Healthcare Assistant
We love what we do and we think you will, too!
At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC), we provide joined-up mental health, physical health and learning disability services to people of all ages across Gloucestershire. We run community hospitals and provide care and support in people’s own homes and in a range of other locations across the county.
We are on a mission to enable people to live the best life they can and we have a vision to work together to provide outstanding care. We put people at the heart of our services, focusing on personalised care by asking ‘what matters to you’.
We’re passionate about making sure that everyone can contribute to achieving our mission and we are continually working to support healthy and happy high-quality teams in all areas of the Trust.
Our application process aims to understand each candidates knowledge, skills and experience. We have found that candidates that use AI to generate their answers can lack specificity and fail to address key criteria outlined in the job description.
It is really important to personalise your application to convey your individual skills, knowledge, and experiences effectively and for us to understand why you are applying for this role with GHC. We discourage over reliance on AI-generated applications as it will lessen your chances of success in securing an interview with us .
Job overview
Laurel House, Adult Mental Health Recovery Unit is seeking a highly motivated and committed band 3 Health Care Assistant.
Laurel House is a 13 bedded mixed unit, which provides care for people with severe and enduring mental health needs, to help support them to become more independent and live fulfilled lives in the community. The ideal candidate for this post will be seeking an opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, with excellent communication skills and a passion for helping those experiencing mental health difficulties.
Main duties of the job
As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service.
We provide a service to our patients 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, so we are looking for flexible people who are committed to working a variety of shift patterns to include night shifts, weekends and bank holidays, all year round.
Working for our organisation
We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust.
The annual NHS Staff Survey gives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust. For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views (58.5%). It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that:
- 89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users;
- 73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work;
- 82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority;
- 76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative
Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant, Social Care Workers and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not.
You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post.This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria- To have successfully completed a ward-based training programme ‘HCA Training Programme’ or other work-based programme equivalent level to Level 3 NVQ
- Significant experience in a mental health inpatient setting (NHS or private provider), Crisis Home Treatment Team which demonstrates work and competencies at NVQ level 3 or equivalent
- Significant experience in working with people with complex mental health needs
- Formal NVQ 3 in relevant health related subject
- Experience of providing social and recreational activities
- Full UK driving licence
Essential and desirable
Essential criteria- To have successfully completed a ward-based training programme ‘HCA Training Programme’ or other work-based programme equivalent level to Level 3 NVQ
- Significant experience in a mental health inpatient setting (NHS or private provider), Crisis Home Treatment Team which demonstrates work and competencies at NVQ level 3 or equivalent
- Formal NVQ 3 in relevant health related subject
- Experience of providing social and recreational activities
When joining us, as well as becoming part of a team that makes a difference, we also offer:
- Free car parking at many of our sites
- 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
- A broad range of training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships up to Level 7 qualification.
- A multi-professional preceptorship programme for all Newly Qualified; Nurses, Nursing Associates, Internationally Educated Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals and Return to Practice Practitioners.
- Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when if you work unsocial hours
- Flexible, family friendly and agile working opportunities
- Recognition and long service awards
- Fast Track physiotherapy
- Our Wellbeing line
- Access to discounts and salary sacrifice schemes; including Cycle to Work, Car scheme and discounts on travel, leisure and retailers.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date. Good luck with your application.
For more information please see the attached 'Additional Information for Applicants' document.