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Job summary

Main area
Physical Health Support Worker - Eating Disorders Service
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
364-A-9402
Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Northgate Centre
Town
Colchester
Salary
£27,485 - £30,162 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
15/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Physical Health Support Worker - CAEDS

Band 4

Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk. 

We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.

You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive. 

The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.

We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years. 

We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.

We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.  

Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.

Job overview

*The successful candidate must have an Associate Practitioner qualification*

The Eating Disorders service is expanding its physical health remit and needs an appropriately qualified, enthusiastic and motivated individual to work within the team predominantly in Mid Essex, including the main towns of Chelmsford, Braintree and Maldon and the surrounding area. The post holder will undertake Physical Health Checks to include ECGs, phlebotomy, blood glucose monitoring, weight, height and other tests to monitor the health of patients under the service.

The Eating Disorders service operates across the county, with 2 office bases, one in Colchester and one in Basildon. Patients are seen in a variety of locations dependent on their level of need. The service works closely with other mental health teams, acute hospitals and GPs, as well as 3rd and voluntary sector organisations.

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

You will develop strong links with patients, carers, colleagues and all organisations promptly from the point of initial contact. You will support and encourage the patient to improve and maintain good physical health and work alongside the patients, their carers and clinical colleagues in the development of a co-produced care and support plan that allows them to further support their future management and wellbeing.

The physical health support worker will be supervised by a specialist Eating Disorders clinician and will be closely supported as necessary in the management of risks and the delivery of care by the team. The support worker will have clear pathways of escalation and will work within the bounds of existing EPUT policies and procedures as required.

In order to apply for the post you will need to be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills with service users, carers and organisations. You will be highly motivated and display a good ability to work autonomously where possible. You may also have existing experience in physical health monitoring and/or eating disorders services.

Working for our organisation

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you. 

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For detailed list of responsibilities, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification attached to this advert.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Associate Practitioner qualification
  • Has worked within the NHS in a primary or secondary care setting
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of squat 2 stand tests
  • Understanding the relevance of the different health checks and what a strong deviation from baseline could indicate
  • Trained and recent experience in undertaking physical health assessments including Venepuncture/ Phlebotomy, ECG, Blood pressure, respiratory rate, side effect monitoring.

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with people with mental health conditions
  • Experience of liaising with a variety of medical professionals /organisations
  • Experience of working effectively and constructively as part of a team and willing to undertake additional training
  • Experience of working with people who are in crisis
  • Personal Health and Wellbeing experience
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working with people with eating disorders

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Essex Family Friendly Employers

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rebecca Shipton
Job title
Nurse Practitioner
Email address
[email protected]
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