Detailed job description and main responsibilities

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Enfield Mental Health Inpatient Services, for a Health Care Assistant with a passion for delivering outstanding care to join a new inpatient ward on the Chase Farm Site, Cumbria Villa. We envisage to open on 1st October 2024,  a 15 bedded mixed gender ward. Service Users with Low Intensity needs  will be supported on a Step-Down Pathway from Acute/Crisis Inpatient admissions towards discharge.

The successful candidate  will implement, deliver care under the guidance of more experienced registered practitioners, supported by a monitored process of on-going supervision and support.

This role will be expected to work with high levels of support and supervision, with adherence to agreed instruction, whilst being guided and supported within Trust procedures and policies. As part of the wider Team the post holder will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care/services to  service users as part of a Mental Health Care Team, working under the direct supervision of a registered member of staff. This will involve being responsible for carrying out practical tasks, identified as part of the service user's care plan or care pathways.

Duties and Responsibilities:

 Patients/Clients

1. To work with the named nurse in drawing up individual care plans, carrying out risk assessments and ensuring that these are regularly monitored. 

2. To carry out and be responsible for specified aspects of a care plan as delegated by senior staff. 

3. To assist the named nurse in the implementation and evaluation of individual care plans and the maintenance of progress reports. 

4. To act for the named nurse in specific activities at their request and including attending care reviews and CPA meetings.  

5. To encourage service users, either individually or in groups, to make full use of ward facilities and therapeutic activities in line with their care plans. 

6. To work with, talk to, listen to service users, and ensure any change in their condition is accurately and promptly communicated to the named nurse.

 7. Accompany patients, including escorting sectioned patients, to various agencies, centre and other hospitals in the community and outside the Trust as required.  

8. Take due consideration of the cultural, social, and religious beliefs of patients, relatives and visitors and respect patients as individuals whose needs include social, spiritual, emotional and physical care. 

9. Ensure that patients’ nutritional support needs are met. This may include helping patients to get comfortable for meals, assisting with feeding where necessary and assisting with serving meals. 

10. Assist patients to manage their personal care needs.

 11. To assist trained staff to uphold a high standard of nursing care, including close and physical observations on patients, in accordance with practices and procedures.

 12. Assist in the maintenance of a safe and pleasant physical environment for patients and staff.

 13. Actively participate in clinical reviews of patients at ward rounds, case conferences and nursing hand-over.

 14. Assist in the confidential safe keeping of patients nursing and medical records, including appropriate entries on electronic records.

 15. Ensure the safe keeping of patient’s property and valuables in accordance with policies and procedures.

 16. To develop and maintain appropriate relationships with patients, relatives, and carers.

 17. Requisition meals, stores and food supplies as requested by the Ward Manager.

 Organisational 

18. Work as member of a multi-disciplinary team. 

 19. Attend all formal and informal meetings as requested by the line manager.

 20. Report any complaints or concerns to the manager as necessary and give verbal reports on any unusual or untoward incidents on the ward.

 21. Maintain agreed standards of hygiene on the unit and apply infection control procedures.

22. To be aware of and apply work practices in line with health and safety requirements and Trust policies and procedures.

 23. To maintain standards of professional behaviour and appearance.

 24. To take part in the induction of new staff to the ward and the admission and discharge of patients.

 Personal Development

 23. All staff are required to be appraised by their line managers at least once a year at a personal development review meeting where progress made over the last year is discussed and agreed. Focus on the following year’s departmental and personal objectives will be identified, discussed and agreed. Where necessary, help and support will be provided, and development opportunities agreed in line with service provision and the knowledge and skills competency framework.

 24. Attend mandatory training and other training programmes as requested by the nurse manager.

 25. Attend training on and implement policies on the safe handling of food.

 26. To actively participate on all aspects of quality and audit.

 27. To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade.