Healthcare Assistant - Adolescent Inpatient Services - Oxford

Oxford Health NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people?

We are looking for Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) to join our energetic and passionate team, working alongside nurses, doctors, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, family therapists, and dieticians.

The Highfield unit is a purpose-built, tier 4, inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services unit. We are a multidisciplinary team offering inpatient and day patient admission for young people with acute mental health problems.

We provide care for young people with a range of difficulties including eating disorders, anxiety OCD, depression and bipolar mood disorders, unusual experiences and psychosis, trauma, self-harm, and relationship and attachment-based difficulties. Families are often contending with multiple and complex psycho-social difficulties, and we aim to take a holistic approach guided by evidence and best-practice.

*Please note, within your supporting statement you will need to answer two questions:

1. Please tell us a time you had to deal with a challenging patient

2. Please tell us a time you had to handle a tricky situation at work*Interviews will be conducted on a face to face basis to allow for a site visit and young person's interview - you will need to be available for this*

Main duties of the job

The role importantly involves 24 hours, 7 days a week care, therefore shift patterns are in place which will include nights. It is a varied role that can be rich and rewarding, and you will be valued and supported by the team around you.

You will work alongside the nursing team to deliver care directly to young people and their families. We have a skilful and dedicated team of nurses and HCAs, and within this team you will be directly involved in the assessment, care planning, and delivery of treatment. Each young person has a dedicated case team whom works closely alongside colleagues supporting an individual young person.

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

Excellent opportunities for career progression
Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
Competitive pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Mental Health First Aiders
Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Date posted

18 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum/pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-OA6931902

Job locations

Highfield Unit, Warenford Hospital

Warneford Lane

Oxford

OX3 7JX

Job description

Job responsibilities

There will be many opportunities available for you to develop your skills and competencies. We offer a range of therapeutic groups on the ward, such as DBT-informed skills, community meetings, a psychodynamic-informed reflective group, patient involvement forum, eating disorder group, a collaborative weekly case review base on a CBT-E model, and psychoeducational parents groups.

We have strong links with the university and as a unit have contributed to much research, and HCAs interested in research have gained valuable experience this way.

You do not need prior experience in the field as comprehensive training will be provided such as ASC course, breakaway and management of violence and aggression, DBT-informed skills, and Positive Engagement And Caring Environments (PEACE) an innovative, experiential training package.

If you are looking for a new opportunity, a career change or seeking clinical experience we encourage you to contact Francine Tutty on highfield.unit@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk or 01865902711 to arrange an informal visit with current Staff and Patients.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We have strong links with the university and as a unit have contributed to much research, and HCAs interested in research have gained valuable experience this way.

Person Specification

Knowledge Requirements

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Ability to work on his/her own, but with supervision

Personal Qualities

Essential

Genuine interest and commitment to working with young people and their families
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Ability to manage challenging behaviors and an emotional robustness

Experience

Essential

Experience of providing care (e.g. child / elderly relative)

Person Specification

Knowledge Requirements

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Ability to work on his/her own, but with supervision

Personal Qualities

Essential

Genuine interest and commitment to working with young people and their families
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Ability to manage challenging behaviors and an emotional robustness

Experience

Essential

Experience of providing care (e.g. child / elderly relative)

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.