Healthcare Assistant

Livewell Southwest

The closing date is 18 May 2025

Job summary

37.5 hours per week.

We are working closely with the Devon ICB on the longer term model and permanent funding of this service as this is a priority area within the Devon system.

We are seeking to recruit an experienced health care assistant or mental health support worker to work as part of a brand new, eating disorder physical health monitoring, outpatient clinic.

This is a newly commissioned service, you'll able to influence and develop the offering, alongside the team manager and other colleagues.

You will work face to face with people who use our services on a daily basis. Ensuring that they receive outstanding, safe care. Providing assessment, monitoring and advice, under the supervision of registered staff.

You will work with carers & other family members on a regular basis within the clinic, ensuring that they are included in care where necessary.

You will work to ensure the clinic runs smoothly, supporting the team with ordering stock, arranging appointments, and liaising with other agencies.

You will also have the opportunity to take lead on a team initiative such as infection control/Triangle of Care.

Working as part of a small team, you will get to work in a multidisciplinary team alongside other clinical staff including nursing and support staff and a GP.

As this opportunity is available to people with varied experience of general and mental health, you will be supported to develop your knowledge where necessary to provide excellent standards of care.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Care:

Support the nursing staff to conduct comprehensive physical health assessments.

Support with developing individualised care plans where required.

Provide patient education on nutrition and health.
Provide signposting where required.
Work closely with carers and relatives, ensuring Triangle of Care principles are adhered to. This might also include supporting carers with assessments and further signposting.

Patient Monitoring:

Regularly monitor physical health indicators, including weight and BMI.

Support the clinical staff with procedures as necessary within competencies and under supervision.

Report concerns, identified risk & significant changes to multi-disciplinary team promptly and appropriately.

Clinical Support:

Ensure the clinic and surrounding areas are maintained.
Assist in auditing, to include clinic stock levels.

Support with stock ordering where necessary.
Lead on at least one team initiative such as infection control lead or Triangle of Care Lead.

Professional Development

Actively partake in any training.

Stay updated with the latest developments.

Participate in clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.
Please note that we may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.
All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Date posted

29 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2025-NM-9668-2

Job locations

Livewell Southwest

To be confirmed

Plymouth

Devon

PL4 7PY

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 Responsibility for People Management

To be involved in the continued development of the Health Care Assistant role and other Health Care Assistants

To provide guidance and support to junior staff or students

To provide line management to Health Care Assistants

To receive line management support and supervision

5.2 Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources

The post holder will have no direct responsibility for finances; however they will adhere to the relevant trust policies on financial issues

The post holder will use Livewell Southwest resources responsibly

5.3 Responsibility for administration

To ensure competencies in record keeping

Report any changes in the patients condition or care needs to the supervising trained nurse and / or relevant therapist and document accordingly.

Maintain accurate and complete patient records in accordance with organisational guidelines.

Maintain confidentiality of information being aware of Livewells policies and local protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes

To access email and other information through Livewell Southwest intranet

5.4 Responsibility for people who use our services

Support peoples care through provision of key skills including emotional and spiritual care, positioning, communication, tissue viability, oral and personal hygiene, and nutritional awareness.

Assist people to achieve there optimal level in their physical health care maintaining their comfort and dignity at all times.

To support patients to identify and overcome fears within a relationship of empathy and trust.

To monitor mental health of service users and report changes to qualified staff so that the care plan can be kept fully up to date. Be aware of fluctuations in mental health.

To work with patients and carers to work towards recovery

The post holder will promote better mental health by acting as a suitable role model

The post holder is required to comply with all infection prevention and control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate to Director of Operations/Chief Executive Office.

Be able to respond effectively to any concerns of abuse and know procedures they need to follow to escalate their concerns.

To participate in, support and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to improve the persons quality of life. To record contacts, interventions and observations on the electronic record systems.

Contribute to the assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating care to patients. This to include participation in case review and assessment for admission / discharge process

Escort patients to other wards / departments or other areas designated by trained staff, which may include the community settings.

Record and manage patients property

5.5 Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments

To comply with Livewell southwest policies and procedures relevant to the role.

This will include adherence to Uniform & Dress Code Policy when worn.

To report any observed incident of unprofessional behaviour, accidents/incidents, untoward occurrences, or faulty equipment.

To participate professionally in service development and proposed service changes

Comply with universal infection control precautions and procedures.

To behave in a manner which does not bring Livewell Southwest into disrepute

To complete all Mandatory training and other training pertinent to the role, as agreed by line manager.

5.6 Other Responsibilities

The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies

Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Livewell southwest policies

To participate in induction and support programmes in relation to new staff and volunteers as directed by the nurse

To actively engage in clinical supervision both as a supervisor and supervisee if appropriate. In line with local guidelines review, reflect and develop own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

To demonstrate ongoing personal and professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, reflecting and recording learning outcomes in a professional portfolio. This would include support groups and induction opportunities.

To know how to report accidents and untoward incidents and to do so promptly.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

To act as an ambassador for Livewell with external agencies and partner organisations.

Always address staff, patients and members of the public in a polite and respectful manner either in person or on the telephone.

Be conversant with and comply with all relevant organisational protocols and policies and have valid organisational IT access.

Compassionate, caring and kind in their practice.

De-escalation skills

To support the team in promoting a recovery orientated environment by identifying recovery focused activities and imparting information and education as required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

The post holder will be competent in computer skills

The post holder may be exposed to some working conditions including exposure to vomit, sputum and body fluids.

The post holder will be expected to travel around Plymouth in the course of their duties as appropriate whether working ward or community based.

To undertake and be competent in physical intervention and breakaway training

Shift work including night shifts if working in a ward-based scenario.

The post holder will be exposed to a working environment that is challenging because of systems and procedures that are in place to protect patients and staff. The post holder may be exposed to the risk of physical assault and injury and will have to carry an alarm with them at all times and work within the constraints of the safety procedures in the unit or community-based area (clients homes).

The post holder may be exposed to emotionally distressing situations on a frequent basis as some people with mental illness have physical disabilities and complex health needs. These include challenging and unpredictable behaviour and learning disability issues. Also there is a need to develop rapport and effective therapeutic working in a pressured environment with a high turnover of patients whose needs are many and varied.

Emotional and mental resilience