work rotational shift pattern over 24 hours
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3, QCF level 3 in Health and Social care or equivalent experience or qualification.
- Care certificate
- Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.
- Ability to participate in activities with patients
- Ability to contribute to the process of and the delivery of high standard of care as planned in care programme
Desirable
- Vocational Qualification Level II or able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and ability to work to that level
- Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of one year in a Mental Health setting
- Band 2 level or equivalent or
- Band 3 level or equivalent
- Awareness of vulnerable adult / protection issues and guidance
- Recent experience of working in a care setting
- Team working
- Clinical governance
- Ability to work with minimum of supervision
- To undertake baseline physical observations
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Experience of variety of Mental Health settings
- Previous experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
- Working
- within an NHS setting
- Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of mental health.
- Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches and application to people with a learning disability/mental health problems.
- Awareness of safeguarding principles .
- Basic IT skills.
- A basic understanding of physical health presentation.
- Good communication and listening skills.
- Continual assessment of patient.
- Organisational skills.
- Problem solving skills.
- An awareness to maintain professional Boundaries
- Awareness of own limits and boundaries in relation to own job role
- Good written communication.
- Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice/ equal opportunities.
- Resilience.
- Willingness to positively share your own life experiences, personal experiences of your own ill health with service users and carers.
- Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower patients and carers.
- .
- Demonstrates an empathy of people
Desirable
- Has the ability to provide supervision / mentoring to junior staff.
- Knowledge of government initiatives that shape mental health practice.
- Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills.
- Knowledge of the triangle of care.
- Knowledge of CPA / Personalised Care Framework.
Specific Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with a range of people in various situations where there may be barriers in understanding for clients/carers
- Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit
- Ability to manage time and plan work.
- To complete clinical records
- To take leadership and direction from qualified staff
- To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
- Ability to work in a team effectively
- Should have ability to demonstrate basic IT skills
- Awareness of personal safety
- Able to work in challenging and unpredictable environmental conditions alone and with others effectively managing dynamic risks of our individual patient group.
- Physical Intervention in a ward environment
- Care plans and risk assessments
- Confidentiality
- De-escalation skills
- Motivated
- Compassionate
- Empathetic
- Reliable
- Confidence in dealing with patients
- Ability to work in stressful conditions
- Ability to work as part of a team
Desirable
- Current driving licence
- Flexible approach to working arrangements
Additional requirements
Essential
- Friendly and caring manner
- Approachable
- An appreciation of working with a wide age group of clients
- Flexible approach
- To work rotational shift pattern over 24 hours
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).
Additional information
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).
