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Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Health Care Assistant - Peter Bruff Unit, Colchester

The closing date is 02 April 2026

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Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 Health Care Assistant to join the adult in-patient service at the Peter Bruff Assessment Unit.

The role will be to assist the professional team in providing care for patients in an in-patient assessment environment. Under supervision of qualified team memberyou will also implement and assist with the evaluation of individual plans of care.

It is a requirement of this position to participate in a flexible rostering arrangement to provide 24-hour care.

**Please note this vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received**

Please note this vacancy requires a face to face interview with the Recruiting Manager. Applicants that are unable to attend a face to face interview need not apply.

Main duties of the job

  • To fulfill the role of Co-Worker under the supervision of a qualified nurse/clinician.
  • To deliver planned care to service users identified by the nominated professional.
  • Assist qualified staff in the physical monitoring of a patient's health, including monitoring of blood pressure, pulse , temperature, respiration, weight, drug and alcohol screening ( after appropriate training).
  • Assist senior staff in the planning and delivery of therapeutic and social activities for patients in the clinical area.
  • To participate, where appropriate, in the initial assessment of the service user's problems, planning, implementation and evaluation of interventions, as required, ensuring that the service users physical, psychological and social needs are taken into account at all times.
  • To deliver effective individualised care in response to service user's needs under the supervision of the nominated professional, providing a range of supportive interventions
  • To ensure clear and concise documentation of individual service user care in all service user's files and that these are stored according to local policy.
  • Observe and report changes in the service user's physical condition or mental health to the nominated professional.
  • Contribute to the management and support of patient who exhibit challenging behaviour.

Please see job description for full duties for this role.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Details

Date posted

01 April 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

364-A-9880-A

Job locations

Peter Bruff Unit

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5EL


Job description

Job responsibilities

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

  • Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures
  • To participate in the staff appraisal scheme for any staff you manage
  • To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy
  • To provide management supervision where appropriate
  • You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7-day a week, 24-hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts, where appropriate and operationally required.

The above Job Description does not purport to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The post holder will be expected to undertake additional duties as the requirements of the post change.

Previous applicants need not apply. If you have previously applied for this role and your application was not successful you will not be considered during the shortlisting stage.

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

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) brings together key health, care, community, and voluntary sector organisations from across our area. Our aim is to work together in partnership to join up health and care services, improving our populations health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. One such example of this collaborative work is the launch of our HCA Academy, an ICS initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) to support the incoming Health Care assistant (HCA) workforce. The academy models a one workforce cross system approach to the onboarding, induction, education and experience of Healthcare Assistants.

To support this one workforce model the successful candidate for this post will be required to attend our5 day (Monday to Friday) face to face Induction Programme at our MSE ICS Education Hub at Brentwood Community Hospital. Your start date will therefore fall on one of two of the HCA Academy induction dates across the month, which will be discussed and agreed during the recruitment process.

Our HCA Academy Induction programme has been designed to train and support the successful candidate through the early stages of their employment at EPUT and will provide opportunities to enhance skills, knowledge and experience.

Further information will be provided post interview.

This will be followed by an additional 5 day (Monday to Friday) EPUT corporate / mandatory training welcome. (EPUT Welcome will be varied between face to face and virtual delivery).

Job description

Job responsibilities

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

  • Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures
  • To participate in the staff appraisal scheme for any staff you manage
  • To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy
  • To provide management supervision where appropriate
  • You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7-day a week, 24-hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts, where appropriate and operationally required.

The above Job Description does not purport to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The post holder will be expected to undertake additional duties as the requirements of the post change.

Previous applicants need not apply. If you have previously applied for this role and your application was not successful you will not be considered during the shortlisting stage.

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

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) brings together key health, care, community, and voluntary sector organisations from across our area. Our aim is to work together in partnership to join up health and care services, improving our populations health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. One such example of this collaborative work is the launch of our HCA Academy, an ICS initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) to support the incoming Health Care assistant (HCA) workforce. The academy models a one workforce cross system approach to the onboarding, induction, education and experience of Healthcare Assistants.

To support this one workforce model the successful candidate for this post will be required to attend our5 day (Monday to Friday) face to face Induction Programme at our MSE ICS Education Hub at Brentwood Community Hospital. Your start date will therefore fall on one of two of the HCA Academy induction dates across the month, which will be discussed and agreed during the recruitment process.

Our HCA Academy Induction programme has been designed to train and support the successful candidate through the early stages of their employment at EPUT and will provide opportunities to enhance skills, knowledge and experience.

Further information will be provided post interview.

This will be followed by an additional 5 day (Monday to Friday) EPUT corporate / mandatory training welcome. (EPUT Welcome will be varied between face to face and virtual delivery).

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • Level III of National Vocational Qualification Scheme or equivalent experience and commitment to training and development
  • Experience of working with patients with mental health problems
  • Commitment to and attainment of the national Care Certificate no later than 6 months from date of appointment

Desirable

  • Experience of liaising and working within a team
  • National Care Certificate

Knowledge

Essential

  • Basic understanding of mental health conditions and their effect

Desirable

  • An understanding of the roles of multi-professional team members
  • Knowledge of statutory and non-statutory agencies

Skills / Experience

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to self motivate

Desirable

  • Ability to organise individual and group activities
Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • Level III of National Vocational Qualification Scheme or equivalent experience and commitment to training and development
  • Experience of working with patients with mental health problems
  • Commitment to and attainment of the national Care Certificate no later than 6 months from date of appointment

Desirable

  • Experience of liaising and working within a team
  • National Care Certificate

Knowledge

Essential

  • Basic understanding of mental health conditions and their effect

Desirable

  • An understanding of the roles of multi-professional team members
  • Knowledge of statutory and non-statutory agencies

Skills / Experience

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to self motivate

Desirable

  • Ability to organise individual and group activities

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

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Peter Bruff Unit

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5EL


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Peter Bruff Unit

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5EL


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Chelsie Davey

chelsie.davey@nhs.net

01206228954

Details

Date posted

01 April 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

364-A-9880-A

Job locations

Peter Bruff Unit

Turner Road

Colchester

CO4 5EL


Supporting documents

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