Job summary
Do you enjoy working in a compassionate environment, want to learn and develop new skills, enjoy working with a variety of service users, all with very different needs and work with people in crisis to help them with their recovery, then this job is for you!
An opportunity has arisen for a Health Care Assistant to join our Psychiatric Intensive Care Team - in our purpose-built unit.
Upon joining our team, we will ensure that successful candidates undergo both mandatory and bespoke training, to fully equip them with the skills required to work within our PICU environment.
Main duties of the job
- To have a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and to be aware of relevant MHA information when carrying out observations, to support leave appropriately for detained patients under the approval of a qualified practitioner.
- To undertake and record clinical observations(e.g temperature, pulse, blood pressure) as required. Recording the observations accordingly and escalating any concerns to a qualified practitioner as appropriate.- To undertake and record therapeutic observations in accordance with the Trust's Observation & Engagement Policy (for example general, 1:1 and 2:1observations) as required and instructed with access to supervision from a qualified member of staff.
-To be competent in all aspects of reducing restrictive practices, which includes the early prevention of violence and aggression using least restrictive approaches, positive behaviour support through to physical manual restraint as a last option. This can be part of planned interventions set by a qualified member of staff or as an intervention to manage challenging behaviours as they occur, immediately alerting a qualified practitioner for support and supervision.- To ensure that security protocols and procedures are carried out over a 24-hour period and any possible breaches should be reported to the senior nurse immediately.
About us
Our team provides short-term intensive assessment, treatment, and support to Service Users, who maybe experiencing a mental health crisis crisis, and often present with a variety of complex mental health needs.
To maximise Service User recovery, the teams will be working in a trauma informed way and utilising the RAID model of care. Our aim is to work in the least restrictive way as possible whilst maintaining patient safety.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To communicate effectively with patients, staff, families and other external agencies and use a polite telephone manner. To use verbal and non-verbal skills to overcome communication barriers presented by service users due to their mental health or learning disability needs.- To ensure effective communication, either verbal or written is carried out amongst the team and by reporting any change or unusual occurrence in an individuals behaviour or condition to the registered nurse.
-To comply with Trust policy and management instruction with regard to health and safety and to fire prevention and, in particular, not to do anything that endangers yourself or others.-To have a responsibility to be aware of and report safeguarding concerns to a senior nurse and record in notes where required- Facilitate patient activities under the direction of qualified staff. To assist Occupational Therapy staff in their therapeutic activity with patients; and to assist any other Allied Health Professionals
-To be flexible to meet the needs of the unit.- To be willing to undertake a full range of shifts as per the requirements of the service. Subject to any requests made and agreed in accordance with the Trusts Flexible Working Policy
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To communicate effectively with patients, staff, families and other external agencies and use a polite telephone manner. To use verbal and non-verbal skills to overcome communication barriers presented by service users due to their mental health or learning disability needs.- To ensure effective communication, either verbal or written is carried out amongst the team and by reporting any change or unusual occurrence in an individuals behaviour or condition to the registered nurse.
-To comply with Trust policy and management instruction with regard to health and safety and to fire prevention and, in particular, not to do anything that endangers yourself or others.-To have a responsibility to be aware of and report safeguarding concerns to a senior nurse and record in notes where required- Facilitate patient activities under the direction of qualified staff. To assist Occupational Therapy staff in their therapeutic activity with patients; and to assist any other Allied Health Professionals
-To be flexible to meet the needs of the unit.- To be willing to undertake a full range of shifts as per the requirements of the service. Subject to any requests made and agreed in accordance with the Trusts Flexible Working Policy
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE (or equivalent level of education) with grade D/E (2/3) or above in English and Maths or functional skills level 1
- Vocational (or equivalent) Qualification at level 3 in Care or demonstrable equivalent relevant experience to this level
- Completion of Care Certificate or commitment to complete
- PMVA training or willingness and ability to complete upon appointment
- Short courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with adults/children
- Experience of working with people who suffer from mental illness
- Experience of working as a nursing assistant Experience of carrying out clinical observations
- Experience of Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression techniques
Desirable
- Experience of caring for others
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of being involved in the delivery of therapeutic activites.
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of mental health difficulties
- An awareness of stigma and discrimination of people with mental health issues
- Awareness of ward procedures and clinical observations
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to impart knowledge, supervise and direct the work of others under supervision.
- Able to communicate effectively with patients and their carers'.
- Able to remain calm in stressful situations and display patience and empathy
- Able to respond sensitively to emotional distress
- Able to report observations accurately and concisely.
- Able to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships patients and families
- Able to organise day to day tasks and activities based on an agreed work plan.
Desirable
- Willingness to participate in staff induction and training for junior staff
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE (or equivalent level of education) with grade D/E (2/3) or above in English and Maths or functional skills level 1
- Vocational (or equivalent) Qualification at level 3 in Care or demonstrable equivalent relevant experience to this level
- Completion of Care Certificate or commitment to complete
- PMVA training or willingness and ability to complete upon appointment
- Short courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with adults/children
- Experience of working with people who suffer from mental illness
- Experience of working as a nursing assistant Experience of carrying out clinical observations
- Experience of Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression techniques
Desirable
- Experience of caring for others
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of being involved in the delivery of therapeutic activites.
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of mental health difficulties
- An awareness of stigma and discrimination of people with mental health issues
- Awareness of ward procedures and clinical observations
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to impart knowledge, supervise and direct the work of others under supervision.
- Able to communicate effectively with patients and their carers'.
- Able to remain calm in stressful situations and display patience and empathy
- Able to respond sensitively to emotional distress
- Able to report observations accurately and concisely.
- Able to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships patients and families
- Able to organise day to day tasks and activities based on an agreed work plan.
Desirable
- Willingness to participate in staff induction and training for junior staff
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).
