Senior Health Care Assistant

NHS; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Cheltenham is seeking a Senior Health Care Assistant to assist in delivering care within a mental health ward. The ideal candidate will have an NVQ level 3 in health or social care and significant experience in a mental health setting. Responsibilities include supporting patients, performing physical observations, and coordinating recreational activities. This role offers a chance to work within a compassionate healthcare team.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a mental health or social care setting.
• Experience working both in a team and independently.
• Experience in the assessment of patients.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering care to patients in a mental health service.
• Provide social and recreational activities for patients.
• Perform physical observations like temperature and pulse.

Skills

Teamwork

Patient assessment

Communication skills

Decision making

Education

NVQ level 3 in health or social care

European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

Job description

Go back Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Overview

Senior Health Care Assistant at Charlton Lane Hospital. Willow Ward, a 16 bedded ward for predominantly older adults with an organic mental illness. The closing date is 21 September 2025.

Main duties of the job

As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not. You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.

On a daily basis, assist qualified staff in the provision of care as detailed in the individual care plans, undertake tasks that facilitate the smooth running of the ward as directed by qualified staff and liaise with other departments to ensure the ward environment is safe and welcoming e.g. Hotel Services. Tasks can include; assisting with the giving of medication and medical dressings; holding the pagers for first response; preparing for admissions; escort and driving duties. This will include extended periods without direct supervision. On a daily basis identify and provide the necessary physical care to patients to help them complete daily living activities and initiate, coordinate and run ward and community based social and recreational activities for ward patients, including individual and group activities. This will include extended periods without direct supervision. Undertake and accurately record physical observations e.g. temperature, pulse, blood pressure, also general and special visual observations. Periodically collect fluid, sputum and faecal samples as required. Ensure a range of social and recreational activities are always available in the unit / ward for patients which can be implemented by staff at other times. Successfully initiate and develop rapport with patients, to enable patients to balance periods of activity, socialisation and rest. Liaise effectively with nursing staff, multi-disciplinary teams and other allied health professionals. Actively participate in team handovers, providing verbal reports as required or making presentations to the immediate team or the wider multi-disciplinary team.

The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of competency based training in a relevant health or social care area
• European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

LENGTH AND / OR NATURE OF EXPERIENCE

• Significant experience of working in a mental health or social care setting
• Significant experience of working in a team and independently
• Experience in the assessment of patients
• Experience of lone working and decision making
• Experience of providing social and recreational activities

PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL / SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of mental illness or learning disabilities and its impact on the Individual
• Knowledge of how mental illness has an impact on motivation, social skills and activities and on the individual and their families
• Knowledge and understanding of risk assessment and management obtained through formal in-house training course
• Knowledge and understanding of the Care Pathway Approach (CPA)
• Awareness of issues surrounding diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
• Understanding of the basic principles of Infection Control

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.

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust