Senior Healthcare Assistant

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Colchester is seeking a compassionate individual to support young people in an adolescent ward. The role involves assisting with daily living needs and providing person-centred care, while working closely with qualified staff. Candidates should have relevant healthcare experience and an understanding of mental health issues. The position offers 27 days of holiday, excellent pension benefits, and flexible working arrangements. We encourage applications from those who can contribute to a positive and inclusive environment.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Excellent pension up to 14.5%

Staff discounts including NHS offers

£8K relocation package

Interest-free season ticket loans

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting young people in care.
• Knowledge of mental health conditions such as depression and psychosis.
• Understanding of the Mental Health Act and relevant patient safeguarding procedures.

Responsibilities

• Support young people in daily living needs and care plans.
• Report changes in young people's conditions to qualified staff.
• Maintain safe practices according to Policies and Procedures.
• Contribute to team meetings and planning care programmes.

Skills

Caring for young people

Ability to work in a team

Communication skills

Understanding of mental health issues

Education

Relevant healthcare qualifications

Job description

Sponsored Positions

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.

Please note 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.

We Value 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.

Role Summary

The post holder is responsible for undertaking assigned tasks that involve direct care in an adolescent ward setting. The post involves supporting young people in all aspects of their care including daily living needs as is outlined in the young people’s individualised care plan. The post holder is responsible for reporting any relevant changes in the young person’s condition to the qualified staff. The post holder will assist support of people with mental health needs and challenging behaviours, such as depression or psychosis, and working with young people who have likely felt or attempted suicidal. You will be required to provide person‑centred care and working, whilst supporting qualified staff to ensure the highest standards of care are upheld. Young people, relatives, carers and other staff will find the post holder flexible, approachable and with a helpful and friendly disposition, upholding the ethos of EPUT of good customer care at all times with an awareness of own attitude at all times.

Key Responsibilities

1. To ensure that safe practice to be maintained, by a full awareness of Policies and Procedures regarding aspects of Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression
2. Promoting the recovery model of care and social inclusion
3. An awareness and to keep updated of the Care Quality commission standards
4. Aware of one own appearance, ensure the Trust uniform is worn correctly and is clean and presentable
5. The post holder will be prepared to work within the 24 hours service, 7 days per week, 365 days per year as per rota.
6. An understanding of the Mental Health Act/Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLs) and (MCA) Mental Capacity Assessments.
7. Take responsibility to ensure all mandatory training is up to date
8. Aware of one’s own self-development needs and attend appropriate courses as agreed at appraisal.
9. Attend in‑service and other training as required.
10. To be appraised once a year
11. Undertake clinical supervision to enhance practice
12. At all times be aware of the Trust’s ethos and maintaining of customer care standards
13. Undertake any other appropriate duties as required.

Additional Duties

1. Assist and maintain tidiness, encouraging a welcoming, therapeutic atmosphere, clean environment within the unit
2. Responsible for working with your colleagues, seeking to improve the quality of services provided to our residents
3. Assist in planning programmes of care together with the unit team. Implementing these plans under the supervision of the designated Supervisor
4. Contribute to record keeping under the supervision of a qualified staff member keeping accurate records of residents care with due regard to the confidentiality of information relating to patients. It is the responsibility of the qualified staff to arrange regular reviews and to countersign all entries into records.
5. Flexible and co‑operative and willing in undertaking allocated realistic team tasks
6. Undertake cleaning of spillage’s, including body fluids in line with Trust infection control policies and procedures
7. Collection specimens for investigations
8. The role includes working shifts including early, late and nights shifts, weekends and public holidays and rotate to other ward areas as per service need and/or annually

Benefits

• 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.