At a Glance
- Tasks: Support patients in a mental health setting, ensuring their safety and well-being.
- Company: Join Berkshire Healthcare, an outstanding NHS trust dedicated to mental health and community care.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, 27 days annual leave, and discounts at popular retailers.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus experience as a Band 2 Support Worker in mental health.
- Other info: We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds; flexibility is encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Healthcare Assistant looking to progress your mental health career pathway? Our Acute Wards at Prospect Park Hospital can offer you a great environment that will enable you to develop your skills & confidence. Our flexible working patterns of short days (7.5hrs), long days (12hrs) & nights (10.75hrs) give colleagues options that support an improved work life balance.
We are currently recruiting for the following wards:
- Place of Safety (POS): Our pre-admission and assessment unit
- Daisy: Male-only acute mental health ward
- Rose: Mixed-gender acute ward
- Sorrel: Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
- Rowan: specialise in the care of older adults
- Orchid: specialise in the care of older adults
Prospect Park Hospital is based in Reading, located close to the amenities of the town centre and a leafy park. The ward works closely with patients, families and wider organisations to help them to identify their needs and participate actively in their care, providing a place of empathy, kindness and compassion. We have created a culture where everyone has a voice and where service users and staff collaborate to make positive change.
With your clinical experience we are looking for someone that has a passion for caring, great communication skills and the resilience to help transform our patient's lives. You will be working alongside a wide range of multi-disciplinary professionals, all striving to achieve positive outcomes for services users.
Main duties of the job:
- Assist in the provision of care of patients.
- To work in support of the qualified nurses and be directed and supervised by them to undertake assigned tasks.
- Develop and maintain a good working relationship with patients through regular contact and ensure their safety and well-being.
- To offer support and mentoring to more junior nursing assistants.
- Ensure the confidentiality of patients and clinical documents at all times.
- Report any complaints, untoward events or incidents to qualified nursing staff, and where appropriate under their supervision, complete the appropriate records.
- To respect the dignity, privacy and independence of patients at all times.
- To be aware of limitation/competences.
- Be involved in discussion on the development of patient centred programmes.
- Be aware of patients on Mental Health Act restrictions and record/report accordingly to qualified staff.
- Promote the work of the ward, the hospital and the Trust at all times.
- To respond to emergency calls under the guidance of qualified staff. This will include Personal alarms, Fire and Cardiac arrest (appropriate training to be undertaken).
About us:
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
- Your wellbeing is important to us.
Some of the benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
- Free parking across Trust site
Job responsibilities:
The must haves for you to be considered for this role:
- Good general education including English and Maths at GCSE Grade C or above
- Previous experience working as a Band 2 Support Worker in a mental health acute care setting
- Good oral and written communication
- Ability to work under pressure
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call Lincoln Cordner on 01189605249 or email: Lincoln.Cordner@berkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification:
Education/Qualifications/Training:
- Essential: Good general education qualifications
- IT Literate
- English and Maths at GCSE grade C or equivalent
- Continuous Professional Development
Previous Experience:
- Essential: Previous experience working as a Band 2 Support Worker in a mental health acute care setting
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Essential: Good oral and written communication
- Desirable: Seeks opportunities to develop within the role
Additional Requirements:
- Desirable: Ability to travel to multiple sites
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: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address: Prospect Park Hospital, Honey End Lane, Reading, RG30 4EJ
Senior Clinical Support Worker employer: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
Lincoln.Cordner@berkshire.nhs.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Clinical Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific wards mentioned in the job description. Understanding the unique needs and challenges of each ward, such as the Place of Safety or the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which you can leverage to tailor your approach when discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in mental health settings, particularly as a Band 2 Support Worker. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've handled challenging situations, as this will showcase your resilience and ability to work under pressure.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your commitment to continuous professional development. Mention any relevant training or courses you've undertaken that align with the role's requirements, as this demonstrates your dedication to improving patient care and your own skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Clinical Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Clinical Support Worker position. Familiarise yourself with the specific wards mentioned in the job description and think about how your experience aligns with their needs.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: In your supporting statement, address each point in the person specification directly. Highlight your previous experience as a Band 2 Support Worker in a mental health acute care setting and demonstrate how your skills meet the essential criteria.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since good oral and written communication is essential for this role, ensure that your application is clear, concise, and free from errors. Use professional language and structure your statements logically to reflect your communication abilities.
Express Your Passion for Care: Make sure to convey your passion for caring and your commitment to improving patient outcomes. Share specific examples from your past experiences that illustrate your dedication to patient care and teamwork within a multi-disciplinary environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
✨Show Your Passion for Mental Health
Make sure to express your genuine interest in mental health care during the interview. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to pursue a career in this field, as it will resonate with the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous roles as a Band 2 Support Worker in mental health settings. Be specific about your responsibilities, the skills you developed, and how they relate to the position you're applying for. This will help the interviewers see your suitability for the role.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since good communication is essential in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might also want to prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with patients and colleagues in past roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle pressure and respond to emergencies. Think of specific situations from your past experience where you successfully managed challenging scenarios, and be ready to explain your thought process and actions.