Mental Health Support Worker - BankBand 3

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust; Carshalton; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based healthcare provider is seeking Mental Health Support Workers to provide compassionate care to patients experiencing mental health conditions. Candidates must have at least 1 year of experience, a Care Certificate, and compliance with Seni Lewis Law restraint training. This is a flexible role that offers the opportunity to work within a collaborative team in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Training and development opportunities

London high cost area supplement

Qualifications

• Right to Work in the UK.
• 12 months experience in a Mental Health setting.
• Experience working as a healthcare assistant.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care and support to patients.
• Deliver therapeutic interventions to reduce agitation.
• Engage with patients experiencing psychological distress.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Teamwork

Education

Care Certificate

Training in safe physical interventions

NVQ III in Health care or equivalent

Job description

Job overview

Epsom & St Helier Staff Bank is looking to grow its team of Mental Health Support Workers who have 1 year experience in a mental health setting, have a Care Certificate & have Seni Lewis Law compliant restraint training. If you are interested and available please apply today – we are looking forward to hearing from you!

Please note we are only currently shortlisting & interviewing staff with a Care Certificate & in‑date annual Seni Lewis Law compliant Restraint training – both of these certificates will need to be provided prior to interview so please have these available to send when you apply.

Working on our bank allows you to work flexibly whilst also allowing you to be part of one amazing team. We are a growing and changing organisation, and are looking for new team members to work with us during this time of change.

The role of a MHSW is a very privileged role, you will provide personal care and support to patients at their most vulnerable times. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team to provide a compassionate, caring and safe environment for our patients.

Main duties of the job

Mandatory Requirements for this role include :

• Min. 1 yr experience in a Mental Health setting
• In receipt of the Care Certificate
• Restraint training – Seni Lewis Law Compliant

JOB SUMMARY

Providing enhanced care and continuous observations to patients with mental health conditions or patients experiencing psychological distress. Deliver therapeutic interventions that will reduce agitation and distress and promote recovery. To identify factors that increase and decrease agitation / distress for the patient. To always deliver care according to the principles of least restriction.

Carrying out assigned tasks as part of clinical team in support of registered nurses and to undertake some aspects of care provision without direct supervision. Ensuring the safety and well‑being of service users, and always working in a manner that promotes dignity and human rights through the adoption of person‑centred care principles.

Working for our organisation

"At Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, above all we value respect. We put respect at the heart of all we do, by living up to our shared behaviours of kindness, professionalism, positivity and teamwork. This enables us to provide great patient care and make ESTH a great place to work. When you sign up to work with us, you sign up to this and we welcome applicants who share our values."

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To therapeutically engage with patients who have a mental health condition or are experiencing psychological distress.

To always deliver care in accordance with the principles of least restriction and in line with national guidance including NICE guidelines for managing disturbed behaviour.

To understand continuous risk assessment of the patient and escalated any increase in risk.

To identify when patients are experiencing anxiety / distress and therapeutically engage with them to alleviate these symptoms.

To identify escalation of risk and actively de‑escalate the situation.

To undertake therapeutic activities with the patient, that are appropriate to their presentation.

To identify an issue that prevents the therapeutic engagement of the patient.

Provide excellent customer care skills to ensure patients come first.

Undertakes a range of delegated clinical care duties to deliver agreed plans of care, acting on own initiative.

To ensure that patients receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.

Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.

To act as an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient‑orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.

Provides support and assistance to professionals in the implementation of plans of care for individual patients.

Assist with fluid and dietary needs of patients including completion of menu cards and recording intake and output of fluids and solids.

As directed to collect specimens from patients and to record routine observations of weight, blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiratory rate. Report any abnormalities and concerns to a Registered Nurse.

Recognise when patients are in pain and discomfort and report to nurse in charge.

Under the direction of trained staff maintain and develop own skills including :

• Monitoring and recording of vital signs to include blood pressure
• Simple, aseptic dressings
• Monitoring and recording of blood glucose levels
• Oxygen saturations

To respond appropriately to clinical emergencies to ensure the patient receives appropriate and safe care.

