Healthcare Assistant

Job overview

We are currently looking for experienced Health Care Assistants to join our Forensic mental health in-patient service at Berrywood Hospital in Northampton.

Wheatfield is a 12 bed, forensic Low Secure Unit for males predominantly between the ages of 18 and 65. Its primary role is to provide a comprehensive range of services for patients with a mental disorder who are detained under the Mental Health Act and cannot be treated in open mental health settings because of the level of risk  they present.  Wheatfield provides security arrangements that impede (rather than completely prevent) those who wish to either escape or abscond. Whilst there are physical security arrangements in place, Wheatfield’s security provision has a greater reliance on relational security.  Wheatfield provides services for people with long term, chronic and challenging disorders.  Patients may have an offending history and be subject to additional restrictions under the Mental Health Act.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for Health Care Assistants to support in the delivery of outstanding care to this vulnerable group of patients.   Delivery of care  includes: conducting mental health observations, facilitating 1:1 time with patients, escorting patients outside the ward, activities, meal time support, personal care, physical health observations, recording on patient record, de-escalation of incidents, and tasks delegated by the qualified nurses.

Whilst it would be desirable for you to have experience, we will consider your application if you demonstrate drive and enthusiasm and the right values for working in this environment.  We will provide you with training and supervision for your role; it is expected that you will become able to support challenging situations.  Through supervision and debrief we expect you to learn from situations to deliver quality care and improve your practice.

You will be able to work effectively as part of an MDT.  We expect that you will be able to work together with your colleagues, take responsibility, be authentic and embrace change; we will support you to develop these leadership behaviours to become an exceptional member of our team delivering outstanding care to our patients.

The post is rotational with the expectation of being able to work day and night shift.  There is also the expectation of you being able to work over the 7 day week.

You will be required to  complete our 5 day Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the ‘About You’ Section of the document.