Job overview

The Nursing Support Worker is a valued member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team within the Older Adult Mental Health Assessment Unit, working under the direction of Registered Nurses to provide compassionate, person-centred care to older adults experiencing mental health conditions such as dementia, depression, anxiety, psychosis, and cognitive impairment.

The post holder supports patients with activities of daily living, delivers direct care, undertakes physical health observations, and assists in monitoring mental and physical wellbeing. Working in line with care plans, risk assessments, and relevant policies, they support patients throughout assessment, treatment, and recovery.

A key aspect of the role is developing therapeutic relationships, providing emotional support, promoting dignity and independence, and encouraging engagement in meaningful activities. Nursing Support Workers contribute to assessment and care planning by observing and reporting changes in patients’ presentation, behaviour, cognition, mood, and physical health.

Working closely with nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, psychologists, social workers, families, and carers, they help maintain a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment that promotes recovery, wellbeing, and positive outcomes for older adults.

This is a full-time post.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will primarily work within the Older Adult Mental Health Assessment Unit and may be required to work across Adult Mental Health inpatient services to meet service needs.

Key responsibilities include providing high-quality, person-centred care to older adults with mental health conditions, dementia, cognitive impairment, and complex physical health needs. The post holder will support patients with activities of daily living, therapeutic engagement, recovery-focused interventions, and meaningful activities that promote independence and wellbeing.

They will monitor and report changes in patients' mental and physical wellbeing, contributing to multidisciplinary assessments, care planning, treatment, and discharge processes. The role involves supporting patients experiencing distress, anxiety, confusion, or challenging behaviour, using compassionate, person-centred approaches and working in accordance with risk assessments, observation policies, safeguarding procedures, and individual care plans.

The post holder will help maintain a safe, therapeutic ward environment, promote dignity, equality, inclusion, and patients' rights, and develop effective relationships with patients, families, carers, and members of the multidisciplinary team.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services