Healthcare Support Worker - HMP Send

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Greater London is seeking a motivated Healthcare Support Worker to join their Health & Justice team at HMP Send. The role involves providing high-quality healthcare to patients in secure environments, assisting trained staff, and supporting patient needs in a multidisciplinary context. Candidates should possess strong communication skills, be willing to undertake further training, and have experience in customer-focused settings. This position is essential for promoting health and well-being in the community.

Benefits

Health and wellbeing services

Cycle-to-work scheme

Free on-site leisure facilities

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake Care Certificate and further training.
• Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and its impact.
• Spoken and written English to a standard sufficient for the job.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing nursing care and support patients' healthcare needs.
• Document patient interactions and observations.
• Work under the supervision of Registered Professionals.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Numeracy and literacy skills

Ability to work independently

Teamwork

Education

Numeracy and literacy skills

Relevant Level 3 qualification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Job Overview

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is a Top Employer Award Winner and works in partnership to provide responsive and dependable primary care, mental health, intellectual disability and substance misuse services to the diverse and culturally rich communities we serve.

We are looking to recruit a highly motivated, innovative and enthusiastic Healthcare Support Worker to join our forward‑thinking, friendly and expanding Health & Justice team at HMP Send.

By joining our Prisons Health Care Team, you will look after the healthcare needs of patients in secure environments and have a real impact on promoting health and well‑being. Our services work on a 7‑day week model to ensure patient care is managed and maintained to the highest standards at all times.

Our motto is “Caring NOT Judging”. Working in partnership with the criminal justice system and other agencies, we provide responsive, dependable and high‑quality primary care and mental health services to those who may have offended or are at risk of offending, improving their health status and encouraging social inclusion.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

Assist other members of the team to ensure a high standard of nursing care. Provide direct physical care to a designated group of patients through participation in the care planning, provision and evaluation of patients’ needs under the supervision of trained staff. Support and supervise junior staff in the provision of care.

Quality of Care & Patient Safety

• Work under the direction and supervision of Registered Professionals.
• Work to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England (Skills for Health 2013).
• Act as Allocated Nurse, observe and interact with patients and document as required in the nursing notes.
• Recognise and respect patients as individuals with the same rights, needs and emotions as everyone else, promoting dignity and self‑esteem at all times.
• Safeguard patients by recognising and responding when an adult or child might be at risk from abuse and by escalating concerns when necessary.
• Ensure patients make informed decisions whenever possible based on open and honest dialogue, and ensure patient choices are respected.
• Assist qualified staff in the assessment of patients’ needs and implementation of individual care plans.
• Become proficient in venepuncture, smoking cessation, health promotion.
• Participate in group activities, run clinics and facilitate complex case management.
• Maintain accurate, legible, comprehensive records of physical observations such as weight, temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure; report significant findings to the nurse in charge.
• Escort patients as required with due regard to safety and security.
• Participate in observation of patients as per Trust Policy as required.
• Participate in supervision and appraisal processes to enable reflection and personal development.
• Be open and transparent about own practice and identify areas for improvement in safety or quality.
• Work closely with others to improve services and maintain compliance with mandatory training requirements.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Willingness to undertake Care Certificate and further training as required.
• Ability to understand and implement the Equal Opportunities Policy, including anti‑discriminatory and anti‑racist practices.
• Commitment to the 7‑day a week service model.
• Effective communication with the multi‑disciplinary team and use of handover procedures.
• Maintaining accurate, timely, concise and legible clinical records both electronic and handwritten.
• Use of Microsoft Word for drafting letters and reports.
• Adherence to the Code of Conduct for Health Care and Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England.
• Ability to work independently under own initiative while following directions of care plans and Band 4 staff or registered nurses.
• Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and their impact on work.
• Strong interpersonal skills – kind, considerate, reliable and enthusiastic.
• Experience working with a multidisciplinary team, with the general public, in a fast‑paced and customer‑focused environment.
• Numeracy and literacy skills required to keep accurate records and administer medicines (if appropriate).
• Spoken and written English to a standard sufficient to fulfil the job requirements.

Desirable Criteria

• Basic knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983.
• Healthcare/NHS or similar experience in community or hospital settings.
• Volunteer sector experience and/or experience in a caring role.
• Experience within offender care/secure care setting.
• Experience in a mental health setting or working with adults suffering from mental health problems.
• Experience in secondary care/ward setting.
• Relevant Level 3 qualification – e.g. advanced apprenticeship, A‑levels, T‑levels, NVQ.
• Care Certificate – supported to complete within 3 months if not achieved elsewhere.
• Venepuncture, patient assessments and observations, smoking cessation level 1 or 2.

Education and Qualifications

Essential:

• Numeracy and literacy skills to keep accurate records and administer medicines if appropriate.
• Spoken and written English to an appropriate standard.

Desirable:

• Relevant Level 3 qualification as listed above.
• Care Certificate if not already achieved.
• Additional technical qualifications such as venepuncture or smoking cessation.

Benefits and Development

• Monthly supervision and annual personal development plans/appraisals.
• Access to internal and external training opportunities, including the Preceptorship Programme and support with revalidation.
• Hidden Gem and annual award ceremonies.
• Health and wellbeing services, season ticket loans, cycle‑to‑work scheme and relocation package.
• MyTrustBenefits portal with over 1,400 discounts for staff, families and friends.
• Free use of onsite leisure facilities and free parking at all sites in Surrey.