Senior Support Worker (Physical Health)

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Bournemouth seeks a Senior Support Worker to conduct physical health checks for individuals with serious mental illnesses. The role involves driving to patients' homes and providing health interventions while ensuring the comfort of patients. Candidates must have NVQ level 3 in Care or equivalent, and strong organizational skills. Apply for an opportunity that makes a positive impact in health services.

Qualifications

• To have a functional understanding of communication systems supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Ability to act calmly in emergencies.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct annual physical health checks including blood samples and ECGs.
• Support patients in health interventions like smoking cessation.
• Drive to patients' homes and ensure comfort.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Good organizational skills

Basic understanding of behavioral assessment

Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English

Education

NVQ level 3 in Care or equivalent

Good standard of general education

Tools

Basic IT skills

Job description

Senior Support Worker (Physical Health)

The closing date is 18 November 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit an enthusiastic, compassionate, and highly motivated Physical Health Support Worker to work across Dorset. The main role of this job is to provide annual physical health checks for people diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI) by conducting a range of physical observations including taking blood samples and ECG's. The role also provides positive health promotion and interventions as well as signposting individuals to services and setting goals to improve their physical health.

The role will require the successful applicant to build relationships with patients who may struggle to access support for their health needs and will require trying different approaches in how physical health checks are offered.

We are looking for an individual who is motivated to make a positive contribution to improving the physical health for people living with SMI in secondary health services and support them in accessing the appropriate level of interventions.

The successful applicant will need to be able to work autonomously with management supervision but also be a team player as part of a busy mental health service.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team focusing on the physical health needs of patients experiencing their First Episode of Psychosis. This will include completing physical health checks including collection of blood samples and completing ECG's.

The role will include supporting patients with physical health interventions i.e. stop smoking, guidance for diet and exercise.

The role includes driving to patients' homes and patient engagement and enabling patients to feel at ease.

To ensure that the highest standards of care are always maintained.

To liaise with relevant agencies in Primary Care and Acute hospitals when obtaining and communicating results for the purpose of interventions and record keeping.

To support the EIS key Workers with Physical health checks for all allocated patients.

To undertake a wide range of technical skills which will be performed according to all relevant internal policies and Standard Operating Procedures. Some of these skills are listed below:

• Venepuncture
• ECG's
• Blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height and weight, BMI
• Substance and alcohol screening
• Other physical health checks to achieve an overall holistic physical health assessment.

To participate in clinical supervision in line with organisational policy. To ensure personal development to keep abreast of current trends within physical health and meet any changing demands of the role.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

• NVQ level 3 in Care, Foundation Degree, or equivalent level of experience/qualification
• Good standard of general education

Job Specific Experience

• To be able to demonstrate a functional understanding of a total communication approach and communication systems that support young people with Intellectual Disabilities
• Able to act calmly in emergencies and respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging situations.
• Good organisational skills and demonstrable ability to prioritise.
• To have a basic understanding of the principals of behavioural assessment and intervention and it's use with this client group supported by the team.

Information Technology

• Basic IT keyboard skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training.

Additional requirements

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role.

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.

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust