Healthcare Assistant | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Basildon

We have an exciting opportunity for a Healthcare Assistant to work on our Female Acute Inpatient Ward (Cherrydown) at Basildon Mental Health Unit. You will be responsible for assisting the professional team in providing care for patients in an inpatient environment. Working from time to time without direct supervision but under the supervision of a qualified team member, you will implement and assist with the evaluation of individual plans of care for patients and in their management and care under the guidance of the Ward Manager.

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 as appropriate and as rostered. In delivering your duties you are expected to display behaviours that are aligned with the Trust values and as required in accordance with the NHS Constitution at all times.

• Maintain relationships with patients, their relatives and other carers as well as with members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Implement prescribed nursing care to patients, fulfil the role of Associate/Co Worker under the supervision of a qualified nurse/clinician.
• Report and record the results of implemented plans of care.
• Contribute to the management and support of patients who exhibit challenging behaviour.
• Assist patients with Activities of Daily Living; including personal hygiene, dietary intake etc. with due regard to the philosophy of “normalisation”.
• Help individuals to maintain independence from others by assisting the development of daily living, domestic, communication and social skills.
• Assist qualified staff in the physical monitoring of a patient’s health.
• Undertake whatever duties are necessary to maintain a safe environment free from unnecessary hazards.

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.

27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service. Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay. Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits. 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 is available from day one for most roles. Job share applications for job shares are welcomed.

• Contribute to maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment for patients, relatives, carers and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of information according to Trust policy.
• Ensure that the patient’s dignity and privacy is maintained.
• Ensure effective communication with patients, carers, visitors and staff.
• Under the direction of qualified staff, fulfil the link roles for specified areas as required under supervision i.e. infection control, health and safety.
• When necessary, accompany/escort patients both inside and outside of the hospital as directed by senior staff.
• Monitor supplies of laundry, emergency clothing and toiletries.
• Report and document incidents as required.
• Report all malfunctions, shortages and inadequacies of equipment and supplies to senior staff.
• Co-operate with senior staff to report and investigate incidents such as complaints and accidents and ensure that appropriate documentation is completed.
• Take part in service development and review.
• Ensure the service meets the agreed performance/contractual targets and adheres to local and government initiatives.
• Undertake and complete training relevant to the national Care Certificate competency framework.

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.
• Participate in the staff appraisal process and undertake for any staff you manage.
• Keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy.
• Provide management supervision where appropriate.

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 population’s health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities.

One such example of this collaborative work is the launch of our HCA Academy, an ICD 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 our 5 day (Monday to Friday) face to face Induction Programme at our MSEICS 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).