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Job overview
Do you have experience working in a PICU mental health ward?
We are currently recruiting a Healthcare Assistant to join the Ashurst ward. This is an 11 bedded male Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, for those who have acute or severe and enduring mental illnesses, often with co-morbidities, which require treatment which would otherwise not be able to be given in the community or acute ward environment.
Ashurst Ward aim to provide the most intensive nursing care and proactive and effective treatment to promote service users to recover and return to their usual place of residence.
We'll need you to have excellent communication skills with positive attitude. We share a caring, non-judgmental and inclusive attitude, committed to the delivery of safe, high-quality care.
Please note that this recruitment day will be held on Thursday 23rd July 2026 and is invitation only and is open exclusively to applicants who have successfully passed the screening stage.
If you have recently attended or applied to one of our recent recruitment / assessment days please do not reapply as your application will be rejected.
Main duties of the job
All our services are staffed by full multi-disciplinary teams including nurses, doctors, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists, and supported by a variety of other professional colleagues.
As a Healthcare Assistant you’ll contribute and participate in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of care and treatment for people within a healthcare or community setting. You’ll play a vital role in improving patients’ wellbeing.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Personal Care: Assisting patients with daily activities like washing, dressing, and eating.
- Patient Monitoring: Keeping an eye on patient conditions to ensure their comfort and safety.
- Ward Environment: Helping to maintain a clean, welcoming, and safe environment on the ward.
- Communication: Interacting with patients and their families to provide reassurance and support.
Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Recruitment Day: what to expect on the day
If you are successfully shortlisted, our Recruitment Day on Thursday 23rd July 2026 at Unipart House in Oxford is designed to give you a real feel for life at Oxford Health. You'll have an extended period to meet our teams, learn about our services, and show us what you can do.
The day will include:
- Numeracy/Literacy Test: A short assessment to evaluate your foundational skills.
- Group Activity: An exercise that allows you to demonstrate your collaboration and problem-solving abilities.
- Interview: A chance for us to get to know you better and understand your skills and for you to ask us any questions you have.
- Networking: An opportunity to meet our staff and learn more about the roles, our wards, and our commitment to your professional development.
This is your opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and values we're looking for in our next Healthcare Assistants.
What We Offer
We are committed to investing in our staff and providing a rewarding career path.
- Support & Development: We offer comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure you have everything you need to succeed in your role.
- Flexible Working: We have a range of permanent, full-time, and part-time positions with various shift patterns available. We'll also consider flexible working arrangements.
- A Rewarding Career: This is more than just a job—it's a chance to provide compassionate care and be a critical part of a team that makes a genuine difference in people's lives every day.
Please note that this recruitment day is by invitation only and is open exclusively to applicants who have successfully passed the screening stage.
Person specification
Question 3: Patient care
Essential
- Can you describe a time when you had to explain something important to a patient who was confused, anxious, or had difficulty understanding? How did you ensure they felt heard and understood, and how did you adapt your approach to meet their needs?
Question 1: Patient Groups
Essential
- Do you have demonstratable experience working in a PICU mental health ward?
Question 2: Working environment
Essential
- Can you describe a situation from your previous role as a healthcare assistant where you had to provide care under pressure or in a challenging environment? What was the situation, how did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Healthcare Assistant - Ashurst with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust in Oxford, South East, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 12 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (07 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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