Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Health Care Assistant

The closing date is 22 October 2025

Apply for this job

Job summary

Opportunities have arisen to join our dedicated team at Rydon Ward, part of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. As a Health Care Assistant, you will work within an inpatient unit supporting adults of working age who are experiencing acute mental health difficulties.

This is a role that can be emotionally challenging but also immensely rewarding, especially when patients recover and move forward in their lives. You will be part of a compassionate and professional team, contributing to patient-centred care and supporting individuals through their recovery journey.

We are looking for individuals with a positive outlook, dedication, and compassion who want to make a real difference.

Main duties of the job

  • Support qualified nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team in delivering care.
  • Engage with patients through listening, talking, and therapeutic activities.
  • Observe and monitor patient behaviour to ensure safety and wellbeing.
  • Assist patients with personal care, hygiene, and dietary needs.
  • Escort patients within and outside the unit for therapeutic purposes.
  • Help manage challenging behaviours using de-escalation techniques.
  • Encourage adherence to care plans, including medication compliance.
  • Participate in ward meetings and contribute to care planning.
  • Maintain accurate records using electronic systems (e.g., RIO).
  • Uphold infection control and safety standards within the ward environment.

Please be advised - this vacancy may close early if we reach a sufficient amount of applications.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

08 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3034

Job locations

Rydon Ward

Cheddon Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7AZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Health Care Assistant, you will:

  • Recognise and respect each patient's individuality, supporting their emotional, social, and intellectual needs.
  • Build effective relationships with patients, carers, and colleagues to facilitate open communication.
  • Assist in the coordination and delivery of ward activities and therapeutic interventions.
  • Support patients in group and individual activities, promoting recovery and engagement.
  • Participate in the management of aggression and restraint procedures (following training).
  • Carry out observations and contribute to the assessment of patients' functioning.
  • Maintain patient dignity and privacy at all times.
  • Be involved in the admission, transfer, and discharge processes.
  • Adhere to Trust policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and infection control.
  • Attend mandatory and role-specific training, including PMVA and First Aid.
  • Be flexible and responsive to the therapeutic needs of the patient group.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Health Care Assistant, you will:

  • Recognise and respect each patient's individuality, supporting their emotional, social, and intellectual needs.
  • Build effective relationships with patients, carers, and colleagues to facilitate open communication.
  • Assist in the coordination and delivery of ward activities and therapeutic interventions.
  • Support patients in group and individual activities, promoting recovery and engagement.
  • Participate in the management of aggression and restraint procedures (following training).
  • Carry out observations and contribute to the assessment of patients' functioning.
  • Maintain patient dignity and privacy at all times.
  • Be involved in the admission, transfer, and discharge processes.
  • Adhere to Trust policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and infection control.
  • Attend mandatory and role-specific training, including PMVA and First Aid.
  • Be flexible and responsive to the therapeutic needs of the patient group.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Must be willing to work towards NVQ level 3 in direct care or Certificate in Care if not already held.

Desirable

  • Training and experience e.g. Lifting, first aid, food handling, care work.Related healthcare interests or education

Experience

Desirable

  • Experience of working with people e.g. in a caring situation, dealing with the general publicPrevious experience of working in mental health services.Ability to transfer own life experience into helping relationship

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.Problem solving skillsGood observation skills

Desirable

  • Basic understanding of Recovery Model, issues of dignity and privacyBasic understanding of risk
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Must be willing to work towards NVQ level 3 in direct care or Certificate in Care if not already held.

Desirable

  • Training and experience e.g. Lifting, first aid, food handling, care work.Related healthcare interests or education

Experience

Desirable

  • Experience of working with people e.g. in a caring situation, dealing with the general publicPrevious experience of working in mental health services.Ability to transfer own life experience into helping relationship

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.Problem solving skillsGood observation skills

Desirable

  • Basic understanding of Recovery Model, issues of dignity and privacyBasic understanding of risk

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 details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Rydon Ward

Cheddon Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7AZ


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Rydon Ward

Cheddon Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7AZ


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Jez Eagle

jez.eagle@somersetft.nhs.uk

01823368203

Details

Date posted

08 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-3034

Job locations

Rydon Ward

Cheddon Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7AZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)