Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Health Care Assistant at Charlton lane Hospital. The Charlton Lane Hospital provides inpatient assessment and care for mental health service users requiring hospital admission for treatment across 3 in-patient wards: Chestnut Ward, is a 14 bedded ward for Older age Adults that have a functional mental illness; Mulberry ward, is an 18 bedded ward for older age adults that have a functional mental illness and Willow Ward, is a 16 bedded ward for predominantly older adults with an organic mental illness. It would be desirable for the post holder to have experience in caring for elderly, facilitation of positive engagement and activities with people with dementia. The successful candidate would be supported by the unit manager in taking mandatory, statutory and dementia training.Upon commencing your post, you will participate in a comprehensive trust and unit induction which ensures that you feel skilled and supported to undertake this challenging job. The posts are funded at 37.5 hours per week (full time) and could involve rotational shift system. 'Flexible' working arrangements will be considered. Any request will be set against genuine operational requirements and limitations and it is not obligatory for a manager to accede to the request. If you do not hear from us within three weeks of the closing date you have probably not been shortlisted. We are sorry we are unable to let you know the outcome of your application. Main duties of the job As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not. You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare. The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification. About us We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust. The annual NHS Staff Surveygives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust. For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views (58.5%). It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that: 89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users; 73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work; 82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority; 76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work. Date posted 21 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 327-25-042 Job locations Charlton Lane Hospital Charlton Lane Cheltenham GL53 9DZ Job description Job responsibilities To treat all patients, carers and staff with dignity and respect On a daily basis assist qualified staff in the provision of care as detailed in theindividual care plans, undertake tasks that facilitate the smooth running of the wardas directed by qualified staff and liaise with other departments to ensure the wardenvironment is safe and welcoming e.g. Hotel Services. Tasks can include; assistingwith the giving of medication and medical dressings; holding the pagers for firstresponse; preparing for admissions; escort and driving duties. This will includeextended periods without direct supervision. On a daily basis identify and provide the necessary physical care to patients to helpthem complete daily living activities i.e personal hygiene, diet and fluid intake,clothing and laundry, personal environment, maintaining rest and sleep and activity,physical observations On a daily basis initiate, co-ordinate and run ward and community based social andrecreational activities for ward patients, including individual and group activities. Thiswill include extended periods without direct supervision Undertake and accurately record physical observations e.g. temperature, pulse,blood pressure, also general and special visual observations Periodically collect fluid, sputum and faecal samples as required Ensure a range of social and recreational activities are always available in the unit /ward for patients which can be implemented by staff at other times Successfully initiate and develop rapport with patients, to enable patients to balanceperiods of activity, socialisation and rest Liaise effectively with nursing staff, multi-disciplinary teams and other allied healthprofessionals Actively participate in team handovers, providing verbal reports as required ormaking presentations to the immediate team or the wider multi-disciplinary team Frequently use interpersonal and communication skills to de-escalate and reduceaggressive behaviour if encountered from patients and carers To assist patients to utilise the banking facilities (where present) within the PatientsServices Department following Trust Guidelines e.g. complete property books, cashwithdrawal forms Implement agreed standards of care provision in line with local Ward/Unit and Trustpolicies Act in a manner to respect the customs, individuality, values, sexuality and spiritualbeliefs of all patients Maintain professional boundaries at all times Make appropriate objective written entries in patient record to ensure that these areaccurate and up to date Adhere to all legal requirements e.g. Mental Health Act, Health and Safety at WorkAct Adhere to all Trust Policies and Procedures Participate in the induction of new staff Ensure feedback is continually sought from patients to inform development ofservices Be aware of own limitations, seek support if and when the need arises Undertake all statutory and mandatory training required for the role e.g. Preventionand Management of Violence and Aggression, Positive Behaviour Management,Infection Control and to utilise those skills once trained Job description Job responsibilities To treat all patients, carers and staff with dignity and respect On a daily basis assist qualified staff in the provision of care as