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Job summary

Main area
Healthcare Assistant
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Flexible hours covering shifts over a 24/7 period)
Job ref
310-OPAC-7076418
Employer
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Willow Ward
Town
Cambridge
Salary
£24,625 - £25,674 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/05/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Assistant

Band 3

Job overview

The post holder will work within Willow Ward, this is an inpatient unit for the assessment and treatment of patients aged 65 and over suffering with mental health problems.

The job includes listening and talking to patients/relatives/carers, observing patients behaviour, providing close observation to ensure patient safety (one to one), encouraging them with eating, drinking, personal hygiene.  Involving them in diversional activities, escorting patients out of the unit, dealing with anger (explanations, negotiation and de-escalation) and assisting in the management of violent episodes.

Communicating within the immediate clinical team, with the unit’s medical staff, and liaising with a wide range of professionals involved in care.  Reporting and documenting observations.

Main duties of the job

  • To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific client group and mental health.
  • To comply with the Professional Codes of Conduct and to be aware of changes in these. To maintain up to date knowledge of all relevant legislation and local policies and procedures implementing this.
  • To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest standard and in accordance with currently quality initiatives within the work area.
  • To comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information and to be aware of any changes in these.
  • To comply at all times with the Trust’s Information Governance related policies. Staffs are required to respect the confidentiality of information about staff, patients and Trust business and in particular the confidentiality and security of personal identifiable information in line with the Data Protection Act. All staff are responsible for ensuring that any data created by them is timely, comprehensive, accurate, and fit for the purposes for which it is intended.

Working for our organisation

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.

Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.

To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.

Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.

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

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities

 

  • The post holder will communicate with a range of professional staff, patients, carers and relatives and external agencies as appropriate.
  • The Health Care Assistant/Activity Support Worker is a member of the clinical team and plays a contributory role in facilitating the health and well-being of the patients which may include:
  • Recognising the individuality of the patient and help to meet his or her social, emotional and intellectual needs.
  • Will be involved in the delivery and coordination of ward activities
  • Ensuring that basic physical needs are met, such as adequate diet, hygiene, warmth, comfort and safety.
  • Assisting in planned treatments in accordance with the multi-disciplinary team approach.
  • Providing and receiving routine information to assist in undertaking own job.
  • Health Care and Activity duties required to be undertaken under the direction and/or supervision of a qualified nurse/Occupational Therapist in line with care plans.
  • Performing procedures only after instruction.
  • Developing communication skills with patients/carers and relatives.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Must be willing to work towards NVQ level 3 in direct care or Certificate in Care if not already held.
Desirable criteria
  • Training and experience e.g. lifting, first aid, food handling, care work.
  • Related healthcare interests or education

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with people e.g. in a caring situation, dealing with the general public.
  • Ability to think quickly and deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner
  • Aware of the affect your behaviour can have on those around you.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of mental health difficulties.
  • Previous experience of working in mental health services.
  • Basic understanding of Recovery Model, issues of dignity and privacy
  • Basic understanding of risk

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic.
  • Listens to others’ views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
  • Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
  • Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
  • Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records
Desirable criteria
  • Basic computer literacy
  • Ability to be involved in the safe restraint of patients after training.

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential criteria
  • Awareness of safeguarding issues
  • • Basic understanding of legislation relating to care including: Mental Health Act: Mental Capacity Act: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Act: Children’s Act : Equality Act 2010: Health & Safety Act : Data Protection Act : Knowledge of NICE guidance

Physical Requirements

Essential criteria
  • Ability to carry our physical interventions
  • Physically able to undertake a demanding role safely, as and when required

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardNHS Employers Diversity and Inclusion PartnersVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in PeopleDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeImproving working livesCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.NHS Rainbow badgePrince's Trust - Proud to support the Prince's trust - Youth can do itStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, please submit your application as early as possible.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Charlotte Watkins
Job title
Willow Ward Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01223 219500
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