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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
NHS AFC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
354-AB-20993
Employer
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Mill View Hospital
Town
Hove
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 pa / pro rata for part time
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/11/2025 08:00

Employer heading

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust logo

Health Care Support Worker

NHS AFC: Band 3

Come and join us

We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.

At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.

We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.

We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.

We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.

Job overview

We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate individuals to join our teams working with adults with acute mental health needs on Falmer Ward, Mill View Hospital. 

Falmer Ward provides a comprehensive induction period that will support you to develop in to a knowledgeable and skilled healthcare assistant. There is a wealth of career development opportunities available to all of our colleagues, and you will be supported to undertake comprehensive training in specialist skills such as The Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) and Immediate Life Support (ILS).

The ideal candidate will have a passion for supporting people in crisis and breaking down the stigma of mental illness. You will be working alongside a multi disciplinary team to deliver person centred, evidenced based care.

Falmer Ward is a 20 bedded mixed gender acute ward. We are passionate about least restrictive practice and nurse-led activities. We are an energetic and motivated team and you will supported in implementing positive changes in practice for patients.

Main duties of the job

In your role as a healthcare assistant, you will report to the nurse in charge and your main duties will involve completing observations to maintain patient safety, supporting patients with regular, therapeutic engagements. You will act as an escort to patients, whether to accompany them on therapeutic community leave or for conveyance to another healthcare setting. You will contribute to and follow each patients care plan to engage them in therapeutic interventions, and will be encouraged to share your views and expertise in developing person-centred plans for care and treatment.

We are currently recruiting for full time (37.5 hour) healthcare assistants to work a variety of shifts. Many of our colleagues across the hospital work flexibly, and this can be discussed with the interviewing manager if your application is successful.

Mill View Hospital is a fast paced and dynamic place to work, and no two days are the same. You will be supported in regular supervision by your line manager or other members of the management team, where you can discuss any concerns or ideas you may have to develop the service we provide.

Working for our organisation

All of our wards work two shift patterns:

Day 07:00-19:30

Night 19:00-07:30

All applicants can expect to work a roster that covers both day shifts and night shifts, as well as some weekend working. Both day and night shifts begin promptly with a handover from the nurse in charge from the previous shift, and so excellent timekeeping is required in this role.

There are pay enhancements available for antisocial hours and weekend working, and our colleagues report a significant uplift in take home pay when enhancements are added to their basic salary. If successful, you will be able to access SPFT Bank staffing, which will allow you to work extra bank shifts on top of your contracted shifts across SPFT sites.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A detailed job description and person specification is attached to this job advert. Please see these for further information.

Person specification

Qualifications

Desirable criteria
  • The Care Certificate

Knowledge/Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working collaboratively i.e. with colleagues, wider teams, service users etc
Desirable criteria
  • Prior experience of working in a mental health environment
  • Compassionate and caring
  • An understanding of professional boundaries
  • Experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardStep into healthPride In Veterans

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

Due to high numbers of applications this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date. We will not be able to accept late applications to this post.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Shanice-Marie Gilham-Hills
Job title
Ward Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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