Job overview
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM STAFF CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY SWANSEA BAY UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the team on Fendrod Ward. Fendrod Ward is a 20-bed all-male assessment and treatment ward for adults experiencing acute mental illness. It is desirable for applicants to have previous experience supporting patients within a healthcare setting, particularly in mental health. The successful candidate will be passionate about delivering an exceptional standard of care.
Fendrod Ward, based at Cefn Coed Hospital, is a designated ward supporting men who require assessment and treatment for their mental health. The multidisciplinary team includes a Ward Manager, Registered Nurses, Responsible Clinician, Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistants, Psychologist, Pharmacist, Healthcare Support Workers, and an Activities Coordinator. The team also includes medical staff and third sector services.
Main duties of the job
As a Band 3 Healthcare Support Worker on Fendrod Ward, you will support adult males with acute mental health needs. Working under the supervision of registered professionals, you will assist with clinical observations, personal care, and therapeutic engagement. You’ll monitor vital signs (pulse, temperature, respiration, BP, oxygen saturation, glucose), observe consciousness levels (ACVPU), and collect specimens. You’ll help with hygiene, mobility, and enhanced supervision, using de-escalation and distraction techniques. You’ll build therapeutic relationships, support Safewards interventions, and contribute to care plans. Teamwork is key: you’ll collaborate with nurses, OTs, psychologists, and doctors, documenting care and escalating concerns. You’ll supervise junior staff, maintain competencies through training, and promote a positive ward culture. Infection prevention is essential—using PPE, following ANTT, and ensuring equipment is clean. Compassion, resilience, and a recovery-focused approach are vital. You’ll be supported through supervision, training, and development opportunities.
Working for our organisation
We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board.
As one of the biggest healthcare groups in the UK we can offer a wealth of professional training and development opportunities in an innovative, forward-thinking organisation.
You might be a nurse or doctor, maybe you specialise in a health science/therapy or can offer skills in one of our support services - we have a job for you.
There are also apprenticeships, work placements and volunteering roles available.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from everyone whatever their sex; religion or belief; race; age; sexual orientation; gender identity or, whether they are pregnant or have recently been on maternity leave, married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled.
Our values - Caring For Each Other, Working Together and Always Improving, show that our commitment to equality is at the heart of everything we do.
If you want excellent career and training opportunities while living on the doorstep of some of Europe's most spectacular scenery, with all the benefits of a thriving and cosmopolitan city - look no further.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Minimum of Qualification Credit Framework – QCF Level 3 (formerly NVQ Level 3)
2. Evidence of maintaining their personal development, demonstrates an understanding of the scope of the role in the context of the nursing team.
3. Evidence of working within specialist care setting. Knowledge and understanding of the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers in Wales
4. Knowledge of the fundamental’s aspects of care and the importance of the promotion of health and wellbeing, understanding of basic physiology, e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements, Understands the principles of confidentiality, and principles of consent prior to undertaking care behaviour and wellbeing/mental requirements health or learning disability requirements
5. Understands the principles of Safeguarding adults/children to keep patients within their care safe, understanding of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate registered professional for expert help and advice, Understanding of the Health Board’s Values and Behaviour Framework
Desirable criteria
6. Qualification Credit Framework – QCF Level 3 (formerly NVQ Level 3)
7. Evidence attendance at courses / study days pertinent to speciality e.g. working within the community/forensic Mental Health patients who have required a minimum of Medium Secure Care Services etc.
8. Understanding of caring for individuals with particular conditions; for example, dementia, mental illness, learning disabilities relevant to area of practice
Aptitudes and Abilities
Essential criteria
9. Adhere to and can demonstrate SBU Values & Behaviours
10. Caring, compassionate attitude to patients and clients Able to communicate effectively with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team, Able to undertake specific procedures involving physical skills commensurate with practice area e.g. recording of vital signs, venepuncture
11. Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Able to organise self and others to achieve delegated task. Able to effectively and appropriately escalate concerns to reduce risk and promote patient safety. Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload, prioritise workload and individual patient contact.
Desirable criteria
12. Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh
Swansea Bay University Health Board is committed to supporting its staff and processes to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing service users experience. In our commitment to increase the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
Equality remains at the centre of the Health Boards policy-making, service delivery and employment practices. We value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from people from protected groups under the Equality Act 2010, this specifically includes age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion, disability, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Welsh language skills are desirable