Healthcare Assistant in Cheltenham

We love what we do and we think you will, too!

At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC), we provide joined-up mental health, physical health and learning disability services to people of all ages across Gloucestershire. We run community hospitals and provide care and support in people’s own homes and in a range of other locations across the county .

We are on a mission to enable people to live the best life they can and we have a vision to work together to provide outstanding care . We put people at the heart of our services, focusing on personalised care by asking ‘what matters to you ’.

We’re passionate about making sure that everyone can contribute to achieving our mission and w e are continually working to support healthy and happy high-quality team s in all areas of the Trust .

Our application process aims to understand each candidates knowledge, skills and experience. We have found that candidates that use AI to generate their answers can lack specificity and fail to address key criteria outlined in the job description.

It is really important to personalise your application to convey your individual skills, knowledge, and experiences effectively and for us to understand why you are applying for this role with GHC. We discourage over reliance on AI-generated applications as it will lessen your chances of success in securing an interview with us .

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Health Care Assistant at Charlton Lane Hospital. Charlton Lane Hospital provides inpatient assessment and care for mental health service users requiring hospital admission for treatment across 3 in-patient wards: Chestnut Ward, is a 14 bedded ward for Older age Adults that have a functional mental illness; Mulberry ward, is an 18 bedded ward for older age adults that have a functional mental illness and Willow Ward, is a 16 bedded ward for predominantly older adults with an organic mental illness.

It would be desirable for the post holder to have experience in caring for elderly, facilitation of positive engagement and activities with people with mental illness. The successful candidate would be supported by the unit manager in taking mandatory and statutory training. Upon commencing your post, you will participate in a comprehensive trust and unit induction which ensures that you feel skilled and supported to undertake this challenging job.

The posts are funded at 37.5 hours per week (full time) and could involve rotational shift system. ‘Flexible’ working arrangements will be considered. Any request will be set against genuine operational requirements and limitations and it is not obligatory for a manager to accede to the request.

If you do not hear from us within three weeks of the closing date you have probably not been shortlisted. We are sorry we are unable to let you know the outcome of your application.

Main duties of the job

As a Health Care Assistant you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistants employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not. You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards.

Working for our organisation

At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, we are supportive of the people we care for and aim to provide a fully responsive service to everyone who needs it. This is the same approach we take for our employees. We look to value the skills and experiences of those we work with, whether they are service users, carers, families or those looking to work with us.

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is part of the NHS. We treat NHS patients according to NHS principles and standards. The difference is the Trust is accountable to local people, rather than to Government, and so we are able to work closely with our community to develop services in the way that best suits the needs of local people.

Our Staff Survey results showed people at our Trust feel they are engaged, part of a team and work for a compassionate and inclusive organisation.

Our overall scores were better than average in eight of nine themes and level in one - the best overall results for a community, mental health and learning disabilities Trust in the south west and first equal amongst all sector NHS providers within the region too.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As a Health Care Assistant you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistants employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not.

You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.

Gloucestershire Health and Care is committed to embedding and providing personalised care through all of its services as part of our high-quality care strategy. The purpose of personalised care is to empower people to lead the lives they want to live. Personalised care starts with a conversation with people about what matters to them. It builds on what people can do, as well as addressing their health needs. Including new ways of working and delivering care, emphasising that we need to make effective use of the full range of our people’s skills and experience to deliver the best possible patient care. So we want to know What Matters to You and that you will share our values and join us on this very important journey.

To support compliance with UK immigration requirements, all applicants who require a visa to work in the UK must disclose their visa history in full. This includes current and previous sponsors, dates of sponsorship, visa category, and any changes of employment. If you are on a Graduate or Dependant Visa, please disclose the expiry date on your application. Incomplete information may mean we are unable to consider your application.

The Trust is required to work in line with the Government’s UK Visa and Immigration Rules and Regulations. For more information about sponsorship for certain roles, please visit - https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

Person specification

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of competency based training in a relevant health or social care area
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Outlook

Length and/or Nature of Experience

• Experience of working in a mental health or social care setting
• Significant experience of working in a team and independently
• Experience of lone working and decision making
• Experience of providing social and recreational activities

Professional/Managerial/Specialist Knowledge

• Knowledge of mental illness or learning disabilities and its impact on the Individual
• Knowledge of how mental illness has an impact on motivation, social skills and activities and on the individual and their families
• Understanding of the basic principles of Infection Control

Personal Skills Abilities and Attributes

• Good communication skills both written and verbal
• Confidentiality and integrity
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to manage time and plan / prioritise work efficiently and effectively
• Ability to show empathy and deal in a sensitive and tactful way when communicating with clients and carers
• Ability to use own initiative
• Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training including Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression Positive Behavioural Management (PBM)/Breakaway (subject to Occupational Health clearance)
• Full driving licence

When joining us, as well as becoming part of a team that makes a difference, we also offer:

• Free car parking at many of our sites
• 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
• A broad range of training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships up to Level 7 qualification.
• A multi-professional preceptorship programme for all Newly Qualified; Nurses, Nursing Associates, Internationally Educated Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals and Return to Practice Practitioners.
• Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when if you work unsocial hours
• Flexible, family friendly and agile working opportunities
• Recognition and long service awards
• Fast Track physiotherapy
• Access to discounts and salary sacrifice schemes; including Cycle to Work, Car scheme and discounts on travel, leisure and retailers.

If you are aged 16-30, you may be eligible for financial and pastoral support from the King’s Trust, with who we are in partnership with to support your first 6 months in role. We will pass on your details to the King’s Trust who will be in touch with you if you are eligible. If you would rather not be contacted, please let us know.

For more information please see the attached 'Additional Information for Applicants' document.

Good luck with your application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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