Job summary
Are you starting your career in healthcare or looking to take your first step into mental health?
Join our supportive, friendly team as a Health Care Assistant at Woodlands House, providing care for people from your local community. This is a rewarding opportunity to build hands-on experience, develop your skills, and make a real difference in people's lives.
We are keen to encourage applications from people with recent study or transferable experiences - including those who have recently completed a Level 3 qualification in health and social care, or graduates wanting to explore a career in mental healthcare regardless of degree.
Woodlands House is a 20-bedded forensic low secure male ward supporting individuals with enduring mental illness, some of whom have experience with the criminal justice system. Our care is based on the Recovery Model, focusing on strengths, hope, and meaningful engagement, with active family involvement.
If shortlisted, you will be invited to a Recruitment Day to meet the team, learn about our services, and demonstrate your skills. Please note this is by invitation only following successful screening.
Main duties of the job
We are an innovative and dedicated multi-disciplinary team, so you will have the opportunity to work closely with nursing, medical, psychology and occupational therapy team members.
We will need you to be dynamic and committed by actively contributing to and supporting the recovery process, as well as maintaining the high standards of patient care whilst working within a safe, secure and supportive environment.
This post attracts an RSU Lead of £1,446 per annum on top of your annual salary.
About us
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application you are encouraged to read the "candidate guide to making an application" which is attached to all roles. Please include details around qualifications (including years these were gained particularly if we need to assess for clinical roles that these are still valid) and ensure that the supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses the essential criteria found in the JD.
As a Trust we provide 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
- Individual and Trust wide learning and development
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount
- Pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Staff accommodation (waiting lists may apply)
- Staff networking and support groups
Job description
Job responsibilities
We will need you to contribute and participate in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of care and treatment for people with mental health problems.
It is mandatory for you to complete PEACE Teamwork training and other training directly related to the job.
You will work a rotating shift pattern to cover our 24 hour, 7 day a week service. This will be a mixture of Early, Late day shifts and Nights in every four.
If you are successfully shortlisted, our Recruitment Day whichis designed to give you a real feel for life at Oxford Health. You'll have an extended period to meet our teams, learn about our services, and show us what you can do.
The day will include:
- Numeracy/Literacy Test:A short assessment to evaluate your foundational skills.
- Group Activity:An exercise that allows you to demonstrate your collaboration and problem-solving abilities.
- Interview:A chance for us to get to know you better and understand your skills and for you to ask us any questions you have.
- Networking:An opportunity to meet our staff and learn more about the roles, our wards, and our commitment to your professional development.
This is your opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and values we're looking for in our next Healthcare Assistants.
What We Offer
We are committed to investing in our staff and providing a rewarding career path.
- Support & Development:We offer comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure you have everything you need to succeed in your role.
- Flexible Working:We have a range of permanent, full-time, and part-time positions with various shift patterns available. We'll also consider flexible working arrangements.
- A Rewarding Career:This is more than just a jobit's a chance to provide compassionate care and be a critical part of a team that makes a genuine difference in people's lives every day.
Please note that this recruitment day is by invitation only and is open exclusively to applicants who have successfully passed the screening stage.
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We will need you to contribute and participate in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of care and treatment for people with mental health problems.
It is mandatory for you to complete PEACE Teamwork training and other training directly related to the job.
You will work a rotating shift pattern to cover our 24 hour, 7 day a week service. This will be a mixture of Early, Late day shifts and Nights in every four.
If you are successfully shortlisted, our Recruitment Day whichis designed to give you a real feel for life at Oxford Health. You'll have an extended period to meet our teams, learn about our services, and show us what you can do.
The day will include:
- Numeracy/Literacy Test:A short assessment to evaluate your foundational skills.
- Group Activity:An exercise that allows you to demonstrate your collaboration and problem-solving abilities.
- Interview:A chance for us to get to know you better and understand your skills and for you to ask us any questions you have.
- Networking:An opportunity to meet our staff and learn more about the roles, our wards, and our commitment to your professional development.
This is your opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and values we're looking for in our next Healthcare Assistants.
What We Offer
We are committed to investing in our staff and providing a rewarding career path.
- Support & Development:We offer comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure you have everything you need to succeed in your role.
- Flexible Working:We have a range of permanent, full-time, and part-time positions with various shift patterns available. We'll also consider flexible working arrangements.
- A Rewarding Career:This is more than just a jobit's a chance to provide compassionate care and be a critical part of a team that makes a genuine difference in people's lives every day.
Please note that this recruitment day is by invitation only and is open exclusively to applicants who have successfully passed the screening stage.
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Person Specification
Question 1
Essential
- Please describe any experience you have supporting individuals detained under the Mental Health Act in a healthcare setting. If you do not have direct experience, please outline your understanding of the potential challenges of working in this environment and how you would approach them.
Question 2
Essential
- Woodlands House is a secure mental health unit. Please tell us about your experience of working with people with mental health challenges? This can include personal life experience, voluntary work, customer-facing roles or care for family/friends, as well as any formal healthcare experience/education
Question 3
Essential
- Can you describe a situation from your previous role where you had to provide care or complete a complex task under pressure or in a challenging environment? What was the situation, how did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
Question 4
Essential
- Please describe how you would explain important information to a patient who is anxious, agitated or has difficulty understanding. How would you ensure they feel heard and understood, and how would you adapt your approach to meet their needs? If you have a relevant example from your work or education, please include this.
Person Specification
Question 1
Essential
- Please describe any experience you have supporting individuals detained under the Mental Health Act in a healthcare setting. If you do not have direct experience, please outline your understanding of the potential challenges of working in this environment and how you would approach them.
Question 2
Essential
- Woodlands House is a secure mental health unit. Please tell us about your experience of working with people with mental health challenges? This can include personal life experience, voluntary work, customer-facing roles or care for family/friends, as well as any formal healthcare experience/education
Question 3
Essential
- Can you describe a situation from your previous role where you had to provide care or complete a complex task under pressure or in a challenging environment? What was the situation, how did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
Question 4
Essential
- Please describe how you would explain important information to a patient who is anxious, agitated or has difficulty understanding. How would you ensure they feel heard and understood, and how would you adapt your approach to meet their needs? If you have a relevant example from your work or education, please include this.
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.
