Healthcare Assistant

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Perinatal Psychiatric Inpatient Team. The Margaret Oates Mother and Baby Unit is located at Greenhaven and cares for women with serious mental illness in the perinatal period.

The Margaret Oates, Mother and Baby Unit has the capacity to admit 8 mothers and their babies. We accept admissions from the whole of the England for mothers with serious mental illness in the third trimester of pregnancy and up to one year post-partum. Babies are admitted with their mothers to build and maintain the mother/infant relationship. The Unit is accreditated by the Perinatal Quality Network.

Main duties

An opportunity has arisen within the Perinatal Inpatient Unit for a full time, 37.5 hours per week, Band 3 Healthcare Assistant post, working a mixture of long days, nights, weekends and Bank Holidays. You will be part of a dedicated MDT delivering high quality care to women and their babies. Experience of working within an acute setting with serious mental illness is preferable, however a full induction programme will be provided. You will be expected to work within the multi-disciplinary team, supporting mothers and their babies, supporting both in the day to day care.

Main duties of the job

This role requires an individual with the ability to provide excellent patient care standards within the clinical area, and work with mothers, who are suffering a severe mental illness, developing and building confidence in interactions with their babies.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To function as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and with the direction of a trained nurse, carry out a range of nursing and non-nursing tasks within required competencies and to assist in the care and support of patients. To report to the trained nursing staff regarding aspects of patient care and the ward environment. Spend time with mothers, and participate in carrying out therapeutic programmes in conjunction with other members of the team. To ensure that patients are supported to retain their dignity, individuality and independence. To be aware of the need for confidentiality and rights of individual patients. Support ante and post-natal women, accessing obstetric services as necessary. Support women with mental health needs during labour and delivery of baby. Be available to work on a 24 hour rolling rota inclusive of day and night shifts.

Please note that this post does not meet the pay level required for a Skilled worker visa.

Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change. This salary is below the minimum salary required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa. In these circumstances the Trust would not, therefore, be able to sponsor for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa.

Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

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.