Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a healthcare assistant/trainee to join our team in Primrose Lodge, Chester Le Street.
Primrose Lodge is a 15 bedded mixed sex mental health rehabilitation service unit currently based in Chester le Street. The service provides care and treatment to individuals with complex mental health needs and support individuals towards their recovery goals. The services works closely with acute and community colleagues to ensure transitions into the unit or into the community are effective, patient centred and meet the needs of all coming to the Unit.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
Please note, there is ongoing work to relocate Primrose Lodge to Jubilee House in Shildon. The successful post holder will be required to work at the new premise.
Main duties of the job
Working within a person centered approach, you will be part of the multi disciplinary team assessing and identifying patient care needs, you will need excellent communication skills and be able to form therapeutic relationship with our service users. You must be able to show empathy, compassion, understanding and patience. The post hours will comprise of long days and nights, including weekend's.
The successful candidate must have completed the Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 2 or equivalent. Candidates must also have Literacy and Numeracy level 2 or equivalent and must complete the Trust Healthcare Assistant competencies within their probationary period (first 6 months in role).
The successful candidates who do not have the required qualifications will be expected to enrol on the Healthcare Assistant Framework which will include the acquisition of the level 2 Diploma Health and Social Care, level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy or equivalent and achievement of competencies. You will have a maximum of 2 years to complete this.
About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Maintains safety, privacy and dignity of all patients in the delivery of patient centred care recognising and respecting differences including spiritual and cultural beliefs.
Responsible for recognising the signs of patient harm, abuse or neglect, including poor clinical practice, identifying issues regarding the safeguarding of children who may be at risk and reporting all such concerns in accordance with Trust Safeguarding procedures.
Contributes to the creation of a physical and psychological environment conducive to the provision of high quality care.
Assists patients in developing their skills and independence in line with their recovery goals.
Undertakes delegated activities within level of own competency to assist with the implementation of intervention plans as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
Patients have a range of mental health conditions, may demonstrate behaviours that challenge and may have difficult family situations of relevance.
Completes patient assessment tools and accurately summarises within patient care records.
Participates in the therapeutic engagement and observation of patients asdelegated.
Identifies changes in patients presentation and acts, reports and recordsappropriately.
Regularly accompanies and provides support to patients away from the clinical area, as delegated and dependent on current risk assessment. This includes social inclusion/community integration/transfer to and from appropriate areas e.g. acute hospitals, dentist etc. Drives Trust vehicles as and when required, if licensed.
Accurately records and reports physiological observations (e.g. temperature, blood pressure, pulse, weight).
All applicants are welcome and encouraged to visit the unit, either before submitting your application or before interview.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Maintains safety, privacy and dignity of all patients in the delivery of patient centred care recognising and respecting differences including spiritual and cultural beliefs.
Responsible for recognising the signs of patient harm, abuse or neglect, including poor clinical practice, identifying issues regarding the safeguarding of children who may be at risk and reporting all such concerns in accordance with Trust Safeguarding procedures.
Contributes to the creation of a physical and psychological environment conducive to the provision of high quality care.
Assists patients in developing their skills and independence in line with their recovery goals.
Undertakes delegated activities within level of own competency to assist with the implementation of intervention plans as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
Patients have a range of mental health conditions, may demonstrate behaviours that challenge and may have difficult family situations of relevance.
Completes patient assessment tools and accurately summarises within patient care records.
Participates in the therapeutic engagement and observation of patients asdelegated.
Identifies changes in patients presentation and acts, reports and recordsappropriately.
Regularly accompanies and provides support to patients away from the clinical area, as delegated and dependent on current risk assessment. This includes social inclusion/community integration/transfer to and from appropriate areas e.g. acute hospitals, dentist etc. Drives Trust vehicles as and when required, if licensed.
Accurately records and reports physiological observations (e.g. temperature, blood pressure, pulse, weight).
All applicants are welcome and encouraged to visit the unit, either before submitting your application or before interview.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma in Health and Social Care level 2 or equivalent or must be achieved within 2 years of commencement in post for Trainee
- Care Certificate or must be achieved within 12 weeks of commencement in post for Trainee
- Key skills in Literacy and Numeracy level 2 or must be achieved within 2 years of commencement in post.
- Successful completion of Trust's full HCA Framework within 6 month probationary period or Trainee must achieve successful completion of the Trust's full HCA Framework within 2 years of commencement in post
Qualifications
Essential
- Previous experience as a Band 2/3 HCA or equivalent in a care environment.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with people with mental/social health needs.
Knowledge
Essential
Skills
Essential
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Competency in record keeping
personal attributes
Essential
- Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers.
- Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma in Health and Social Care level 2 or equivalent or must be achieved within 2 years of commencement in post for Trainee
- Care Certificate or must be achieved within 12 weeks of commencement in post for Trainee
- Key skills in Literacy and Numeracy level 2 or must be achieved within 2 years of commencement in post.
- Successful completion of Trust's full HCA Framework within 6 month probationary period or Trainee must achieve successful completion of the Trust's full HCA Framework within 2 years of commencement in post
Qualifications
Essential
- Previous experience as a Band 2/3 HCA or equivalent in a care environment.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with people with mental/social health needs.
Knowledge
Essential
Skills
Essential
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Competency in record keeping
personal attributes
Essential
- Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers.
- Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team
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.
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.
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).