detailed in theindividual care plans, undertake tasks that facilitate the smooth running of the wardas directed by qualified staff and liaise with other departments to ensure the wardenvironment is safe and welcoming e.g. Hotel Services. Tasks can include; assistingwith the giving of medication and medical dressings; holding the pagers for firstresponse; preparing for admissions; escort and driving duties. This will includeextended periods without direct supervision. On a daily basis identify and provide the necessary physical care to patients to helpthem complete daily living activities i.e personal hygiene, diet and fluid intake,clothing and laundry, personal environment, maintaining rest and sleep and activity,physical observations On a daily basis initiate, co-ordinate and run ward and community based social andrecreational activities for ward patients, including individual and group activities. Thiswill include extended periods without direct supervision Undertake and accurately record physical observations e.g. temperature, pulse,blood pressure, also general and special visual observations Periodically collect fluid, sputum and faecal samples as required Ensure a range of social and recreational activities are always available in the unit /ward for patients which can be implemented by staff at other times Successfully initiate and develop rapport with patients, to enable patients to balanceperiods of activity, socialisation and rest Liaise effectively with nursing staff, multi-disciplinary teams and other allied healthprofessionals Actively participate in team handovers, providing verbal reports as required ormaking presentations to the immediate team or the wider multi-disciplinary team Frequently use interpersonal and communication skills to de-escalate and reduceaggressive behaviour if encountered from patients and carers To assist patients to utilise the banking facilities (where present) within the PatientsServices Department following Trust Guidelines e.g. complete property books, cashwithdrawal forms Implement agreed standards of care provision in line with local Ward/Unit and Trustpolicies Act in a manner to respect the customs, individuality, values, sexuality and spiritualbeliefs of all patients Maintain professional boundaries at all times Make appropriate objective written entries in patient record to ensure that these areaccurate and up to date Adhere to all legal requirements e.g. Mental Health Act, Health and Safety at WorkAct Adhere to all Trust Policies and Procedures Participate in the induction of new staff Ensure feedback is continually sought from patients to inform development ofservices Be aware of own limitations, seek support if and when the need arises Undertake all statutory and mandatory training required for the role e.g. Preventionand Management of Violence and Aggression, Positive Behaviour Management,Infection Control and to utilise those skills once trained Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS Essential NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of competency based training in a relevant health or social care area Desirable European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) LENGTH AND / OR NATURE OF EXPERIENCE Essential Significant experience of working in a mental health or social care setting Significant experience of working in a team and independently Experience in the assessment of patients Desirable Experience of lone working and decision making Experience of providing social and recreational activities PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL / SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE Essential Knowledge of mental illness or learning disabilities and its impact on the Individual Knowledge of how mental illness has an impact on motivation, social skills and activities and on the individual and their families Knowledge and understanding of risk assessment and management obtained through formal in-house training course Knowledge and understanding of the Care Pathway Approach (CPA) Awareness of issues surrounding diversity and anti-discriminatory practice Understanding of the basic principles of Infection Control Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS Essential NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of competency based training in a relevant health or social care area Desirable European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) LENGTH AND / OR NATURE OF EXPERIENCE Essential Significant experience of working in a mental health or social care setting Significant experience of working in a team and independently Experience in the assessment of patients Desirable Experience of lone working and decision making Experience of providing social and recreational activities PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL / SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE Essential Knowledge of mental illness or learning disabilities and its impact on the Individual Knowledge of how mental illness has an impact on motivation, social skills and activities and on the individual and their families Knowledge and understanding of risk assessment and management obtained through formal in-house training course Knowledge and understanding of the Care Pathway Approach (CPA) Awareness of issues surrounding diversity and anti-discriminatory practice Understanding of the basic principles of Infection Control Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust Address Charlton Lane Hospital Charlton Lane Cheltenham GL53 9DZ Employer's website https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/who-we-are/jobs/ (Opens in a new tab)