Healthcare Assistant

Job summary

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Substance Misuse (SMS) Healthcare Assistant to join the team at HMP YOI Doncaster, a Category B male prison with an operational capacity of around 1,145 inmates, of whom approximately 200 are males aged between 18 and 20 years old. HMP YOI Doncaster is a local resettlement prison in South Yorkshire.

Hours: This is a full‑time role, 37.5 hours per week, working 07:30‑17:30 between Monday and Sunday, usually 4 shifts per week, with approximately 2 weekend shifts per four weeks.

Salary: Annual salary of up to £29,723, depending on experience.

How will we support you?

• Bespoke induction, including our Introducing Health in Justice training course
• Competency framework
• Regional and national career development opportunities
• Our bespoke Learning Management System to support your learning needs

Candidates are required to have a legal right to work in the UK. Due to the nature of the role, offers of employment will be subject to additional vetting and security checks.

Main duties of the job

As our new SMS Healthcare Assistant, your responsibilities will vary and may include:

• Being the face of the SMS team – the first point of contact between the team and patients
• Carrying out observations twice daily on substance‑misuse patients, monitoring withdrawals and escalating to recovery workers or nurses as necessary
• Working on the wings as part of the recovery team, mainly with patients within their first four to five days of custody
• Liaising with other teams (prescribers, recovery workers, etc.) to ensure patients receive the correct medication and care
• Carrying out blood tests and ECGs
• Working closely with patients, listening to them and identifying their needs
• Assisting the primary care team and pharmacy when necessary

Qualifications and experience

• Hold a NVQ Level 2/3 qualification in Health & Social Care, or equivalent
• Have a keen interest in substance misuse
• Have experience within a care setting, ideally from a secure setting or hospital
• Ideally have experience within a Substance Misuse role and knowledge of mental health
• Ideally have clinical experience – bloods, ECGs, etc.
• Have a non‑judgemental and compassionate approach

Benefits

• Company pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave increasing with service up to 28 days per year, plus public bank holidays
• An extensive range of wellbeing and lifestyle benefits
• Discounts on shopping and leisure activities
• Support to grow in your role and continue your professional development
• Excellent long‑term career prospects
• 24/7 employee assistance helpline and financial assistance when needed

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.

Employer details

Practice Plus Group

HMP Doncaster

Marsh Gate, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN5 8UX