Job overview

Are you seeking a rewarding career in mental health?

Do you have experience working with children?

We are looking for Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) to join our energetic, friendly, supportive and caring team at the Highfield Unit on a full time basis.

HCAs are crucial to the running of our Mental Health Unit. They work alongside nurses, doctors, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, family therapists, and dieticians to provide 24/7 compassionate care to young people admitted to the our ward.

The Highfield unit is a purpose-built, tier 4, inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services unit. We are a multidisciplinary team offering inpatient and day patient admission for young people with acute mental health problems.

We provide care for young people with a range of difficulties including eating disorders, anxiety OCD, depression and bipolar mood disorders, unusual experiences and psychosis, trauma, self-harm, and relationship and attachment-based difficulties. Families are often contending with multiple and complex psycho-social difficulties, and we aim to take a holistic approach guided by evidence and best-practice.

We're seeking individuals who are compassionate and enthusiastic, who are able to work collaboratively with our service users and family during an acute phase of a young person's illness.

*Interviews will be conducted on a face to face basis to allow for a site visit and young person's interview - you will need to be available for this*

Main duties of the job

Our CAMHS services are staffed by full multi-disciplinary teams including nurses, doctors, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists, and supported by a variety of other professional colleagues.

As a Healthcare Assistant you’ll contribute and participate in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of care and treatment for people within a healthcare or community setting. You’ll play a vital role in improving patients’ wellbeing.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Personal Care: Assisting patients with daily activities like washing, dressing, and eating.
• Patient Monitoring: Keeping an eye on patient conditions to ensure their comfort and safety.
• Ward Environment: Helping to maintain a clean, welcoming, and safe environment on the ward.
• Communication: Interacting with patients and their families to provide reassurance and support.

Working for our organisation

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible 

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”

Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team