To undertake physical interventions (restraint) as a last resort only and to maintain up to date training in this area.

To assist the Registered Nurse with the safe handling and mobilisation of patients and when necessary to assist in the transportation of patients.

To chaperone patients to other clinical departments, following assessment by a registered nurse, to maintain patient safety.

Under the direction of the Healthcare Professional participate in the assessment, admission, discharge and handover of patients.

Provide reassurance, support to patients, carers and family.

Ensure own actions help to maintain quality.

To respond to patient requests for non‑clinical information to improve communication.

Establish and maintain communication with people on routine and operational matters.

To act always in a manner which promotes positive working relationships and maintains the professional image of the Trust.

Understand and adhere to all Trust policies, guidelines and procedures in particular, Health and Safety, Fire Safety, Waste Management and Resuscitation policies to maintain a safe working environment for patients and staff.

See attached JD for further information.

Person specification

• Right to Work in the UK
• UK Passport / Share Code
• 12 months experience
• 12 months MHSW experience
• Previous experience of working with patients that present a risk to themselves or others
• Previous experience of working as a healthcare assistant in a hospital or registered care setting
• Experience of taking clinical observations
• Experience of working within a team of mental health professionals
• Experience of therapeutic de‑escalation skills
• Experience of delivering psychology interventions
• Evidence of general education e.g. GCSEs or equivalent
• Care Certificate
• Training in safe physical interventions / restraint (for example PMVA, PSTS, PPI)
• NVQ III in Health care or equivalent qualification in the area of speciality
• Knowledge of mental health conditions
• Knowledge of therapeutic interventions delivered to reduce the risk of aggression, distress, self‑harm, anxiety, and self‑neglect
• Knowledge of planning mental health care deliver, risk assessment procedures
• Clear and accurate written and verbal communication
• Proven ability to work within a team as well as on own initiative
• Able to listen effectively and demonstrate a sympathetic / sensitive approach, and be able to speak effectively to colleagues, staff and patients
• Proven ability to understand and comply with detailed procedures
• Demonstrate ability to manage priorities under pressure
• Proven ability to adapt to new ideas, knowledge and skills
• Demonstrate ability to use own initiative and work without close supervision
• Understanding of the requirements of patient confidentiality
• Good hygiene skills (e.g. food handling, hand washing etc.)
• Knowledge of mental health admission and discharge pathways
• Punctual and reliable
• Ability to follow a clear instruction and feed back to senior staff
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act / Mental Capacity Act
• Manual handling of patients, using lifting aids
• Able and willing to work flexible shift patterns, internal rotation to day and night duty and unsocial hours, according to service needs

Additional information

Our mission: ‘to put the patient first by delivering great care to every patient, every day.’

There’s never been a better time to join the Epsom and St Helier team. Our hospitals are facing a bright and busy future, and our staff have a proven track record in providing high quality, compassionate care for our patients.

Boasting incredible staff benefits and dedicated training schemes, working for us will not only take your career forward, but could help to transform the lives of our patients and visitors.

We offer all employees some fantastic staff benefits, and are the only hospitals in Surrey to offer staff the London high cost area supplement. Our hospitals also benefit from great locations, so whether you're attracted to the bright lights of the city or the countryside of Epsom Downs, both are within easy reach.

FURTHER INFORMATION

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POSITION MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE STATED CLOSING DATE IF A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED. IF YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, YOU ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CONTACT ALL APPLICANTS VIA EMAIL AND NOT BY POST. YOU ARE ADVISED TO CHECK YOUR RECRUITMENT SYSTEM ACCOUNT ON A REGULAR BASIS. YOU CAN ACCESS THIS ACCOUNT VIA OUR WEBSITE.

Career & EEO Information

For new entrants into the NHS, your pay under the Agenda for Change or Medical & Dental Pay Bands, will normally be set at the minimum of the pay band as advertised.

If you apply for this position and do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been short‑listed for interview on this occasion.

ESTH values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of under‑represented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Employer we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Internal applicants from under‑represented minority groups are encouraged to seek development support such as work shadowing and interview skills coaching.