Skip to main content
Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Full time and part time available)
Job ref
311-T674-26-B
Employer
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Tameside General Hosptial
Town
Tameside
Salary
£25,760 - £27,476 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
18/09/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Support Worker - Walkerwood Unit (Male PICU)

NHS AfC: Band 3

 

If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our #PennineCarePeople

https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/values

 

Job overview

Click here for information about Walkerwood

Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives?

Join our dedicated team at Walkerwood Unit as a Health Care Support Worker on our purpose built unit. 

What we offer

  • Career development
  • Mentoring and coaching opportunities to support your growth
  • Flexible working options to support your work-life balance
  • Comprehensive staff wellbeing service
  • Generous NHS pension scheme and staff benefits package
  • A Trust-wide commitment to diversity, inclusion and psychological safety

As a Health Care Support Worker, you will be an essential part of our team, providing compassionate care and support to our patients. You'll work closely with our qualified nursing staff to deliver high-quality care and help establish care plans.

This role is perfect for someone who is empathetic, dedicated, and eager to contribute to the well-being of our patients.

  • You’ll be working alongside dedicated multidisciplinary teams, using your skills to deliver person-centred care in line with our values of kindness, fairness, ingenuity and determination.

 

Main duties of the job

  • Engage with Patients: Build meaningful relationships with patients and their carers, providing emotional support and effective communication.
  • Document Care: Accurately record observations and nursing care in line with Trust policies, using Electronic Patient Records (EPR) or PARIS.
  • Promote Safety: Ensure the safety, well-being, and interests of clients, staff, and visitors.
  • Assist with Personal Care: Help patients with personal hygiene, bathing, toileting, and dressing, always respecting their privacy and dignity.
  • Support at Mealtimes: Assist patients with their meals, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition and hydration.
  • Mentor New Staff: Act as a role model and mentor for new Health Care Support Workers, supporting them in completing their Care Certificate.
  • Clinical Observations: Undertake and report clinical observations, therapeutic observation
  • Maintain Cleanliness: Participate in maintaining a clean, tidy, and safe ward environment, adhering to infection control policies.
  • Professional Development: Engage in mandatory training and take responsibility for your personal development

Working for our organisation

Why choose Pennine Care?

  • Top mental health trust to work for in the North of England – NHS Staff Survey 2024
  • A culture that supports professional autonomy and values nursing leadership
  • A clear commitment to safe staffing levels and quality patient care
  • A forward-thinking Trust focused on creating the conditions for great nursing care to thrive
  • A genuinely supportive environment where your skills and compassion are recognised

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSE (or equivalent level of education) with grade D/E (2/3) or above in English and Maths or functional skills level 1.
  • Vocational (or equivalent) Qualification at level 3 in Care or demonstrable equivalent relevant experience to this level
  • Completion of Care Certificate or commitment to complete
  • PMVA training or willingness and ability to complete upon appointment
  • Short courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties
Desirable criteria
  • Assessor in CC

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with diverse groups of people developing a range of basic care skills.
  • Previous experience of working in a care setting as a nursing assistant/healthcare support worker developing competencies in basic clinical care
  • Experience of being able to plan and prioritise own work under the direction of a qualified member of staff
  • Experience of how to build up trust and rapport with people
  • Previous experience with people with Mental Health or Learning Disabilities or experience in a clinical setting related to mental heath
  • Experience of carrying out clinical observations
  • Range of work procedures and practices, base level of theoretical knowledge

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation
  • Awareness of Mental Health and Mental Illness, its effects on the individual, family and friends. Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act with willingness to learn
  • Awareness of the effects of illicit drug use.
  • Some awareness of early prevention of violence and aggression using least restrictive interventions and practices with willingness to undertake & complete PMVA training and engage in techniques as required
  • Willing and able to undertake and complete the required PMVA training and engage in techniques as required, with a commitment to maintain skills in practice and attend regular update training
  • Able to recognise changes in a patient’s mental and physical condition and act appropriately by alerting the qualified practitioner or nurse in charge
  • An awareness of stigma and discrimination of people with mental health issues
  • Awareness of ward procedures and clinical observations

Skills and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Basic IT skills – ability to use MS outlook, word, and willing and able to be trained to use Trust IT systems and applications such as Electronic Patient Records or PARIS
  • Able to impart knowledge, supervise and direct the work of others under supervision.
  • Can demonstrate good interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
  • Good command of the English language both written and in spoken word
  • Ability to engage with people who are experiencing mental ill health and communication barriers.
  • Able to respond sensitively to emotional distress and utilise communication skills to deescalate people who are angry or distressed
  • Ability to remain calm in challenging situations displaying patience and empathy
  • Ability to keep confidential information, and awareness of Data Protection and GDPR.
Desirable criteria
  • Good organisational skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareNo smoking policyDisability confident employerNorth West BAME

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
Emily Kerr
Job title
Unit Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0161 716 2066
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies