Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 09 February 2026

Job summary

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: UK VISA & IMMIGRATION under the section below 'Working for our Organisation'

Chorley General HospitalAvenham Psychiatric Intensive Care UnitPermanent Posts

Do you have excellent communication skills that would enable you to work within a challenging inpatient mental health unit that constantly strives to provide the best possible experience for our service users and their carers?

We have a permanent opportunity for a compassionate, respectful and enthusiastic team player committed to promoting excellence, teamwork and accountability to join the Chorley Inpatient Mental Health Service.

Our aim is to make a person's stay in hospital as short as possible and to ensure that their experience is a positive one. This will be achieved by creating the right environment and delivering the right interventions in the right place at the right time.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals with excellent interpersonal qualities. The successful candidate must be willing to work flexibly in a fast paced environment, have a positive outlook and knowledge of the value of activity and occupation on mental wellbeing. In addition, a key priority is to ensure the delivery of a quality service, which genuinely engages with service users, carers and other stakeholders.

If you would like to discuss this post further or would like to arrange an informal visit please contact us using the details provided

Main duties of the job

Applications are invited from people who have previous experience of working within mental health or people focused roles. You must be able to demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the issues that contribute to individuals experiencing mental health difficultiesIn return, we are committed to staff development and provide encouragement and support to staff to continue their lifelong learning.

We are also passionate about the supervision process. You will be expected to participate in the process for yourself and provide support to others as appropriate.

Whilst working on the Mental Health Unit you will be required to:

Work as an Integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), working within a rotational shift system to support patients according to their care needs, some of whom may present with problematic or challenging behaviour.

Contribute to, and participate in the on- going support of patients and their carers. Contribute to the protection of patients, from abuse. Contribute to the health, safety and security of patients and their environment. Obtain, transmit and store information relating to the delivery of a care service.

About us

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: UK VISA & IMMIGRATION

In line with recent UK Government updates, which came into effect 9 April 2025, the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas, including the Health and Care Visa route, has increased to £25,000 per year. This applies to roles paid in accordance with NHS pay bands, meaning entry-level Band 3 positions no longer meet the criteria for sponsorship.

Applications from individuals on a Student Visa or Graduate Route Visa cannot be progressed, as this role does not meet the current UKVI requirements for sponsorship within these visa categories.

Therefore - If you require visa sponsorship to work in the UK, we will not be able to progress your application on this occasion. All applicants must have the unrestricted right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.

If you have current sponsorship, we will need evidence of 12 months Right to Work in the UK, please provide full details within your application (including VISA Type and duration).

Entry-level Band 3 roles do not meet the visa requirements and are therefore not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants requiring sponsorship will be asked to confirm eligibility during the process.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Date posted

30 January 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

351-CEN2411-EB

Job locations

PICU Avenham Ward

Chorley

PR7 1PP

Job description

Job responsibilities

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If youd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If youd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level III or Higher in Health and Social Care or QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care or an Interest in completing the above training or can demonstrate the equivalent skills and knowledge gained through work (paid/unpaid)

Knowledge

Essential

Demonstrates an understanding of the issues surrounding mental illness
Understands their duties and responsibilities under the Data Protection Act with regard to patient confidentiality

Experience

Essential

Working in a caring environment. For example, nursing home, care home, hospital ward, home carer etc.
Working as part of a team
Up to date or working knowledge of de-escalation techniques, Control and restraint and Management of Violence and Aggression (MOVA)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level III or Higher in Health and Social Care or QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care or an Interest in completing the above training or can demonstrate the equivalent skills and knowledge gained through work (paid/unpaid)

Knowledge

Essential

Demonstrates an understanding of the issues surrounding mental illness
Understands their duties and responsibilities under the Data Protection Act with regard to patient confidentiality

Experience

Essential

Working in a caring environment. For example, nursing home, care home, hospital ward, home carer etc.
Working as part of a team
Up to date or working knowledge of de-escalation techniques, Control and restraint and Management of Violence and Aggression (MOVA)

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

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

PICU Avenham Ward

Chorley

PR7 1PP

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

PICU Avenham Ward

Chorley

PR7 1PP

Employer's website

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