Healthcare Assistant in Ivybridge

Lee Mill Low Secure Unit is a 12-bed male inpatient ward set in the small village of Lee Mill just outside of Plymouth. We provide specialist mental health care for men who have often been involved in the legal system due to their mental health needs. The staff at Lee Mill are passionate about providing the highest level of patient centred care to an often challenging and disadvantaged patient group. The Lee Mill team receives regular positive feedback celebrating our dedication to promote recovery and work collaboratively with our patient group and the kindness and respect demonstrated by the team. In November we won the Livewell Clinical Team of the year award and we receive consistently positive feedback from peer reviews.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, passionate and committed HCA to join our highly motivated team. You will provide day to day support and care under the supervision of the nurse in charge which will make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable people from the South West region. It is an exciting time to join us as Lee Mill is involved in a variety of projects including the focus on Reducing Restrictive Practice and the Culture of Care. We will offer access to further training, including essential training for staff working within secure services, and there are good promotional prospects within the team.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Health Care Assistant is to assist the team in delivering physical, social and psychological care to the service user with mental health problems admitted to the Unit and requiring conditions of security. This may involve contact with relatives, carers and other agencies. They will carry out interventions as part of the care plans and record information using the CPA process. The post holder will be directed to undertake tasks once adequate instruction has been given by the trained nurse and both parties are confident that the task can be fulfilled competently. This will be a ward based role with a recovery focus and an opportunity to accompany service users into the community with the supervision of other staff.

Due to the nature of the role, all staff are required to attend a physical interventions training session to ensure we can meet the needs of our patients and remain effective in maintaining the safety and wellbeing of all. This post covers a 24/7 shift pattern inclusive of nights.

Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline. All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs. As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other. We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co‑production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well. Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority.

We offer:

• Protected CPD time for registered staff
• Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff
• Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship into Nurse Training
• A Robust Preceptorship
• A bespoke induction programme
• Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.

Job responsibilities

• To work under the direction of a registered member of nursing staff, but at times will not have direct supervision within the unit.
• To carry out efficiently and effectively task and instructions assigned by the trained nurse.
• To undertake only those tasks for which she / he has had instruction and is competent to fulfill.
• To maintain confidentiality in respect of the patient / client at all times.
• To be aware of Health and Safety at Work Act and the implications for the work environment.
• To know how to report accidents and untoward incidents and to do so promptly.
• To obtain knowledge of Livewell policies, procedures and practices and carry out duties in accordance with them this will include adherence to Uniform & Dress Code Policy.
• To be aware of legal issues and have an understanding of the Mental Health Act.
• To support community activities in small groups outside of the unit.
• To be an active member of the provision of care to the patient / client.
• Co-facilitate groups with qualified staff and support the therapeutic programme.
• To receive reports on patient care and be able to report back with observations to the nurse in charge within his / her competency.
• Participate in the safe delivery of physical intervention and respond to any untoward incident and undertake associated training.
• To be proficient in the use of seclusion and have a sound knowledge of policy relating to this.
• To be willing to participate actively in appropriate in-service training programmes which the manager believes to be of benefit to the individual.
• To assume co-responsibility for maintaining skills and knowledge levels.
• To assist the registered nurse to carry out, under direction, tasks which fulfill the patients / clients physical and psychological need, as identified in the Care Plan / Assessment.
• To escort patients to other wards / departments or other areas designated by trained staff, which may include the community with other members of the team.
• To contribute to the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating care to service users. This to include participation in case review and assessment for admission / discharge process.
• To make appropriate records in the electronic record system, which will then be counter signed by a registered nurse.
• To assist the patients personal care and record patients observations in accordance with the Care Plan.
• To record and manage patients property and money.
• To undertake specific responsibilities designated by the Ward Manager/unit coordinator.
• To undertake mandatory and other training as directed by the Organisation.
• To participate in continuing role / personal development using the appraisal system.
• To receive line management support and supervision.
• To contribute to any audit process.
• To behave in a manner which does not bring the Organization into disrepute.

This job description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will not take place without consultation between the post holder and his / her manager. This job will be reviewed within the appraisal process on an annual basis. The post holder is required to conform to Livewell policies on Health, Safety, Fire procedures and confidentiality.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Awareness of personal safety
• Confidentiality
• Knowledge of Secure Environment
• Knowledge of recovery principles
• Knowledge of Record Keeping and CPA Policy
• MHA knowledge / awareness
• Continual assessment of patient
• Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills
• Knowledge of solution focused approach
• Knowledge of CPA

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Care or equivalent or relevant health care experience/setting
• Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit with other staff
• Aware of social inclusion role
• Care Certificate
• Ability to work with minimum of supervision
• Time Management
• To undertake baseline physical observations

Skills / Experience

• Experience of Mental Health issues in a work environment
• Effective Communication Skills
• Ability to contribute to the process of and the delivery of high standard of care as planned in care programme
• Ability to participate in activities with patients
• To work rotational shift pattern over 24 hours
• Requirement to train and participate in Physical Intervention training
• Reliable, Motivated & Empathetic
• Confidence in dealing with patients
• Ability to work in stressful conditions
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Positive outlook
• Experience of working with people
• Mental Health experience within an NHS setting
• Working within a Multi Disciplinary Team

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.

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working.