Livewell Southwest

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 24 March 2026

Job summary

37.5 hours per week.

Cotehele Unit is an acute mental health unit providing care for older people with an acute functional illness.

The ward would like to recruit an enthusiastic and forward-thinking healthcare assistant who has a genuine interest in working with this patient group. We are looking for a dedicated, compassionate, and approachable individual who will complement our team. The individual must be a team player, have excellent communication skills, good time management skills and the ability to work under pressure.

If you are a caring individual who likes a challenge, then this is the job for you.

We would welcome your application if you would like to have a positive impact and make a difference to people's hospital experience.

The post holder will be directed to undertake tasks once adequate instruction has been given by the trained nurse and both parties are confident that the task can be fulfilled competently. The post holder will provide support and mentorship to junior staff.

However, the trained nurse is required to carry the responsibility for decision making and direction.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.

Please note that Livewell SW 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 job

The role of the Senior Nursing Assistant is to assist the trained nurse in delivering physical, social, and psychological care to the patient / client with mental health problems / illness, admitted to the Unit or within the community.

The post holder will be required to work both within the ward unit and with clients in the community. This will involve contact with relatives, carers and other agencies. They will carry out interventions as part of the care plans and record information using the CPA process on electronic patients notes.

However, the trained nurse is required to carry the responsibility for decision making and direction.

Full Job description and person specification attached

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

11 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

B9832-2026-NM-10222

Job locations

Cotehele Unit

Glenbourne Unit

Derriford

Plymouth

PL6 5AF

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work under the direction of a registered member of nursing staff, but at times will not have direct supervision (as in a community setting). To work within a team supporting and assisting qualified staff in the implementation of patient care, that includes personal hygiene, toileting, undressing and dressing of patients, moving and handling and assisting with mobilisation. To undertake a range of competencies which may include service specific training appropriate to the role/service. To undertake a range of observations and ensure they are communicated and recorded appropriately. To use clinical decision-making tools to inform care, such as, Waterlow, MUST etc and be able to highlight significant results to senior staff Once assessed as competent, perform simple wound care, blood sugar monitoring, venepuncture, temperature, blood pressures, pulse oximetry and other clinical responsibilities as delegated by the registered nursing staff. To provide self-directed, individual activities for specified patients both in all healthcare settings working within risk management guidelines, as this may include working alone in the unit for periods of time under the guidance of a registered nurse To be able to identify when there may be a safeguarding risk for any patient or carer and know the process to follow Participate in the unit wide response team which responds to any untoward incident to ensure safety in the wards and to be fully trained in Physical Intervention (which will be in date). To carry out efficiently and effectively task and instructions assigned by the registered nurse To undertake only those tasks for which she / he has had instruction and is competent to fulfil as a senior healthcare assistant. To provide mentorship and support to junior staff or students To engage with audits, quality improvement projects and service changes as directed by the ward manager. To provide a high standard of care under the direction and supervision of more senior staff To assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery and evaluation of patient care. To liaise across inpatient and community colleagues in the statutory and non-statutory services as appropriate. To provide professional influence, direction, clarification and support for new and existing staff, nursing, occupational therapy, students, volunteers, and carers as appropriate as part of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT). To ensure the adherence to Health and Safety and Infection Prevention and Control guidelines at all times. To be involved in the continued development of the Senior Health Care Assistant role and other Health Care Assistants To provide guidance and support to junior staff or students To provide supervision/mentorship to Health Care Assistants as required To receive line management support 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.