Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The post holder will work within Willow Ward, this is an inpatient unit for the assessment and treatment of patients aged 65 and over suffering with mental health problems.

The job includes listening and talking to patients/relatives/carers, observing patients behaviour, providing close observation to ensure patient safety (one to one), encouraging them with eating, drinking, personal hygiene. Involving them in diversional activities, escorting patients out of the unit, dealing with anger (explanations, negotiation and de-escalation) and assisting in the management of violent episodes.

Communicating within the immediate clinical team, with the unit's medical staff, and liaising with a wide range of professionals involved in care. Reporting and documenting observations.

Main duties of the job

  • To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific client group and mental health.
  • To comply with the Professional Codes of Conduct and to be aware of changes in these. To maintain up to date knowledge of all relevant legislation and local policies and procedures implementing this.
  • To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest standard and in accordance with currently quality initiatives within the work area.
  • To comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information and to be aware of any changes in these.
  • To comply at all times with the Trust's Information Governance related policies. Staffs are required to respect the confidentiality of information about staff, patients and Trust business and in particular the confidentiality and security of personal identifiable information in line with the Data Protection Act. All staff are responsible for ensuring that any data created by them is timely, comprehensive, accurate, and fit for the purposes for which it is intended.

About us

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.

Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.

To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.

Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.

For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at www.cpft.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

310-OPAC-7222541

Job locations

Willow Ward

Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge Road

Cambridge

CB21 5EF


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities

  • The post holder will communicate with a range of professional staff, patients, carers and relatives and external agencies as appropriate.
  • The Health Care Assistant/Activity Support Worker is a member of the clinical team and plays a contributory role in facilitating the health and well-being of the patients which may include:
  • Recognising the individuality of the patient and help to meet his or her social, emotional and intellectual needs.
  • Will be involved in the delivery and coordination of ward activities
  • Ensuring that basic physical needs are met, such as adequate diet, hygiene, warmth, comfort and safety.
  • Assisting in planned treatments in accordance with the multi-disciplinary team approach.
  • Providing and receiving routine information to assist in undertaking own job.
  • Health Care and Activity duties required to be undertaken under the direction and/or supervision of a qualified nurse/Occupational Therapist in line with care plans.
  • Performing procedures only after instruction.
  • Developing communication skills with patients/carers and relatives.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities

  • The post holder will communicate with a range of professional staff, patients, carers and relatives and external agencies as appropriate.
  • The Health Care Assistant/Activity Support Worker is a member of the clinical team and plays a contributory role in facilitating the health and well-being of the patients which may include:
  • Recognising the individuality of the patient and help to meet his or her social, emotional and intellectual needs.
  • Will be involved in the delivery and coordination of ward activities
  • Ensuring that basic physical needs are met, such as adequate diet, hygiene, warmth, comfort and safety.
  • Assisting in planned treatments in accordance with the multi-disciplinary team approach.
  • Providing and receiving routine information to assist in undertaking own job.
  • Health Care and Activity duties required to be undertaken under the direction and/or supervision of a qualified nurse/Occupational Therapist in line with care plans.
  • Performing procedures only after instruction.
  • Developing communication skills with patients/carers and relatives.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care; or o Care Certificate plus experience as a Healthcare Support Worker; or o Experience of working as a Healthcare Support Worker

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working with people with mental health problems

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • IT literacy using Microsoft Office
  • Motivated to provide exceptional care

Physical Requirements

Essential

  • Ability to carry out physical interventions.
  • Physically able to undertake a demanding role safely, as and when required.
Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care; or o Care Certificate plus experience as a Healthcare Support Worker; or o Experience of working as a Healthcare Support Worker

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working with people with mental health problems

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • IT literacy using Microsoft Office
  • Motivated to provide exceptional care

Physical Requirements

Essential

  • Ability to carry out physical interventions.
  • Physically able to undertake a demanding role safely, as and when required.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Willow Ward

Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge Road

Cambridge

CB21 5EF


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Willow Ward

Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge Road

Cambridge

CB21 5EF


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Willow Ward Manager

Charlotte Watkins

charlotte.watkins@cpft.nhs.uk

01223219500

Details

Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

310-OPAC-7222541

Job locations

Willow Ward

Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge Road

Cambridge

CB21 5EF


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)