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-7222541
- 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
- 25/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading

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.
For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at www.cpft.nhs.uk
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
- NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care; or • Care Certificate plus experience as a Healthcare Support Worker; or • Experience of working as a Healthcare Support Worker
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working as part of a team
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of working with people with mental health problems
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- IT literacy using Microsoft Office
- Motivated to provide exceptional care
Physical Requirements
Essential criteria
- Ability to carry out physical interventions.
- Physically able to undertake a demanding role safely, as and when required.
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
Documents to download
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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