Mental Health Support Worker

Job summary

The Dorset All Age Eating Disorders Service (DAEDS) assess, treat, and care for people of all ages with an eating disorder and their families across Dorset.

It is an exciting time to join the inpatient and day programme team as we have recently moved into a state of the art , purpose-built new building in the grounds of St Ann's Hospital, Poole. As a result of additional investment, we are increasing our staff compliment to support the opening of 4 additional beds, taking us from 6 to 10 beds.

We are looking to recruit Mental Health Support Workers who are interested in being part of a team offering treatment and care to people with an eating disorder. Experience of working with people with an eating disorder is desirable but not essential, the ability to work effectively and dynamically in a busy and demanding setting with a willingness to learn is vital.

We promote learning and development, and all staff are encouraged and supported throughout their career to grow and develop. We provide an initial induction, inhouse and other training opportunities, plus clinical and management supervision. Your continuous professional development will be planned and tailored to your needs together with support to achieve your personal objectives set via annual appraisal and you will receive regular clinical and management supervision.

The posts are full time, part time hours are also available

Main duties of the job

To carry out assigned tasks involving direct care in support of, and supervised by, a Registered Nurse.

Carrying out assigned task which have been identified by the trained nursing staff in relation to patients' needs.

To help supervise and support patients during and after mealtimes.

Making accurate records of patient observations.

To work unsupervised when offering verbal and emotional support to patients.

Our inpatient unit is open 24/7, 365 days of the year and the role requires the person to work shifts including nights. Rotas are created 6 weeks in advance, and shift requests are always considered and supported where possible.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.