Senior Healthcare Assistant

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

NHS pension

£8K relocation package

Season ticket loans

Job summary

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Healthcare Assistant in the Chelmsford area. The role involves working within a 24/7 mental health service in an in-patient setting and requires face-to-face interviews with the Recruiting Manager.

The post includes induction via the HCA Academy and mandatory training, with a notice of the closing date of 23 November 2026. A relocation package may be available and sponsorship is not offered.

Qualifications

• This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to the DBS will be required.

Responsibilities

• To be responsible along with other members of the team for the implementation of all care aspects of individual care planning. Attending to the physical and psychological needs of the patients under the care of the nursing team.
• Act as an associate worker for service users, ensure that accurate and objective information is recorded and signed by the appropriate member of staff.
• Establish therapeutic relationships with individual clients, relatives and carers are maintained by the nursing team. Contribute towards the formulation of care.

Job description

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 23 November 2026

*Please note we cannot offer sponsorship for this vacancy now or in the future*

This vacancy requires a face to face interview with the Recruiting Manager. Applicants that are unable to attend a face to face interview need not apply.

To be responsible along with other members of the team for the implementation of all care aspects of individual care planning.Attending to the physical and psychological needs of the patients under the care of the nursing team.

Act as an associate worker for service users, ensure that accurate and objective information is recorded and signed by the appropriate member of staff.

Establish therapeutic relationships with individual clients, relatives and carers are maintained by the nursing team. Contribute towards the formulation of care.

Main duties of the job

• To work independently and accountably as part of a team of clinicians offering 24 hr mental health access and information in the locality of the Trust. The service will be 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for 365 days a year working shifts in an in-patient setting.
• To act as a role model to other colleagues within the team.
• Work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, clinicians & other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team.
• To deliver high quality, effective operational service to people with mental health needs, in accordance with the principles & objective of the Trust and its vision as identified in the service. The job requires the post holder to work flexibly and undertake a change in role at short notice.
• To work collaboratively with others within the new organisation to provide an exemplary level of care to service users and their carers.

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 to14.5% 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

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details on the role and responsibilities.

The NHS Essex Integrated Care Board 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 population's health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities.

HCA Academy, is an ICB initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT). The Academy supports the on boarding, induction, education and experience of our Health Care Assistants (HCAs), Activity Coordinators (ACs), Peer Support Workers (PSWs) and Family Care Assistants (FCAs), modelling a "one workforce" cross-system approach.

To support this one workforce model, successful candidates appointed to this post will be required to attend our 4 day face to face Induction Programme (Monday to Thursday) at the NHS Essex ICB Education Hub, Brentwood Community Hospital. Your start date will therefore align with one of the Academy induction dates available each month, which will be discussed and agreed during the recruitment process.

The HCA Academy Induction Programme has been designed to train and support successful candidates through the early stages of their employment and provides opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and confidence within the role. Further information will be provided following interview.

Following completion of the Academy Induction Programme, our new starters will undertake EPUT's corporate and mandatory training programme. This will consist of a combination of face-to-face and virtual learning to support a successful transition into employment.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Knowledge
• Knowledge

Skills

• Skills
• Skills

Experience

• Experience
• Experience

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.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£25,760 to £27,476 a yearPer annum, pro rata for part time