Place of Safety Worker / Health Care Assistant in Plymouth

The role of the Nursing Assistant within the Place of Safety will be an autonomous role supporting the co‑ordination of Section 136/135 admissions to the Children and Young Persons Place of Safety Suite (CYP POS) and accompanying the detained person whilst awaiting outcome of assessment. When not required to work in the CYP POS suite, the post holder will be required to work within Plym Bridge in patient Unit. This may be as part of a team nursing complex children and young people with increased levels of observations. 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. However, the trained nurse is required to carry the responsibility for decision making and direction. To assist the trained nurse whilst working on the in‑patient wards in delivering physical, social and psychological care to the patient/client with mental health problems / illness.

Main duties of the job include:

• The role will be a dedicated role relating to the Children and Young People’s place of safety (CYP POS), working closely with the nurse in charge in facilitating activities within the pos suite.
• Working under the direction of a registered member of nursing staff, but at times without direct supervision.
• All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7‑day service.

Job responsibilities:

• Carry out efficiently and effectively tasks and instructions assigned by the trained nurse.
• Undertake only those tasks for which she/he has had instruction and is competent to fulfil.
• Maintain confidentiality in respect of the patient/client at all times.
• Be aware of Health and Safety at Work Act and the implications for the work environment.
• Know how to report accidents and untoward incidents and to do so promptly.
• Obtain knowledge of Livewell’s policies, procedures and practices and carry out duties in accordance with them.
• Be aware of legal issues and have an understanding of the Mental Health Act.
• Support community activities either on a 1:1 basis or in small groups.
• Be an active member of the provision of care to the patient/client.
• Co‑facilitate groups with qualified staff.
• Receive reports on patient care and be able to report back with observations to the nurse in charge within competence.
• Participate in the Plym Bridge response team which responds to any untoward incident and undertake associated training.
• Work within a team providing nursing care to complex patients with increased levels of observations.
• Be willing to participate actively in appropriate in‑service training programmes which the manager believes to be of benefit to the individual.
• Assume co‑responsibility for maintaining skills and knowledge levels.
• 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.
• Escort patients to other departments or other areas designated by trained staff, which may include the community.
• Contribute to the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating care to patients, including participation in case review and assessment for admission/discharge process.
• Make appropriate records in the multi‑disciplinary patient electronic file, which will then be counter‑signed by a registered nurse.
• Assist the patient’s personal care and record patients observations in accordance with the Care Plan.
• Record and manage patients' property.
• Undertake specific responsibilities designated by the Unit Manager.
• Undertake mandatory and other training as directed by the Organisation.
• Participate in continuing role/personal development using the appraisal system.
• Receive line management support and supervision.
• Contribute to any audit process.
• Behave in a manner which does not bring the Organisation into disrepute.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: Vocational Qualification III in Healthcare or ability to demonstrate the ability, skills and knowledge to work at this level.
• 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.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Time Management.
• Knowledge and Skills:
• Awareness of personal safety.
• To undertake baseline physical observations.
• Confidentiality.
• Understanding of the role of the Place of Safety Worker.
• Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit.
• Requirement to restrain and participate in Physical Intervention training and teamwork.
• Motivated, reliable, and confident in dealing with patients.
• Ability to work in stressful conditions.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills.
• Knowledge of solution focused approach.
• Knowledge of CPA.

Experience: Relevant experience of working in a Mental Health setting, or the ability to show relevant experience working within a Multi‑Disciplinary Team.

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.