Job overview
Are you an experienced HCSW with a positive, adaptive and enthusiastic outlook looking for an exciting and dynamic role?
Do you currently work in a Mental Health setting or dementia unit if so we would really be interested in your application?
Do you have a passion for caring for patients with enhanced therapeutic care needs? Do you want the advantage of team rostering supporting your work life balance?
We have an exciting opportunity for you to join Bures team, a highly skilled and versatile team that works across ipswich hospital, providing vital support to all adult clinical specialities.
Bures team Healthcare Support Workers will assist across all adult wards and departments of the hospital, for patients who may require additional support due to their illness, unfamiliar surroundings, medication, mental health or challenging behaviour needs. Enhanced observation is an integral part of a therapeutic plan and ensures the safe and sensitive monitoring of a patient’s physical and psychological wellbeing, whilst building therapeutic relationships.
Enhanced therapeutic observational care could be supporting ‘cohorted’ or patients who require 1-1 support.
This dynamic team will play a pivotal role in responding to operational demands, ensuring our ward and departments receive the support they need when they need it most.
Previous NHS Experience and NHS Care Certificate is essential for this role.
Main duties of the job
This unique position offers the right candidate a chance to gain experience across a wide variety of specialities, developing your skills and expertise to become a highly versatile and experienced health care support worker.
By working across diverse clinical areas, you’ll build a wealth of knowledge and adaptability, empowering you to thrive in any situation and provide exceptional care. You will need to be flexible and adaptable as you could be supporting multiple areas during a shift – going where the need is greatest.
This role is perfect for someone who is eager to grow, embrace challenges and make a significant impact across the hospital.
We are committed to supporting you on this journey, providing the training and development needed to help you become the very best in this role.
In addition, we offer team rostering allowing you to request as many or as little of your off duty as you like (typically 70-80% of these will be approved), we want you to thrive in your new role while maintaining a healthy work life balance. Choose your own shifts from available long days and nights.
You’ll receive 2 day Enhanced Therapeutic Observation and care workshop and a 2 day Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression workshop. You will also be offered supernumerary time in areas you may not have worked in before to build your confidence, knowledge and skills.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Awareness of physical, psychological and spiritual needs of patient’s relatives and carers
- Awareness of the nature of the carers role in assisting patients to fulfil basic human needs.
- Knowledge of clinical procedures and observations
- Knowledge of relevant legislation
Desirable
- Understanding of risk management, health and safety issues, including safe manual handling.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience in an acute NHS, mental health or dementia setting
Desirable
- Experience in enhanced therapeutic observations and care
Qualifications
Essential
- Care certificate achieved or demonstrable relevant skills
- Evidence of completed competencies as part of a professional portfolio
- Level 3 vocational qualification or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Willingness to undertake further study
- Evidence of functional skills or willingness to undertake
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Healthcare Support Worker - Bures Ipswich with East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust in Colchester, East of England, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 per annum pro rata + unsocial hours allowance. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 23 Jun 2026.
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