Healthcare Support Worker

Saxon ward is a 22-bedded male adult acute admissions ward at Tameside Hospital in Ashton Under Lyne. We provide short-term care for individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health issues. Our team includes Doctors, Nurses, Healthcare Support Workers, Occupational Therapists, Family Liaison Workers, Activity Coordinators, and Support Staff, all committed to delivering high-quality care to people from the Tameside area. Healthcare Support Workers play a vital role in patient care on Saxon ward. They have the most direct contact with patients and engage with them on a one-to-one basis or in groups. The role is broad and varied, working alongside a wider team of professionals, which provides opportunities for learning and contribution to high standards of care. The position involves working both day and night shifts.

Key Responsibilities of the Post

• Provide safe and effective care.
• Treat patients as individuals and engage them in their own care.
• Strive to deliver outstanding service.
• Understand the ward's vision and the role of the Healthcare Support Worker within the team.
• Engage in ongoing learning and development, including supervision and annual appraisals.
• Contribute to team growth and establish your role within the team.
• Act as an informal leader by setting a positive example for others.

We are proud to offer high-quality mental health and learning disability services across inpatient and community settings in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, and Glossop. Our vision is to foster a happier, more hopeful life for everyone in our communities, and our staff are dedicated to providing the best possible care. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage, or civil partnership. We especially welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of mental illness, either personally or as a carer.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist qualified staff in delivering care, adhering to policies and procedures.
• Promote safety, wellbeing, and interests of patients, staff, and visitors.
• Provide personal care respecting patients' privacy and dignity, following care plans.
• Contribute to care plan discussions with qualified practitioners using your knowledge of the patient and environment.
• Assist with nutrition and hydration, considering dietary requirements.
• Undertake escort duties with patients as directed by qualified staff, including risk-assessed patients with complex needs.
• Engage with patients in activities and duties as per care plans, using your initiative.
• Record patient monitoring data, including observations like temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.
• Perform therapeutic observations and escalate concerns as appropriate.
• Understand the Mental Health Act and support leave for detained patients under supervision.
• Demonstrate good interpersonal skills and maintain a positive attitude with patients and colleagues.
• Maintain ward environment cleanliness and tidiness.
• Accurately document nursing care in notes, to be countersigned by a qualified nurse.
• Monitor the ward environment, using de-escalation techniques to manage challenging behaviours, and escalate as needed.
• Participate in maintaining safety protocols, including security and safeguarding.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and external agencies.
• Assist in safeguarding and property management.
• Participate in staff support and supervision sessions.
• Work flexibly across shifts to meet service needs.
• Familiarize with shift timings and maintain punctuality.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be reviewed in line with service needs.