Job summary
The role of a Nursing Assistant (Healthcare Assistant) is an extremely dynamic and rewarding role. Every day is different and that's what makes this role special. The responsibilities vary from supporting patients with personal care needs; to engaging and supporting patients in discussing their mental health problems; to taking them out on leave to support recovery and social integration. On Beech we take pride in our high standards of mental health care and we like to do things differently.
We were announced as the Royal College of Psychiatrists Team of the Year Award for Older Adults in 2019 and recently won the Acute Mental Health Care Award at the National Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards 2022. We pride ourselves in providing innovative, yet high standards of care.
The successful candidates will have excellent communication skills, a commitment to working flexibly, participating in the internal 24 hours, 7 day a week rota to meet the needs of people who use our services, be able to demonstrate effective working in a multi-disciplinary team setting and demonstrate a commitment to further development with the support of the team.
This role is on a ward that operates on a 24/7 shift basis and therefore enables staff to qualify for unsocial enhancements in addition to their basic pay.
Main duties of the job
- Forming and maintaining therapeutic and professional relationships with patients to promote mental health recovery.
- Supporting patients with personal care needs, whilst promoting independence.
- To prioritise tasks and manage the shift workload in discussion with the Nurse in Charge.
- Assisting in the monitoring of patient nutritional needs.
- Maintaining good housekeeping skills, including bed making and cleaning.
- Participation in the delivery of therapeutic interventions - assisting and or facilitating in the running of group and individual 1-1 activities, offering time in positive activity and engagement.
- Participate in procedures involving intensive engagement and care of individuals who are distressed and / or verbally or physically aggressive.
- Keeping accurate clinical records.
- Supporting the registered nurses with development and regular reviews of person-centred care plans and report any concerns accordingly.
PLEASE REFER TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAIL.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details however the main responsibilities are listed below:
-
Forming and maintaining therapeutic and professional relationships with
patients to promote mental health recovery.
-
Supporting patients with personal and physical health care needs, whilst promoting independence.
- To
prioritise tasks and manage the shift workload in discussion with the Nurse in
Charge.
-
Assisting in the monitoring of patient nutritional needs.
-
Maintaining good housekeeping skills, including bed making and cleaning.
- Participation
in the delivery of therapeutic interventions - assisting and or facilitating in
the running of group and individual 1-1 activities, offering time in positive
activity and engagement.
- Participate
in procedures involving intensive engagement and care of individuals who are
distressed and / or verbally or physically aggressive.
-
Keeping accurate clinical records.
-
Supporting the registered nurses with development and regular reviews of
person-centred care plans and report any concerns accordingly.
- Engage in regular team meetings and 1:1 supervision with allocated supervisor to promote reflectivity, improve confidence and encourage continued professional development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details however the main responsibilities are listed below:
-
Forming and maintaining therapeutic and professional relationships with
patients to promote mental health recovery.
-
Supporting patients with personal and physical health care needs, whilst promoting independence.
- To
prioritise tasks and manage the shift workload in discussion with the Nurse in
Charge.
-
Assisting in the monitoring of patient nutritional needs.
-
Maintaining good housekeeping skills, including bed making and cleaning.
- Participation
in the delivery of therapeutic interventions - assisting and or facilitating in
the running of group and individual 1-1 activities, offering time in positive
activity and engagement.
- Participate
in procedures involving intensive engagement and care of individuals who are
distressed and / or verbally or physically aggressive.
-
Keeping accurate clinical records.
-
Supporting the registered nurses with development and regular reviews of
person-centred care plans and report any concerns accordingly.
- Engage in regular team meetings and 1:1 supervision with allocated supervisor to promote reflectivity, improve confidence and encourage continued professional development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Basic Education.
- To complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent agreed and signed off by the appointing manager at interview. If not, this will be completed upon successful appointment.
Desirable
- NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
- Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.
Experience
Essential
- Previous employment / experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services.
- Awareness of safeguarding principles.
- IT skills.
Desirable
- Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties.
- Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries.
- Problem solving skills.
Planning & Organisation Skills
Essential
- Able to plan work, time management, completing records and recording observations etc.
- To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
- To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
Physical Skills and Other Skills
Essential
- To demonstrate an ability to provide practical support with daily living activities, and physically perform nursing duties.
- To be able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, be able to think quickly and deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner.
- To be self motivated.
- Able to work changing shift patterns as required.
- To be maintain confidentiality, empathy, compassion and patience, towards individuals with mental health illness.
- To maintain professionalism at all times.
- To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations.
Communication Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
- Good communication and listening skills.
- Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
- Good written communication.
- Able to work in a team effectively.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Basic Education.
- To complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent agreed and signed off by the appointing manager at interview. If not, this will be completed upon successful appointment.
Desirable
- NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
- Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.
Experience
Essential
- Previous employment / experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services.
- Awareness of safeguarding principles.
- IT skills.
Desirable
- Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties.
- Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries.
- Problem solving skills.
Planning & Organisation Skills
Essential
- Able to plan work, time management, completing records and recording observations etc.
- To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
- To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
Physical Skills and Other Skills
Essential
- To demonstrate an ability to provide practical support with daily living activities, and physically perform nursing duties.
- To be able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, be able to think quickly and deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner.
- To be self motivated.
- Able to work changing shift patterns as required.
- To be maintain confidentiality, empathy, compassion and patience, towards individuals with mental health illness.
- To maintain professionalism at all times.
- To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations.
Communication Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
- Good communication and listening skills.
- Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
- Good written communication.
- Able to work in a team effectively.
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.