Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 19 March 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Health Care Assistant at Charlton lane Hospital. The Charlton Lane Hospital provides inpatient assessment and care for mental health service users requiring hospital admission for treatment across 3 in-patient wards: Chestnut Ward, is a 14 bedded ward for Older age Adults that have a functional mental illness; Mulberry ward, is an 18 bedded ward for older age adults that have a functional mental illness and Willow Ward, is a 16 bedded ward for predominantly older adults with an organic mental illness.

It would be desirable for the post holder to have experience in caring for elderly, facilitation of positive engagement and activities with people with dementia. The successful candidate would be supported by the unit manager in taking mandatory, statutory and dementia training.Upon commencing your post, you will participate in a comprehensive trust and unit induction which ensures that you feel skilled and supported to undertake this challenging job.

The posts are funded at 37.5 hours per week (full time) and involve rotational shift system. 'Flexible' working arrangements will be considered. Any request will be set against genuine operational requirements and limitations and it is not obligatory for a manager to accede to the request.

If you do not hear from us within three weeks of the closing date you have probably not been shortlisted. We are sorry we are unable to let you know the outcome of your application.

Main duties of the job

As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not. You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards.

The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Please refer to the Additional Information attachment before submitting your application

About us

We have a skilled and dedicated workforce of over 5000 colleagues working in a diverse range of services over 55 sites and within people's homes. We strive to enable a welcoming workplace culture that builds and celebrates civility,inclusivity and diversity, while providing a sense of belonging and trust

Annual staff surveys, regular Pulsesurveysand other engagement opportunities provide our people with lots of opportunity to tell us about their experiences of working with us.In the latest staff survey, 61% of colleagues gave us their views.It was great to hear that:

  • 72% of colleagues would recommend the Trust as a place to work, ranking us 1st for Provider Trusts in the South Westregion on this question.
  • 76% would recommend the standard of care provided in our services if a friend or relative needed treatment, also ranking us 1st in the South Westregion.
  • 81% said that care of patients and service users is the Trust's priority, compared with an average in comparable NHS Trusts in England of 64%.

This high-level overview shows we are in a healthy position, with higher scores than average for comparable organisations, alongside a great response rate,indicatinggood staffengagement.However, we also know we have plenty of room for improvement in many areas. To that end, we continue to prioritise and invest in our commitment to genuinely becoming a Great Place to Work with consistent top-quartile performance in the annual staff survey and Pulse surveys.

Details

Date posted

13 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

327-26-188

Job locations

Charlton Lane Hospital

Charlton Lane

Cheltenham

GL53 9DZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.

  • To assist qualified staff in the provision of nursing care (including health promotion) as detailed in individual care plans.
  • Participate in the performing of appropriate tasks necessary to meet the needs of the ward / unit
  • Assist service users outside the unit / ward environment to establish and maintain social contacts for extended periods without supervision from qualified staff (including driving Trust vehicles)
  • To undertake tasks that facilitate the smooth running of the unit / ward in liaison with qualified staff including the preparation and delivery of social, sports and recreational activities for unit / ward patients
  • In the exceptional absence of qualified staff, to manage the ward for periods of no more than 40 minutes (this does not apply to all inpatient units)
  • Accurately record patient information
  • To work collaboratively with Hotel Services and other departments to ensure that the unit / ward environment is clean, tidy and welcoming

As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you willbe responsible forparticipatingandassistingin the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant, Social Care Workers and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not.

You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and berequiredto meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will alsohave the opportunity todiscuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship as per the Governments UK VISA and Immigration Rules and Regulations. For moreinformationplease visithttps://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

Job description

Job responsibilities

All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.

  • To assist qualified staff in the provision of nursing care (including health promotion) as detailed in individual care plans.
  • Participate in the performing of appropriate tasks necessary to meet the needs of the ward / unit
  • Assist service users outside the unit / ward environment to establish and maintain social contacts for extended periods without supervision from qualified staff (including driving Trust vehicles)
  • To undertake tasks that facilitate the smooth running of the unit / ward in liaison with qualified staff including the preparation and delivery of social, sports and recreational activities for unit / ward patients
  • In the exceptional absence of qualified staff, to manage the ward for periods of no more than 40 minutes (this does not apply to all inpatient units)
  • Accurately record patient information
  • To work collaboratively with Hotel Services and other departments to ensure that the unit / ward environment is clean, tidy and welcoming

As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you willbe responsible forparticipatingandassistingin the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant, Social Care Workers and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not.

You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and berequiredto meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will alsohave the opportunity todiscuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship as per the Governments UK VISA and Immigration Rules and Regulations. For moreinformationplease visithttps://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of competency based training in a relevant health or social care area

Desirable

  • European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

LENGTH AND / OR NATURE OF EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Significant experience of working in a mental health or social care setting
  • Significant experience of working in a team and independently
  • Experience in the assessment of patients

Desirable

  • Experience of lone working and decision making
  • Experience of providing social and recreational activities

PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL / SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Knowledge of mental illness or learning disabilities and its impact on the Individual
  • Knowledge of how mental illness has an impact on motivation, social skills and activities and on the individual and their families
  • Knowledge and understanding of risk assessment and management obtained through formal in-house training course
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Care Pathway Approach (CPA)
  • Awareness of issues surrounding diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
  • Understanding of the basic principles of Infection Control
Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of competency based training in a relevant health or social care area

Desirable

  • European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

LENGTH AND / OR NATURE OF EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Significant experience of working in a mental health or social care setting
  • Significant experience of working in a team and independently
  • Experience in the assessment of patients

Desirable

  • Experience of lone working and decision making
  • Experience of providing social and recreational activities

PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL / SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Knowledge of mental illness or learning disabilities and its impact on the Individual
  • Knowledge of how mental illness has an impact on motivation, social skills and activities and on the individual and their families
  • Knowledge and understanding of risk assessment and management obtained through formal in-house training course
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Care Pathway Approach (CPA)
  • Awareness of issues surrounding diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
  • Understanding of the basic principles of Infection Control

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

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Charlton Lane Hospital

Charlton Lane

Cheltenham

GL53 9DZ


Employer's website

https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/who-we-are/jobs/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Charlton Lane Hospital

Charlton Lane

Cheltenham

GL53 9DZ


Employer's website

https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/who-we-are/jobs/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Suzy Ford

Suzy.Ford@ghc.nhs.uk

03004215500

Details

Date posted

13 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

327-26-188

Job locations

Charlton Lane Hospital

Charlton Lane

Cheltenham

GL53 9DZ


Supporting documents

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