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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
364-A-9680
Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Kelvedon Ward
Town
Basildon
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum, plus HCA
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
Today at 23:59

Employer heading

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Assistant

Band 3

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

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a sufficient number of applications be received.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Healthcare Assistant to work on our Male Acute Inpatient Ward (Kelvedon Ward) at Basildon Mental Health Unit.

You will be responsible for assisting the professional team in providing care for patients in an inpatient environment. Working from time to time without direct supervision but under the supervision of qualified team member, you will implement and assist with the evaluation of individual plans of care for patients and in their management and care under the guidance of the ward manager.

You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7 day a week, 24 hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts as appropriate and as rostered.

In delivering your duties you are expected to display behaviours that are aligned with the Trust values and as required in accordance with the NHS Constitution at all times. 

Main duties of the job

Maintain  relationships with patient’s, their relatives and other carers as well as with members of the multidisciplinary team.

Implement prescribed nursing care to patients, fulfil the role of Associate/Co Worker under the supervision of a qualified nurse/clinician.

Report and record the results of implemented plans of care.

Contribute to the management and support of patients who exhibit challenging behaviour.

Assist patients with Activities of Daily Living; including personal hygiene, dietary intake etc. with due regard to the philosophy of “normalisation”

Help individuals to maintain independence from others by assisting the development of daily living, domestic, communication and social skills.

Assist qualified staff in the physical monitoring of a patient’s health,

Undertake whatever duties are necessary to maintain a safe environment free from unnecessary hazards

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all of our job roles.  If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately your application form be rejected from the process.

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.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • 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

Contribute to maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment for patient, relatives, carers and staff.

Maintain confidentiality of information according to Trust policy

Ensure that the patient’s dignity and privacy is maintained

Ensure effective communication with patient’s, carer’s, visitors and staff.

Under the direction of Qualified staff, fulfil the link roles for specified areas as required under supervision i.e. infection control, health and safety

When necessary, accompany/escort patients’ both inside and outside of the hospital as directed by senior staff

Monitor supplies of laundry, emergency clothing and toiletries

Report and document incidents as required.  Report all malfunctions, shortage and inadequacies of equipment and supplies to senior staff.

Co-operate with senior staff to report and investigate incidents such as complaints and accidents and ensure that appropriate documentation is completed.

Take part in service development and review

Ensure the service meets the agreed performance / contractual targets and adheres to local and government initiatives

Undertake and complete training relevant to the national Care Certificate competency framework

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

- Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures

 - To participate in the staff appraisal process and to undertake for any staff you manage

 - To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy

 - To provide management supervision where appropriate

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) brings together key health, care, community, and voluntary sector organisations from across our area. Our aim is to work together in partnership to join up health and care services, improving our population’s health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. One such example of this collaborative work is the launch of our HCA Academy, an ICS initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) to support the incoming Health Care assistant (HCA) workforce. The academy models a ‘one workforce’ cross system approach to the onboarding, induction, education and experience of Healthcare Assistants.

To support this ‘one workforce model’ the successful candidate for this post will be required to attend our 5 day (Monday to Friday) face to face Induction Programme at our MSE ICS Education Hub at Brentwood Community Hospital. Your start date will therefore fall on one of two of the HCA Academy induction dates across the month, which will be discussed and agreed during the recruitment process.

Our HCA Academy Induction programme has been designed to train and support the successful candidate through the early stages of their employment at EPUT and will provide opportunities to enhance skills, knowledge and experience.

Further information will be provided post interview.

This will be followed by an additional 5 day (Monday to Friday) EPUT corporate / mandatory training welcome. (EPUT Welcome will be varied between face to face and virtual delivery). 

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level 2 or Equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • NVQ Level 3 or Equivalent

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • • Experience of working in a care setting
Desirable criteria
  • • Evidence of training undertaken in one or more of the following: Health & Safety Manual Handling Resuscitation Infection Control

Skills

Essential criteria
  • • Previous experience of working in a care environment

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
Doreen Mhone
Job title
Service Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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