Job summary
We are looking for confident and caring individuals to join our In-Patient Mental Health Services in Highgate as a Clinical Support Worker at our entry level (AfC Band 3) for mental health NHS careers.
These roles involve direct, face to face patient care to acutely unwell service users who have been admitted to an in-patient psychiatric ward.
This advert is for Full Time Positions, in our Acute Wards at Highgate West Mental Health Centre which are either all male or all female environments with either 16 beds or 17 beds per ward.
Note this advert has a capped number of applications, so may close sooner than advertised.
Main duties of the job
Clinical Support Workers are the backbone of our Nursing and Health Care workforce - they are based on our wards and work as part of our Nursing teams working alongside our Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Nurses, Psychologists and Psychiatrists caring and supporting services users through the most challenging part of their mental health crisis.
Successful candidates will be expected to undertake focussed one to one therapeutic conversations with service users who are in hospital, some of whom may be detained under the Mental Health Act. At times this might involve engaging in enhanced observations, environmental safety checks and physical observations.
Good written and verbal communication is key alongside a 'can do...will do' positive and compassionate approach and attitude and the ability to work as part of a team is essential.
You must have experience of caring for people in acute mental health crises and consider yourself emotionally and physically resilient such that you are able to manage the day to day challenges of working in such a dynamic and busy environment.
You will be expected to undertake day and night shifts across a 7 day working pattern and be required to complete training on the prevention of management and violence (PMVA) and basic life support (BLS).
About us
North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.Our Five-Year Strategy:
1. We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
2. With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
3. We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.
4. We will be more effective as an organisation by pioneering research, quality improvement and technology.
Why NLFT?
We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
NHS Discounts, generous annual leave, and NHS pension scheme
Excellent internal staff network
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role of the Clinical Support Worker within the Highgate site can be demanding but is rewarding as you support the service user to recovery and readiness for ongoing care during their stay.
Experience with care and understanding of mental health and ill health is essential.
The Care Certificate although not essential is desirable, if you do not currently have a Care Certificate you must be willing to work towards achieving it.
We aim to support service users and their carers/family during their in-patient admissions so as a Clinical Support Worker your feedback and close involvement together with exploring your professional curiosity with service users whilst they are in hospital is key to their achieving a successful and well-planned care episode.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role of the Clinical Support Worker within the Highgate site can be demanding but is rewarding as you support the service user to recovery and readiness for ongoing care during their stay.
Experience with care and understanding of mental health and ill health is essential.
The Care Certificate although not essential is desirable, if you do not currently have a Care Certificate you must be willing to work towards achieving it.
We aim to support service users and their carers/family during their in-patient admissions so as a Clinical Support Worker your feedback and close involvement together with exploring your professional curiosity with service users whilst they are in hospital is key to their achieving a successful and well-planned care episode.
Person Specification
Education Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 in Mental Health or Certificate in Mental Health or Current experience within a Mental Health or Substance Misuse Team.
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent (with a minimum of 5 A - E qualifications - which must include Maths and English).
Skills and ability
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems.
- Demonstrate well developed interpersonal skills.
Desirable
- Awareness of patient / service user care within the wider context of the organisation.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a Health or Social Care setting in a paid or voluntary position
- To be able to demonstrate awareness of a range of factors that contribute to mental ill health or addiction
Desirable
- Demonstrate skills in undertaking a range of physically observation ie BP, Pulse, respiration rate, urinalysis
- Demonstrate awareness of the Mental Health Act and its implications/ Demonstrate awareness of Health and Social Care or Substance Abuse legislation relevant to role
- Currently working in a care delivery role in either mental health; acute or community setting
Person Specification
Education Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 in Mental Health or Certificate in Mental Health or Current experience within a Mental Health or Substance Misuse Team.
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent (with a minimum of 5 A - E qualifications - which must include Maths and English).
Skills and ability
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with mental health problems.
- Demonstrate well developed interpersonal skills.
Desirable
- Awareness of patient / service user care within the wider context of the organisation.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a Health or Social Care setting in a paid or voluntary position
- To be able to demonstrate awareness of a range of factors that contribute to mental ill health or addiction
Desirable
- Demonstrate skills in undertaking a range of physically observation ie BP, Pulse, respiration rate, urinalysis
- Demonstrate awareness of the Mental Health Act and its implications/ Demonstrate awareness of Health and Social Care or Substance Abuse legislation relevant to role
- Currently working in a care delivery role in either mental health; acute or community setting
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).
