Band 3 Physical Health Care Assistant

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Physical Health Care Assistant to join our Community Mental Health Team. This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of high-quality physical healthcare for adults receiving secondary mental health services.

You will work alongside nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and support staff to improve the physical health and wellbeing of service users with serious mental illness. The role will involve carrying out physical health assessments, monitoring physical health indicators and supporting individuals to access appropriate healthcare services.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake physical health monitoring including blood pressure, pulse, weight, BMI and other routine observations.
• Support the completion of annual physical health checks for service users.
• Perform venepuncture and ECGs (or undertake training where required).
• Record and maintain accurate clinical records in line with Trust policies.
• Support service users to engage with physical health initiatives and healthy lifestyle interventions.
• Liaise with GPs, primary care services and other healthcare professionals as appropriate.
• Escalate concerns regarding a service user's physical or mental health to the appropriate clinician.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision and mandatory training.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To assist in service users care in order to encourage recovery and wellbeing in both, hospital and community settings.
• To assess service users for basic health parameters –core physiological measures- i.e. heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate where appropriate.
• To plan, organise and lead groups independently and unsupervised in the community setting.
• e.g smoking cessation/exercise groups/ healthy lifestyle groups
• To contribute to the client’s physical health care plan, keeping all records up to date and validated by a registered staff member
• To monitor the service users attending groups and report problems with individuals to the physiotherapy staff, GP medical or senior nursing staff for evaluation if they are not comfortable advising the client appropriately.
• To participate in the screening of patients using screening tools developed by supervising clinical staff and clinical working groups.
• To support service users to make healthy lifestyle choices about exercise and nutrition.
• To signpost service users appropriately to community services where needed.
• To be part of any necessary planning or reviewing of treatment progress.
• To use ECG equipment and provide ECG trace readings for review by the medical staff.
• To undertake venepuncture on request or for screening purposes within the health and wellbeing clinic setting.
• Blood Glucose monitoring

To refer clients onto other agencies as appropriate.

For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.

We are unable to support applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work the United Kingdom (UK)

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.