Health Care Assistant

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are seeking to recruit Band 3 Health Care Assistants that are highly-motivated with an excellent work ethos to join our friendly team. The successful candidate will be based at Seward Lodge in Hertford, caring for older adults who have a diagnosis of Dementia. Previous experience in a health care setting and good computer skills essential. This is the perfect opportunity for those who are looking for a new challenge, enjoy variety in your work and wish to be part of an outstanding team to make a difference to our patients' health care.

Benefits we offer:1. A coaching network where trained coaches throughout the Trust are matched with staff of all disciplines to provide a powerful development opportunity2. Leading company discounts and childcare vouchers3. Salary sacrifice schemes enabling staff to drive a new car or bike - saving on tax and insurance included4. Wellbeing activities - from mindfulness to yoga, pilates and our signature craft club join our monthly programme of regular and special events to support your wellbeing. Discounts, including Nuffield Health and David Lloyd.6. Refer a friend to work for the Trust and receive up to £500! (A payment of £250 will be made when the applicant commences employment with us and a further payment of £250 will be made once they hit 6 months continuous service with us, terms and conditions apply).

Main duties of the job

The Health Care Assistant (Band 3) is the second step on a skills escalator of unregistered practitioners. This level of practitioner will have extensive experience at HCA Band 2/3 with an appreciation and knowledge of unit procedures, competency based clinical observations, is able to organise day to day tasks and activities based on an agreed and allocated work plan.

This role will work with more experienced Registered and Unregistered practitioners providing support to both health and social care professionals, whilst offering support and supervision to band 2 practitioners as required.

The Health Care Assistant role at this level, will be allocated and agreed via plans of care, assessed and evaluated by a registered nurse. They will implement, deliver care under the guidance of registered practitioners supported by a monitored process of on-going supervision and support. This role will be expected to work with ongoing levels of support and supervision as determined via a monitored supervisory process and supported by educational development via the NVQ process.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission

Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Date posted

17 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,329 to £26,958 a year per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAs)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

367-SS-9181

Job locations

Seward Lodge

Lilbourne Drive

Hertford

SG13 7HL

Job description

Job responsibilities

Undertake a range of duties as agreed by unit policies and protocols which involve direct patient care, under monitored supervision.
Assist as instructed in the coordination of care delivery for a case load of patients for those with mental health problems including those with severe, enduring mental illness and Learning Disabilities.
To work through and with the Directorate, psychiatric / learning disability multidisciplinary team, patients and other community agencies as instructed and guided.
Contribute to the monitoring of the physical environment ensuring that it is safe and conducive to the therapeutic work of the unit/community setting, whilst being able to accurately monitor and feedback concerns the registered practitioner.
Have informed knowledge and understanding in the psychological, social, physical and spiritual needs of all patients as guided as agreed in a monitored supervisory framework.
Actively participate and assist in the care and rehabilitation of patients as per the plan of care determined and supervised by a registered practitioner.
To report and feedback concerns within instructed duties, that facilitate timely comprehensive and contemporaneous written clinical records for sign off and oversight by a registered practitioner.
Contribute towards the delivery of care using the recovery approach to provide therapeutic interventions as agreed as part of an ongoing and monitored supervisory framework.
To support recovery outcomes as guided within a clear supervisory framework with a focus on care plans produced and evaluated by a Registered Practitioner.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Undertake a range of duties as agreed by unit policies and protocols which involve direct patient care, under monitored supervision.
Assist as instructed in the coordination of care delivery for a case load of patients for those with mental health problems including those with severe, enduring mental illness and Learning Disabilities.
To work through and with the Directorate, psychiatric / learning disability multidisciplinary team, patients and other community agencies as instructed and guided.
Contribute to the monitoring of the physical environment ensuring that it is safe and conducive to the therapeutic work of the unit/community setting, whilst being able to accurately monitor and feedback concerns the registered practitioner.
Have informed knowledge and understanding in the psychological, social, physical and spiritual needs of all patients as guided as agreed in a monitored supervisory framework.
Actively participate and assist in the care and rehabilitation of patients as per the plan of care determined and supervised by a registered practitioner.
To report and feedback concerns within instructed duties, that facilitate timely comprehensive and contemporaneous written clinical records for sign off and oversight by a registered practitioner.
Contribute towards the delivery of care using the recovery approach to provide therapeutic interventions as agreed as part of an ongoing and monitored supervisory framework.
To support recovery outcomes as guided within a clear supervisory framework with a focus on care plans produced and evaluated by a Registered Practitioner.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

Academic qualifications . NVQ 3

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential

Recognises and reflects on barriers to effective communication, modifying communication in response
Keeps accurate and complete records and communication consistent with legislation, policies and procedures
Demonstrate good verbal presentation skills
Excellent communicator

Desirable

De escalation in managing verbal aggression of disturbed service users

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

Academic qualifications . NVQ 3

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential

Recognises and reflects on barriers to effective communication, modifying communication in response
Keeps accurate and complete records and communication consistent with legislation, policies and procedures
Demonstrate good verbal presentation skills
Excellent communicator

Desirable

De escalation in managing verbal aggression of disturbed service users

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.