Mental Health Support Worker
Job overview
Do you want to experience what it’s like working in a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit? Are you looking for a new opportunity to make a real difference to those that need it most?
An exciting opportunity has come up to work within the Male Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) based within St Ann's Hospital as a Mental Health Support Worker.
Haven Male PICU is a 7 bedded male PICU that provides a high level of effective and compassionate care to men who are experiencing the most acute phase of a serious mental disorder. This includes working with individuals presenting with psychotic disorders, mood disorders, complex trauma and personality disorders.We aim to promote a calm and therapeutic approach and environment where our patients are supported by a friendly, skilled and enthusiastic team that enables them to move forwards with their recovery.
We are currently looking for an enthusiastic, confident and caring worker who wishes to work in a fast paced and challenging environment. You will be part of a wonderful multi-disciplinary team that are friendly and passionate about providing the best experience for our service users.
Please be aware that applications from candidates that require sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
Main duties of the job
You will be working within the multi-disciplinary team to provide care and treatment to patients detained under the Mental Health Act using a wide range of nursing interventions working within national guidelines.
This role includes:
- Working under the leadership of a Registered Mental Health Nurse
- Supporting the provision of care to meet patient's needs including physical, psychological and social
- Ensuring the environment is safe and therapeutic when nursing patients with high risk behaviours
- Implementing co-produced and individualised care plans and contribute to evaluation of these interventions
- Lead on and engage patients in a variety of activities both on the ward and off the ward
- Promote freedom of choice, autonomy and least restrictive practice, in a safe and therapeutic environment
If you have the ability to interact well with people, are passionate, willing to listen to what they have to say and are interested in learning and applying new skills then we would like to hear from you.
Although experience working within healthcare, specifically mental health, is desirable, we would welcome individuals who do not have this experience. As a team, we can support you to develop yourself and your abilities in support of you becoming a skilled, competent and confident worker within PICU.
Within this role, there is the expectation of you being able to work shifts over the 7 day week, including night shifts.
Working for our organisation
At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference.Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support.If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]
You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.
Person specification
Knowledge, skills and training
Essential criteria- NVQ level 2 or 3 or equivalent level of experience
- Literate / Numerate
Job Specific Experience
Essential criteria- Ability to work in a team
- Good communication skills
- Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- Experience of working within a care setting for a substantial period
Information Technology
Essential criteria- Basic IT keyboard skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training
Additional requirements
Essential criteria- A level of fitness and ability to participate and complete PMVA, Breakaway training and Manual Handling (practice and theory).
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
- Ability to meet contractual requirements and participate in 24 hour care
At Dorset HealthCare we want to offer all our staff the opportunity to work flexibly, putting health and wellbeing first, whilst continuing the delivery of excellent patient care. Flexible working looks different for everyone and we welcome applicants to discuss flexible working opportunities with the recruiting manager.
What working for us will provide:
- 27 days of annual leave, rising to 33 over ten years (for staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions)
- Excellent NHS pension scheme
- Health and wellbeing services
- Flexible working options, including family-friendly hours
- Free training and one-to-one career coaching to reach your career goals
- Preceptorship programme for newly qualified nurses and AHPs
- Access to nine staff networks – have a voice and transform our Trust
- Relocation costs where applicable
- Salary sacrifice scheme opportunities – including childcare vouchers, car lease and cycle scheme, home technology equipment, and buying annual leave
- NHS discounts to save on your shopping, gym membership and more
Visit our careers website to learn more about our culture, staff stories, benefits, development programmes and opportunities.
What you need to do:
Before applying for this post, please do ensure that you have read the job description and person specification requirements. If you think you have everything we're looking for, then we'd love to hear from you, alternatively if you would like more information about the role please do not hesitate to contact us.
Regrettably, we are not able to offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you attempt to apply for a role that we do not offer sponsorship for, you will receive notification of this at the time of starting your application and you will not be able to proceed.At this point, we wish to thank you for your interest in working for us and apologise we cannot take your application any further.
Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Further guidance can be found on the gov.uk website. It is vital that you provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form.Overseas applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)