Healthcare Assistant

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Basildon; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A public healthcare organization in Basildon is seeking a Healthcare Assistant for the Male Acute Inpatient Ward. The role involves providing essential care for patients, assisting qualified team members, and ensuring a safe environment. Candidates should have relevant training or experience in a care setting and be able to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team. The position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive training, and opportunities for professional development, making it an excellent opportunity for those passionate about patient care.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Excellent pension scheme

Staff discounts and benefits

Relocation package available

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate compassion and commitment to patient care.
• Ability to work well within a multidisciplinary team.
• Must complete mandatory training.

Responsibilities

• Assist the professional team in providing care for patients.
• Implement and assist with the evaluation of individual care plans.
• Maintain relationships with patients and their families.

Skills

Experience of working in a care setting

Previous experience of working in a care environment

Education

NVQ Level 2 or Equivalent

NVQ Level 3 or Equivalent

Job description

Go back Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 15 January 2026

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a sufficient number of applications be received.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Healthcare Assistant to work on our Male Acute Inpatient Ward (Kelvedon Ward) at Basildon Mental Health Unit.

You will be responsible for assisting the professional team in providing care for patients in an inpatient environment. Working from time to time without direct supervision but under the supervision of a qualified team member, you will implement and assist with the evaluation of individual plans of care for patients and in their management and care under the guidance of the ward manager.

You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7 day a week, 24 hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts as appropriate and as rostered.

In delivering your duties you are expected to display behaviours that are aligned with the Trust values and as required in accordance with the NHS Constitution at all times.

Main duties of the job

Maintain relationships with patient's, their relatives and other carers as well as with members of the multidisciplinary team.

Implement prescribed nursing care to patients, fulfil the role of Associate/Co Worker under the supervision of a qualified nurse/clinician.

Report and record the results of implemented plans of care.

Contribute to the management and support of patients who exhibit challenging behaviour.

Assist patients with Activities of Daily Living; including personal hygiene, dietary intake etc. with due regard to the philosophy of "normalisation"

Help individuals to maintain independence from others by assisting the development of daily living, domestic, communication and social skills.

Assist qualified staff in the physical monitoring of a patient's health,

Undertake whatever duties are necessary to maintain a safe environment free from unnecessary hazards

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all of our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately your application form be rejected from the process.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Job responsibilities

Contribute to maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment for patient, relatives, carers and staff.

Maintain confidentiality of information according to Trust policy

Ensure that the patients dignity and privacy is maintained

Ensure effective communication with patients, carers, visitors and staff.

Under the direction of Qualified staff, fulfil the link roles for specified areas as required under supervision i.e. infection control, health and safety

When necessary, accompany/escort patients both inside and outside of the hospital as directed by senior staff

Monitor supplies of laundry, emergency clothing and toiletries

Report and document incidents as required. Report all malfunctions, shortage and inadequacies of equipment and supplies to senior staff.

Co‑operate with senior staff to report and investigate incidents such as complaints and accidents and ensure that appropriate documentation is completed.

Take part in service development and review

Ensure the service meets the agreed performance / contractual targets and adheres to local and government initiatives

Undertake and complete training relevant to the national Care Certificate competency framework

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

- Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures

- To participate in the staff appraisal process and to undertake for any staff you manage

- To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy

- To provide management supervision where appropriate

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) brings together key health, care, community, and voluntary sector organisations from across our area. Our aim is to work together in partnership to join up health and care services, improving our populations health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. One such example of this collaborative work is the launch of our HCA Academy, an ICS initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) to support the incoming Health Care assistant (HCA) workforce. The academy models a one workforce cross system approach to the onboarding, induction, education and experience of Healthcare Assistants.

To support this one workforce model the successful candidate for this post will be required to attend our5 day (Monday to Friday) face to face Induction Programme at our MSE ICS Education Hub at Brentwood Community Hospital. Your start date will therefore fall on one of two of the HCA Academy induction dates across the month, which will be discussed and agreed during the recruitment process.

Our HCA Academy Induction programme has been designed to train and support the successful candidate through the early stages of their employment at EPUT and will provide opportunities to enhance skills, knowledge and experience.

Further information will be provided post interview.

This will be followed by an additional 5 day (Monday to Friday) EPUT corporate / mandatory training welcome. (EPUT Welcome will be varied between face to face and virtual delivery).

Person Specification

Education

• NVQ Level 2 or Equivalent
• NVQ Level 3 or Equivalent

Knowledge

• oExperience of working in a care setting
• oEvidence of training undertaken in one or more of the following: Health & Safety Manual Handling Resuscitation Infection Control

Skills

• oPrevious experience of working in a care environment

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.

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kelvedon Ward

Basildon Mental Health Unit, Nethermayne

£24,937 to £26,598 a yearper annum, plus HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364‑A‑9680

Job locations

Kelvedon Ward

Basildon Mental Health Unit, Nethermayne