Senior Healthcare Assistant

Job summary37.5 hours per week / 12 months fixed term contractGreenfields Unit is a 9 Bedded Recovery Unit that provides treatment for women withenduring mental health needs. The aim is to prepare people for community livingthrough the process of intensive support and a range of therapeutic andpsychological interventions. Weare looking for enthusiastic people who enjoy working in an environment thatcan be challenging. This role willinvolve supporting clients with complex needs both in an in-patient setting andin the community.Thereis an expectation that once competent you will be able to escort patients inthe community in a range of settings without direct supervision. This may include appointments, to assesssocial skills and for social and therapeutic activities."Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility"Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.Main duties of the jobThe role of the Senior Healthcare Assistant is to assist the trained nurse in delivering physical, social, andpsychological care to the patient / client with mental health problems /illness, admitted to the Unit or within the community.The post holder will berequired to work both within the ward unit and with clients in thecommunity. This will involve contactwith relatives, carers and other agencies.They will carry out interventions as part of the care plans and record informationusing the CPA / PCF process on electronic patients notes.The postholder will be directed to undertake tasks once adequate instruction has beengiven by the trained nurse and both parties are confident that the task can befulfilled competently. The post holderwill provide support and mentorship to junior staff.However,the trained nurse is required to carry the responsibility for decision makingand direction.The post holder will need to travel and attend to service users based across Plymouth and other geographical areas. Full and valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the successful applicant. About usLivewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:Protected CPD time for registered staffVarious development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staffLeadership & mentoring programmesAccess & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse TrainingA Robust PreceptorshipA bespoke induction programmeExisting members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.Job description Job responsibilitiesTo work under the direction of aregistered member of nursing staff, but at times will not have directsupervision (as in a community setting).To work within a team supporting andassisting qualified staff in the implementation of patient care.To undertake a range of competencieswhich may include service specific training appropriate to the role/service.To undertake a range of observationsand ensure they are communicated and recorded appropriately.To use clinical decision-makingtools to inform care, such as, Waterlow, MUST etc and be able to highlightsignificant results to senior staff.Once assessed as competent, performsimple wound care, blood sugar monitoring, venepuncture, temperature, bloodpressures, pulse oximetry and other clinical responsibilities as delegated bythe registered nursing staff.To provide self-directed, individualactivities for specified patients in all healthcare settings working withinrisk management guidelines, as this may include working alone in the unit forperiods of time under the guidance of a registered nurse.To be able to identify when theremay be a safeguarding risk for any patient or carer and know the process tofollow.Participate in the unit wideresponse team which responds to any untoward incident to ensure safety in thewards and to be fully trained in Physical Intervention (which will be in date).To carry out efficiently andeffectively task and instructions assigned by the registered nurseTo undertake only those tasks forwhich she / he has had instruction and is competent to fulfil as a seniorhealthcare assistant.Toprovide mentorship and support to junior staff or studentsToengage with audits, quality improvement projects and service changes asdirected by the ward manager.To provide a high standard of care under the direction and supervisionof more senior staffTo assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery and evaluation ofpatient care.Toliaise across inpatient and community colleagues in the statutory and non-statutoryservices as appropriate. Toprovideprofessional influence, direction, clarification and support for new andexisting staff, nursing, occupational therapy, students, volunteers, and carersas appropriate as part of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).To ensure the adherence to Health and Safety and Infection Preventionand Control guidelines at all times.Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.Job description Job responsibilitiesTo work under the direction of aregistered member of nursing staff, but at times will not have directsupervision (as in a community setting).To work within a team supporting andassisting qualified staff in the implementation of patient care.To undertake a range of competencieswhich may include service specific training appropriate to the role/service.To undertake a range of observationsand ensure they are communicated and recorded appropriately.To use clinical decision-makingtools to inform care, such as, Waterlow, MUST etc and be able to highlightsignificant results to senior staff.Once assessed as competent, performsimple wound care, blood sugar monitoring, venepuncture, temperature, bloodpressures, pulse oximetry and other clinical responsibilities as delegated bythe registered nursing staff.To provide self-directed, individualactivities for specified patients in all healthcare settings working withinrisk management guidelines, as this may include working alone in the unit forperiods of time under the guidance of a registered nurse.To be able to identify when theremay be a safeguarding risk for any patient or carer and know the process tofollow.Participate in the unit wideresponse team which responds to any untoward incident to ensure safety in thewards and to be fully trained in Physical Intervention (which will be in date).To carry out efficiently andeffectively task and instructions assigned by the registered nurseTo undertake only those tasks forwhich she / he has had instruction and is competent to fulfil as a seniorhealthcare assistant.Toprovide mentorship and support to junior staff or studentsToengage with audits, quality improvement projects and service changes asdirected by the ward manager.To provide a high standard of care under the direction and supervisionof more senior staffTo assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery and evaluation ofpatient care.Toliaise across inpatient and community colleagues in the statutory and non-statutoryservices as appropriate. Toprovideprofessional influence, direction, clarification and support for new andexisting staff, nursing, occupational therapy, students, volunteers, and carersas appropriate as part of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).To ensure the adherence to Health and Safety and Infection Preventionand Control guidelines at all times.Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.Person Specification Qualifications Essential NVQ level 3, QCF level 3 in Health and Social care or equivalent experience or qualification. Care certificate Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings. Ability to participate in activities with patients Ability to contribute to the process of and the delivery of high standard of care as planned in care programme Desirable Vocational Qualification Level II or able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and ability to work to that level Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings. Experience Essential Experience of one year in a Mental Health setting Band 2 level or equivalent or Band 3 level or equivalent Awareness of vulnerable adult / protection issues and guidance Recent experience of working in a care setting Team working Clinical governance Ability to work with minimum of supervision To undertake baseline physical observations Evidence of continuing professional development Desirable Experience of variety of Mental Health settings Previous experience working in a multidisciplinary team. Working within an NHS setting Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting Knowledge Essential Knowledge of mental health. Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches and application to people with a learning disability/mental health problems. Awareness of safeguarding principles . Basic IT skills. A basic understanding of physical health presentation. Good communication and listening skills. Continual assessment of patient. Organisational skills. Problem solving skills. An awareness to maintain professional Boundaries Awareness of own limits and boundaries in relation to own job role Good written communication. Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice/ equal opportunities. Resilience. Willingness to positively share your own life experiences, personal experiences of your own ill health with service users and carers. Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower patients and carers. . Demonstrates an empathy of people Desirable Has the ability to provide supervision / mentoring to junior staff. Knowledge of government initiatives that shape mental health practice. Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills. Knowledge of the triangle of care. Knowledge of CPA / Personalised Care Framework. Specific Skills Essential Demonstrate effective communication skills with a range of people in various situations where there may be barriers in understanding for clients/carers Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit Ability to manage time and plan work. To complete clinical records To take leadership and direction from qualified staff To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties. Ability to work in a team effectively Should have ability to demonstrate basic IT skills Awareness of personal safety Able to work in challenging and unpredictable environmental conditions alone and with others effectively managing dynamic risks of our individual patient group. Physical Intervention in a ward environment Care plans and risk assessments Confidentiality De-escalation skills Motivated Compassionate Empathetic Reliable Confidence in dealing with patients Ability to work in stressful conditions Ability to work as part of a team Desirable Current driving licence Flexible approach to working arrangements Additional requirements Essential Friendly and caring manner Approachable An appreciation of working with a wide age group of clients Flexible approach To work rotational shift pattern over 24 hours Person Specification Qualifications Essential NVQ level 3, QCF level 3 in Health and Social care or equivalent experience or qualification. Care certificate Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings. Ability to participate in activities with patients Ability to contribute to the process of and the delivery of high standard of care as planned in care programme Desirable Vocational Qualification Level II or able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and ability to work to that level Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings. Experience Essential Experience of one year in a Mental Health setting Band 2 level or equivalent or Band 3 level or equivalent Awareness of vulnerable adult / protection issues and guidance Recent experience of working in a care setting Team working Clinical governance Ability to work with minimum of supervision To undertake baseline physical observations Evidence of continuing professional development Desirable Experience of variety of Mental Health settings Previous experience working in a multidisciplinary team. Working within an NHS setting Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting Knowledge Essential Knowledge of mental health. Knowledge of a range of therapeutic approaches and application to people with a learning disability/mental health problems. Awareness of safeguarding principles . Basic IT skills. A basic understanding of physical health presentation. Good communication and listening skills. Continual assessment of patient. Organisational skills. Problem solving skills. An awareness to maintain professional Boundaries Awareness of own limits and boundaries in relation to own job role Good written communication. Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice/ equal opportunities. Resilience. Willingness to positively share your own life experiences, personal experiences of your own ill health with service users and carers. Ability to problem solve and create innovative solutions to help empower patients and carers. . Demonstrates an empathy of people Desirable Has the ability to provide supervision / mentoring to junior staff. Knowledge of government initiatives that shape mental health practice. Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills. Knowledge of the triangle of care. Knowledge of CPA / Personalised Care Framework. Specific Skills Essential Demonstrate effective communication skills with a range of people in various situations where there may be barriers in understanding for clients/carers Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit Ability to manage time and plan work. To complete clinical records To take leadership and direction from qualified staff To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties. Ability to work in a team effectively Should have ability to demonstrate basic IT skills Awareness of personal safety Able to work in challenging and unpredictable environmental conditions alone and with others effectively managing dynamic risks of our individual patient group. Physical Intervention in a ward environment Care plans and risk assessments Confidentiality De-escalation skills Motivated Compassionate Empathetic Reliable Confidence in dealing with patients Ability to work in stressful conditions Ability to work as part of a team Desirable Current driving licence Flexible approach to working arrangements Additional requirements Essential Friendly and caring manner Approachable An appreciation of working with a wide age group of clients Flexible approach To work rotational shift pattern over 24 hours Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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. Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. . Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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. Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .Employer details Employer nameLivewell Southwest Address200 Mount Gould Road Mount Gould Plymouth Devon PL4 7PY Employer's website