Main area: Mental Health
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Working over a 24 hour period of long days, nights and weekends)
Job ref: 311-O638-25
Employer: Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Cedars Ward, Parklands House
Town: Oldham
Salary: £24,071 - £25,674 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 02/04/2025 23:59
Health Care Support Worker
NHS AfC: Band 3
If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our #PennineCarePeople.
Cedars ward is a 10 bedded older persons, male acute ward providing support and care for people over the age of 65 years old living with dementia or other organic mental illness.
Health care support workers play a vital role in delivering care to our patients. They have the most direct patient contact out of staff on the ward and engage with the patients on a 1-1 basis or in groups. The role of the health care support worker is broad and varied one. Working amongst a wider team of professionals enables individuals to learn from one another and contribute to providing high levels of care. This role includes working both day and night shifts.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities of the Post:
* Provide Safe and Effective Care
* Treat patients as individuals
* Engage patients in their own care
* Strive to provide an outstanding service
* Be clear about the ward vision and the role that the Nursing Assistant plays within the team
* Engage in learning and development
* Contribute to growth through regular supervision and annual appraisal
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
* To assist the qualified staff, as required in the delivery of care.
* To work as a member of the team with the support and supervision of a registered nurse and in line with the policies and procedures agreed by Pennine Care NHS Trust.
* To ensure the promotion of safety, wellbeing and interests of clients, staff and visitors to the ward.
* To provide personal care to patients in accordance with their individualised care plan in a respectful manner, showing proper regard to their right to privacy and dignity.
* Provide input to care plan discussions with a qualified practitioner where requested, using knowledge of patient and environment.
* To assist patients in the maintenance of adequate nutrition and hydration, where necessary using a therapeutic approach and following a detailed care plan.
* Under direction and agreement of a qualified practitioner the postholder will independently undertake escort duty with patients, including where the patients have been risk assessed or might present with more complex needs.
* To carry out duties as allocated by a qualified practitioner.
* Engage with patients to undertake activities and carry out duties that have been agreed with a qualified practitioner and follow a care plan.
* To complete patient monitoring charts in relation to e.g. weight, input/output of diet and fluids, observation, responding etc.
* To undertake and record clinical observations (e.g temperature, pulse, blood pressure) as required and instructed with access to supervision from a qualified member of staff.
* To undertake and record therapeutic observations in accordance with the Trust’s Observation & Engagement Policy (for example general, 1:1 and 2:1 observations) as required and instructed with access to supervision from a qualified member of staff.
* To have a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and to be aware of relevant MHA information when carrying out observations.
* Demonstrate good interpersonal skills and a positive attitude within the team and when dealing with the patients, their families and members of the public.
* To contribute to maintaining the ward’s agreed philosophy, aims and objectives.
* To participate in the maintenance of the ward environment to ensure cleanliness, tidiness, in accordance with information policy.
* To accurately document nursing care in the nursing notes when required which will then be countersigned by a qualified practitioner.
* Understand and monitor the ward environment engaging with patients to de-stimulate and reduce potential for escalation as needed.
* Will be frequently exposed to physically and verbally aggressive challenging behaviours and expected to initiate de-escalation techniques in potentially harmful or challenging situations.
* To communicate effectively with patients, staff, families and other external agencies and use a polite telephone manner.
* To ensure effective communication, either verbal or written is carried out amongst the team and by reporting any change or unusual occurrence in an individual’s behaviour or condition to the registered nurse.
* To assist in the safekeeping of patients property and clothing as required.
* To participate in staff support groups and clinical supervision.
* To work as part of the ward team, promoting high standards of care.
* To understand the importance of the need for confidentiality in all patient matters, and in accordance with the GDPR and Trust policy.
* To comply with Trust policy and management instruction with regard to health and safety and to fire prevention.
* To have a responsibility to be aware of and report safeguarding concerns to a senior nurse and record in notes where required.
* To be flexible to meet the needs of the unit.
* To be willing to undertake a full range of shifts as per the requirements of the service.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
* 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 willingness to complete
* PMVA training or willingness and ability to complete upon appointment
* Short courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties
Experience
* Previous experience of working in a care setting.
* 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 health.
* Experience of using electronic patient notes and records, or willingness to undertake training.
Knowledge
* Some Awareness of Mental Health and Mental Illness.
* Some awareness of early prevention of violence and aggression using least restrictive interventions and practices.
* Able to recognise changes in a patient’s mental and physical condition and act appropriately.
* Awareness of professional boundaries within the health care setting.
* Understanding of emotional intelligence and reflective practice.
* Awareness of safeguarding considerations around children and vulnerable adults.
Skills and abilities
* Can demonstrate good interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to utilise communication skills to deescalate people who are angry or distressed.
* Ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
* Ability to keep confidential information, and awareness of Data Protection and GDPR.
* Commitment to self-development, ability to treat people with respect and dignity.
Sponsorship - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship.
What happens after your application has been received?
You will be informed about the progress of your application following shortlisting via email. Only applicants who clearly demonstrate the criteria listed in the person specification will be shortlisted for interview.
What happens if I am offered the position after interview?
The hiring manager will make contact with you to verbally offer you the position. The hiring manager will then inform Recruitment of the decision and provide relevant paperwork. You will be sent a formal conditional offer via email.
What pre-employment checks will I need to complete?
By conducting pre-employment checks, the recruitment team will verify that you meet the pre-conditions of the role you have been offered.
Other important information
* We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and recognise the importance of ensuring our diverse service user population is reflected within our workforce.
* If you would like to be considered under the disability confident scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria on the person specification for the post.
* If you require reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process please phone us on 0161 716 3181 at the earliest opportunity.
This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time. The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process.
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