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- Tasks: Join us as a Healthcare Assistant, providing care in a dynamic prison environment.
- Company: Practice Plus Group is the UK's leading independent provider of NHS services in secure settings.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a pension scheme, and discounts on shopping and leisure activities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your skills in a supportive and diverse team.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care preferred; experience in care settings is a plus.
- Other info: Full-time role with varied shifts; career development opportunities available.
The predicted salary is between 24669 - 28690 £ per year.
About The Role
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Healthcare Assistant to join the team at HMP Preston, a Category B male prison in Preston city centre with a capacity of around 750. This is a fantastic opportunity to join the team and work in a varied environment, where you will gain experience across primary care, including emergency response, working on the wings, clinics, health promotion, and more! No 2 days are the same in this challenging, yet rewarding and supportive environment.
Hours: This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, working a variety of shifts between Monday and Sunday. This role involves working every other weekend. You will work on a 2-week rota, 3 long shifts per week. Although night shifts aren’t part of the rota, you need to be prepared to work these occasionally to cover sickness and annual leave.
Salary: This position is full-time, you’ll receive an annual salary of £24,669 - £28,690 per annum - 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 address your learning needs
- Support from the wider team
Candidates are required to have a legal right to work in the UK and due to the nature of the role, offers of employment will be subject to additional vetting and security checks.
What you’ll be doing
As our new Healthcare Assistant, your responsibilities will vary. Some of your duties will include:
- Work across primary care and substance misuse, including clinics, primary care, health promotion, bloods, wound care etc.
- Carry out reception duties, reviewing new patients to the prison and assessing, including obs, urine samples etc.
- Be involved in the release and transfer of patients
- Be involved in bloods and vaccinations clinics
- Respond to emergency situations as necessary
- Carry out physical care and end of life care as necessary
- Ensure continuity of care for all patients, and deliver outstanding care at all times
- Contribute to, and implement care packages, assist with health promotion, wellbeing and clinics
If you are interested in career development, we have a wide range of opportunities for you to develop your skills and experience, which include both internal and external options for development and learning.
It doesn’t stop there...
- 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 you need it
What we’ll look for in you
The Health in Justice team at Practice Plus Group makes a real difference across over 53 prisons, young offenders and immigration removal centres. We’re the UK’s leading independent provider of NHS services to over 40,000 patients in secure environments, always putting their needs first, regardless of their background. Practice Plus Group’s purpose is to unlock your best work life and we stand by our core values:
- We treat patients and each other as we would like to be treated
- We act with integrity
- We embrace diversity
- We strive to do things better together
We are looking for caring, compassionate but also driven professionals who can help us drive our vision for fair and inclusive healthcare access to all.
Our new Healthcare Assistant will:
- Ideally hold a NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care
- Have experience in a care setting previously - ideally from a hospital or prison setting, experience within A&E would be beneficial
- Any experience in a prison/secure setting or hospital would be a bonus!
- Have a non-judgemental and compassionate approach - we want someone who really cares about others, and wants to make a difference
Secure environments are one of the most challenging, yet rewarding places for healthcare professionals to work. If you’re looking for a role where you can develop your existing healthcare skills and learn something new every day in an environment that never stands still, then this could be the right opportunity for you.
Healthcare Assistant employer: Practice Plus Group
Contact Detail:
Practice Plus Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Healthcare Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the unique challenges of working in a secure environment like a prison. Understanding the dynamics and potential issues can help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former Healthcare Assistants in similar settings. They can provide valuable insights and tips that could give you an edge in your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight any relevant experience you have in emergency response or primary care. Being able to demonstrate your ability to handle high-pressure situations will be crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the values and mission of Practice Plus Group. Aligning your personal values with theirs during discussions can show your commitment to their vision and enhance your chances of landing the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Healthcare Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in healthcare settings, especially if you have worked in prisons or secure environments. Emphasise any qualifications like NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care and specific skills related to primary care and emergency response.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for making a difference in healthcare. Mention your understanding of the unique challenges faced in a prison environment and how your compassionate approach aligns with the values of the organisation.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, be sure to detail any previous roles that involved patient care, particularly in challenging environments. Discuss specific duties you performed that relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description, such as wound care or health promotion.
Showcase Your Commitment to Development: Express your eagerness for professional growth and development in your application. Mention any training or courses you have completed that are relevant to the role, and your willingness to engage in further learning opportunities offered by the company.
How to prepare for a job interview at Practice Plus Group
✨Understand the Environment
Familiarise yourself with the unique challenges and dynamics of working in a prison setting. Research HMP Preston and be prepared to discuss how you would handle various situations that may arise in such an environment.
✨Showcase Your Compassion
Demonstrate your caring and compassionate nature during the interview. Share examples from your past experiences where you made a positive impact on someone's life, especially in a healthcare or care setting.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
If you have experience in a healthcare role, particularly in a secure environment, make sure to highlight this. Discuss specific duties you've performed that relate to the responsibilities of a Healthcare Assistant, such as wound care or emergency response.
✨Prepare Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role and the team. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Consider asking about training opportunities and team dynamics.
