Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant - Gosfield Ward

The closing date is 11 July 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 Health Care Assistant to join our team on Gosfield Ward, an acute adult inpatient service at The Lakes, Colchester.

You will be responsible for assisting the professional team in providing care for patients in an inpatient environment. Under supervision of qualified team members, you will also implement and assist with the evaluation of individual plans of care.

You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7 day a week, 24 hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts as appropriate and as rostered.

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all of our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately your application form be rejected from the process.

Please note this vacancy requires a face to face interview with the Recruiting Manager. Applicants that are unable to attend a face to face interview need not apply.

Main duties of the job

  • To fulfill the role of Co-Worker under the supervision of a qualified nurse/clinician.
  • To deliver planned care to service users identified by the nominated professional.
  • Assist qualified staff in the physical monitoring of a patient's health, including monitoring of blood pressure, pulse , temperature, respiration, weight, drug and alcohol screening (after appropriate training).
  • Assist senior staff in the planning and delivery of therapeutic and social activities for patients in the clinical area.
  • To participate, where appropriate, in the initial assessment of the service user's problems, planning, implementation and evaluation of interventions, as required, ensuring that the service users physical, psychological and social needs are taken into account at all times.
  • To deliver effective individualised care in response to service user's needs under the supervision of the nominated professional, providing a range of supportive interventions
  • To ensure clear and concise documentation of individual service user care in all service user's files and that these are stored according to local policy.
  • Observe and report changes in the service user's physical condition or mental health to the nominated professional.
  • Contribute to the management and support of patients who exhibit challenging behaviour.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

  • Season Ticket Loans
  • NHS discounts for staff
  • Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
  • Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
  • The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
  • Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank

Details

Date posted

10 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9151

Job locations

Gosfield Ward, The Lakes

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be responsible for assisting the professional team in providing care for patients in an inpatient environment. Working from time to time without direct supervision but under the supervision of qualified team member, you will implement and assist with the evaluation of individual plans of care for patients and in their management and care under the guidance of the ward manager.

You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7 day a week, 24 hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts as appropriate and as rostered.

In delivering your duties you are expected to display behaviours that are aligned with the Trust values and as required in accordance with the NHS Constitution at all times.

  • Monitor supplies of laundry, emergency clothing and toiletries
  • Report and document incidents as required
  • Report all malfunctions, shortage and inadequacies of equipment and supplies to senior staff.
  • Co-operate with senior staff to report and investigate incidents such as complaints and accidents and ensure that appropriate documentation is completed.
  • Take part in service development and review
  • Ensure the service meets the agreed performance / contractual targets and adheres to local and government initiatives
  • Undertake and complete training relevant to the national Care Certificate competency framework

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

- Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures

- To participate in the staff appraisal process and to undertake for any staff you manage

- To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy

- To provide management supervision where appropriate

HCA Academy

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) brings together key health, care, community, and voluntary sector organisations from across our area. Our aim is to work together in partnership to join up health and care services, improving our populations health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. One such example of this collaborative work is the launch of our HCA Academy, an ICS initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) to support the incoming Health Care assistant (HCA) workforce. The academy models a one workforce cross system approach to the onboarding, induction, education and experience of Healthcare Assistants.

To support this one workforce model the successful candidate for this post will be required to attend our5 day (Monday to Friday) face to face Induction Programme at our MSE ICS Education Hub at Brentwood Community Hospital. Your start date will therefore fall on one of two of the HCA Academy induction dates across the month, which will be discussed and agreed during the recruitment process.

Our HCA Academy Induction programme has been designed to train and support the successful candidate through the early stages of their employment at EPUT and will provide opportunities to enhance skills, knowledge and experience.

Further information will be provided post interview.

This will be followed by an additional 5 day (Monday to Friday) EPUT corporate / mandatory training welcome. (EPUT Welcome will be varied between face to face and virtual delivery).

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be responsible for assisting the professional team in providing care for patients in an inpatient environment. Working from time to time without direct supervision but under the supervision of qualified team member, you will implement and assist with the evaluation of individual plans of care for patients and in their management and care under the guidance of the ward manager.

You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7 day a week, 24 hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts as appropriate and as rostered.

In delivering your duties you are expected to display behaviours that are aligned with the Trust values and as required in accordance with the NHS Constitution at all times.

  • Monitor supplies of laundry, emergency clothing and toiletries
  • Report and document incidents as required
  • Report all malfunctions, shortage and inadequacies of equipment and supplies to senior staff.
  • Co-operate with senior staff to report and investigate incidents such as complaints and accidents and ensure that appropriate documentation is completed.
  • Take part in service development and review
  • Ensure the service meets the agreed performance / contractual targets and adheres to local and government initiatives
  • Undertake and complete training relevant to the national Care Certificate competency framework

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

- Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures

- To participate in the staff appraisal process and to undertake for any staff you manage

- To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy

- To provide management supervision where appropriate

HCA Academy

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) brings together key health, care, community, and voluntary sector organisations from across our area. Our aim is to work together in partnership to join up health and care services, improving our populations health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. One such example of this collaborative work is the launch of our HCA Academy, an ICS initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) to support the incoming Health Care assistant (HCA) workforce. The academy models a one workforce cross system approach to the onboarding, induction, education and experience of Healthcare Assistants.

To support this one workforce model the successful candidate for this post will be required to attend our5 day (Monday to Friday) face to face Induction Programme at our MSE ICS Education Hub at Brentwood Community Hospital. Your start date will therefore fall on one of two of the HCA Academy induction dates across the month, which will be discussed and agreed during the recruitment process.

Our HCA Academy Induction programme has been designed to train and support the successful candidate through the early stages of their employment at EPUT and will provide opportunities to enhance skills, knowledge and experience.

Further information will be provided post interview.

This will be followed by an additional 5 day (Monday to Friday) EPUT corporate / mandatory training welcome. (EPUT Welcome will be varied between face to face and virtual delivery).

Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE grade c or above in English & Maths
  • Demonstrated a commitment for further learning
  • Willingness to complete Health & Social Care Level 2/3 apprenticeship

Desirable

  • Previous NHS experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • Awareness of safeguarding
  • Awareness of confidentiality

Desirable

  • Basic understanding of legislation relating to care.
  • Awareness of NICE guidance

Skills & Experience

Essential

  • Effective Communication skills

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a team
Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE grade c or above in English & Maths
  • Demonstrated a commitment for further learning
  • Willingness to complete Health & Social Care Level 2/3 apprenticeship

Desirable

  • Previous NHS experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • Awareness of safeguarding
  • Awareness of confidentiality

Desirable

  • Basic understanding of legislation relating to care.
  • Awareness of NICE guidance

Skills & Experience

Essential

  • Effective Communication skills

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a 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.

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Gosfield Ward, The Lakes

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL


Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Gosfield Ward, The Lakes

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL


Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Jacqueline McCormack

jacqueline.mccormack@nhs.net

01206228714

Details

Date posted

10 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9151

Job locations

Gosfield Ward, The Lakes

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5JL


Supporting documents

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