Job role: Health Care Assistant
Company name: NHS Jobs
Salary: £24,071.00 to £25,674.00 per year
Job Reference: C9310-24-1292
Read also: Health Care Assistant needed in NHS Jobs
About the Job:
The Darwin Centre for Young People is a Tier 4 adolescent inpatient unit based in Cambridge. The unit offers assessment and treatment to young people, aged 13-17 (until 18th birthday), experiencing psychiatric, emotional or psychological problems that interfere with their social, interpersonal and educational functioning.
We are looking for applicants with experience of CAMHS, or equivalent in other mental health fields, who would like to take a more senior role within the HCA team.
Main duties of the job
- To work in support of qualified nurses and other health care professionals Carries out assigned tasks involving direct care in support of, and supervised by, a registered nurse/Occupational Therapist.
- Will be involved in the delivery and coordination of ward activities.
- Will work a 24 hour rotational shift pattern
- The job includes listening and talking to patients/relatives/carers, observing patients behaviour, providing close observation to ensure patient safety (one to one), encouraging them with eating, drinking, personal hygiene. Involving them in diversional activities, escorting patients out of the unit, dealing with anger (explanations, negotiation and de-escalation), assisting in the management of violent episodes, helping in the administration of medication.
About us
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.
Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities
- The post holder will communicate with a range of professional staff, patients, carers and relatives and external agencies as appropriate.
- The Health Care Assistant/Activity Support Worker is a member of the clinical team and plays a contributory role in facilitating the health and well-being of the patients which may include: Recognising the individuality of the patient and help to meet his or her social, emotional and intellectual needs.
- Will be involved in the delivery and coordination of ward activities
- Ensuring that basic physical needs are met, such as adequate diet, hygiene, warmth, comfort and safety.
- Assisting in planned treatments in accordance with the multi-disciplinary team approach.
- Providing and receiving routine information to assist in undertaking own job.
- Health Care and Activity duties required to be undertaken under the direction and/or supervision of a qualified nurse/Occupational Therapist in line with care plans.
- Performing procedures only after instruction.
- Developing communication skills with patients/carers and relatives.
- Maintaining open communication with staff and other professionals.
- Encouraging and assisting patients to participate in group and individual therapeutic activities.
Person Specification
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Compassionate – Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic
- Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients.
- Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records.
- High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
Desirable
- Ability to be involved in the safe restraint of patients after training.
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Must be willing to work towards NVQ level 3 in direct care or Certificate in Care if not already held.
Desirable
- Training and experience e.g. lifting, first aid, food handling, care work
- Related healthcare interests or education
Experience
Essential
- Ability to think quickly and manage challenging situations in a calm and sensible manner.
- Self awareness of your own behaviour and the effect this can have on others around you.
- Open to guidance and instruction from team members.
- Experience of working with people e.g. in a caring situation, dealing with the general public.
Desirable
- Experience of mental health difficulties.
- Previous experience of working in mental health services.
- Basic understanding of Recovery Model, issues of dignity and privacy
- Basic understanding of risk
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- Awareness of safeguarding issues
- Awareness of the Challenges which occur during the adolescent period.
Desirable
- Basic understanding of legislation relating to care including Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Children’s Act, Equality Act 2010, Health & Safety Act, Data Protection Act, Knowledge of NICE guidance
Personal
Essential
- Compassionate – Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect. Intuitive and caring nature.
- To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion
- Ability to inspire hope, support recovery and make a difference.
Desirable
- The ability to be firm/assertive without being punitive
Physical Requirements
Essential
- Ability to carry out physical interventions, physically able to undertake a demanding role safely, as, and when required
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.
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