Job summary
- Main area
- Mental Health
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 354-AB-21068-A
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Mill View Hospital
- Town
- Hove
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 pa / pro rata for part time
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 05/08/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Healthcare 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 tools like AI are becoming part of everyday life and you may choose to use them when preparing your application. We welcome this, as long as what you submit reflects your own experience, skills and voice. AI can be helpful for structuring or refining your answers, but it should not replace your own examples or create content that isn’t based on your real experience.
Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you, and we’ll explore your examples further at interview, so it’s important your application genuinely represents what you bring. You can read more about using AI in applications and interviews on our recruitment process page.
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 team on Palmeira Ward, our new female acute ward at Mill View Hospital.
The ward will provide 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.
The ward is a female acute ward, supporting 13 patients. We are passionate about least restrictive practice and implementing new projects on the ward. We are an energetic and motivated team and you will be 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 and part time healthcare assistants to work a variety of shifts, although we will also consider part time/flexible working patterns for the right candidate. 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:
Long 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
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Good communication skills
Desirable criteria
- NVQ Level 2 in Care
- Experience of working within a health or social care setting
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jack Melling
- Job title
- Ward Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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