Health Care Assistant

Islet Systems; Dawlish; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking Healthcare Assistants to join the Allocate on Arrival team at Langdon Hospital. This role offers flexibility with shift allocations and opportunities to gain diverse clinical experience while ensuring high-quality care. Applicants from all backgrounds are welcome, with training available. A Care Certificate is desirable, and candidates must pass a physical restraint assessment. The position operates on a permanent, full-time basis with a salary between £24,937 and £26,598 annually.

Qualifications

• Basic education required.
• Complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Report to the Nurse-in-Charge and be allocated to a ward based on service need.
• Support the delivery of high-quality care to individuals.
• Observe and report changes in mental or physical state.

Skills

Awareness of safeguarding principles

IT skills

Good communication and listening skills

Problem solving skills

Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis

Education

Basic education

Care Certificate (to be completed within 6 months)

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for Healthcare Assistants to join our new Allocate on Arrival team within the adult mental health services at Langdon Hospital. These roles are flexible and staff are allocated each shift to the area where support is most needed. The position offers experience across a variety of clinical environments and the development of a broad skill set while supporting safe, high‑quality care.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Experience is not essential – bring compassion, enthusiasm and our Trust values and we will teach you the skills you need. A Care Certificate is desirable but not essential. Apprenticeship opportunities are available for development and progression.

Our services operate 24/7, so you will work a range of shifts. Due to the nature of the role you must attend and pass a physical restraint assessment.

If you need sponsorship, please check the requirements for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) on the gov.uk website to see if you are eligible before applying.

Key Responsibilities

• Report to the Nurse-in-Charge at the start of each shift and be allocated to a ward based on service need.
• Support the delivery of high‑quality care to individuals across secure inpatient services.
• Work alongside the multidisciplinary team to meet the social, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of people using our services.
• Undertake practical procedures under the supervision of registered nursing staff.
• Assist with daily living skills and participate in therapeutic activities, group work and 1:1 sessions depending on ward allocation.
• Observe, record and report changes in mental or physical state, contributing to recovery‑focused care plans.
• Use de‑escalation skills and, when required, participate in physical interventions in line with training.
• Prioritise tasks and manage your workload throughout the shift in discussion with the Nurse‑in‑Charge.
• Maintain accurate, timely and professional records in line with Trust policy.

Essential Qualifications

• Basic education.
• Complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent agreed and signed off by the appointing manager at interview. If not, this will be a trainee position until successful completion.

Desirable Qualifications

• NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
• Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.

Essential Skills & Knowledge

• Awareness of safeguarding principles.
• IT skills.
• Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
• Good communication and listening skills.
• Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
• Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries.
• Problem solving skills.
• Able to plan work, time management, completing records and recording observations etc.
• To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
• To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
• To demonstrate an ability to provide practical support with daily living activities, and physically perform nursing duties.
• To be able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, be able to think quickly and deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner.
• To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations.

Desirable Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.

Desirable Experience

• Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties.

Working Pattern & Salary

Band 3 – £24,937 to £26,598 a year. Permanent, full‑time, flexible working. Full‑time, flexible working applications will be considered and supported where possible.

Location

Langdon Hospital, Exeter Road, Dawlish, Devon, EX1 1QA.

Application Information

Interviews will be held in person at Langdon Hospital. This advert may close early if we receive sufficient applications.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and applications are encouraged and welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010.

We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities.

Disclosure & Barring 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.

Contact & Employer Details

Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Langdon Hospital, Exeter Road, Dawlish, Devon, EX1 1QA
Website: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/