Health Care Support Worker

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust seeks a dedicated professional to support nurse-led Physical Health, Clozapine and Depot Clinics in Watford ACMHS. The role focuses on physical health monitoring, venepuncture, and holistic assessments, with home visits where appropriate to promote recovery and reduce health inequalities.

Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will maintain high-quality records, contribute to quality improvement, and participate in ongoing

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel across the Trust locations.
• NVQ/Mental Health Certificate Level 2 or equivalent.
• Commitment to Continuing Personal Development.
• Educated to GCSE (Maths and English) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Carry out physical health assessments and monitoring.
• Perform venepuncture and physiological observations.
• Provide health education and promote healthy lifestyles.
• Support clinic-based and home-visit care for service users.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in line with Trust policies.

Skills

Driving licence

Excellent communication

Teamwork

Holistic assessment

Education

NVQ/Mental Health Certificate Level 2

GCE/GCSE Maths & English

Educated to GCSE level

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of people living with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) by improving their physical health and overall wellbeing. The post holder will support the delivery of nurse-led Physical Health, Clozapine and Depot Clinics, undertaking physical health monitoring, venepuncture and holistic assessments of physical, mental health and social care needs. They will work collaboratively with service users to promote healthier lifestyles, provide health education, support personalised goal setting and improve access to physical healthcare services. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will contribute to coordinated, person-centred care through clinic-based and community-based interventions, including home visits where appropriate. They will help identify and address health inequalities, support the achievement of physical health targets and contribute to service development, audit and quality improvement initiatives., This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking community mental health service and play a key role in improving the physical health and wellbeing of people living with Severe Mental Illness (SMI). Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will support the delivery and ongoing development of nurse-led Physical Health, Clozapine and Depot Clinics across Watford ACMHS. The post holder will undertake a range of clinical and non-clinical duties that contribute to the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care. This will include carrying out physical health assessments, venepuncture, physiological observations, health promotion interventions and holistic assessments of service users' physical, mental health and social care needs. The role will focus on identifying health risks, reducing health inequalities and supporting individuals to achieve positive and sustainable health outcomes. The post holder will work collaboratively with service users, carers, primary care services, community mental health teams and partner organisations to ensure that physical health, mental health and social care needs are recognised and addressed through a coordinated approach to care. They will support service users to identify personal health goals, improve health literacy and access appropriate services and interventions. A significant element of the role involves supporting the effective delivery of clinics and community-based interventions for a large cohort of service users attending Watford ACMHS. This includes undertaking clinic appointments and home visits, monitoring service user wellbeing, recognising deterioration or emerging risks, and escalating concerns appropriately within the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will be responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records and physical health documentation using Trust electronic systems, ensuring that information is recorded, communicated and shared in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards. The role will contribute to the achievement of key physical health performance indicators, service audits, quality improvement initiatives and service development projects. The post holder will actively participate in training, supervision and ongoing professional development, while also supporting the induction and development of colleagues where appropriate. This position offers the opportunity to be part of an innovative service that is committed to improving health outcomes, promoting recovery and reducing the significant health inequalities experienced by people living with severe mental illness. Through compassionate, holistic and proactive care, the post holder will make a meaningful difference to the lives of service users and contribute to the continued success and development of physical health services within Watford ACMHS.

The role requires excellent communication and organisational skills, a commitment to high standards of clinical record keeping, and a passion for improving outcomes for people with complex mental health needs.

Essential Requirement

• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel independently across the Trust, including between service locations and service user visits, as required by the role (unless prevented from doing so by a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010)., NVQ level 3 qualification or mental health certificate level 3 or agreement to undertake such training as soon as resources permit
• NVQ/Mental Health Certificate Level 2
• Commitment to Continuing Personal Development
• Educated to GCE/GCSE or equivalent (Maths and English)

Desirable criteria

• Training in physical health care assessment and interventions
• Venepuncture training, Significant experience of providing mental health or health and social care services from within a team setting, which may be combined with personal lived experience of mental health difficulties
• Good written and verbal communication skills and the ability to listen effectively
• Understanding of the Care Act
• Empathy, compassion, and patience
• Ability to create innovative solutions to help empower service users
• Ability to work unsupervised in a range of settings
• Ability to form positive therapeutic relationships with service users and carers
• A keenness to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of life for people with mental health problems
• Ability to use structured therapeutic skills, such as solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing or a commitment to acquiring such skills
• Ability to acknowledge diversity and promote anti-discriminatory practice/equal opportunities
• Ability to provide practical support with daily living activities
• An ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging behaviour
• Basic health and safety awareness
• Moving and handling awareness
• Awareness of local services and ability to liaise with different services/teams
• Basic knowledge of benefits/employment systems
• A basic understanding of the mental health system

Desirable criteria

• Ability to supervise/ mentor others, Ability to develop trusting relationships with management staff and work effectively in partnership with them
• Ability to convey complex information in a clear and concise format
• Effective report writing skills
• Effective presentation skills

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout