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Job overview
Are you starting your career in healthcare or looking to take your first step into mental health?
Join our supportive, friendly team as a Health Care Assistant at Wintle or Allen Ward, providing care for people from your local community. This is a rewarding opportunity to build hands-on experience, develop your skills, and make a real difference in people’s lives.
We are keen to encourage applications from people with recent study or transferable experiences – including those who have recently completed a Level 3 qualification in health and social care, or graduates wanting to explore a career in mental healthcare regardless of degree.
Wintle & Allen Wards are both female wards based in Oxford, supporting individuals with enduring mental illness, some of whom have experience with the criminal justice system. Our care is based on the Recovery Model, focusing on strengths, hope, and meaningful engagement, with active family involvement.
If shortlisted, you will be invited to a Recruitment Day to meet the team, learn about our services, and demonstrate your skills. Please note this is by invitation only following successful screening.
Main duties of the job
We are an innovative and dedicated multi-disciplinary team, so you will have the opportunity to work closely with nursing, medical, psychology and occupational therapy team members.
We will need you to be dynamic and committed by actively contributing to and supporting the recovery process, as well as maintaining the high standards of patient care whilst working within a safe, secure and supportive environment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We will need you to contribute and participate in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of care and treatment for people with mental health problems.
It is mandatory for you to complete PEACE Teamwork training and other training directly related to the job.
You will work a rotating shift pattern to cover our 24 hour, 7 day a week service. This will be a mixture of Early, Late day shifts and Nights in every four.
If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be invited to our Recruitment Day which is is to be held on Thursday 23rd July 2026 at Unipart House in Oxford. 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.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Person specification
Question 1
Essential
- Wintle and Allen wards are secure mental health units. Please tell us about your experience of working with people with mental health challenges? This can include personal life experience, voluntary work, customer‑facing roles or care for family/friends, as well as any formal healthcare experience/education
Question 2
Essential
- Can you describe a situation from your previous role where you had to provide care or complete a complex task under pressure or in a challenging environment? What was the situation, how did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
Question 3
Essential
- Please describe how you would explain important information to a patient who is anxious, agitated or has difficulty understanding. How would you ensure they feel heard and understood, and how would you adapt your approach to meet their needs? If you have a relevant example from your work or education, please include this.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Healthcare Assistant 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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