We are seeking a compassionate, motivated, and proactive Band 3 Health Care Assistant to join our integrated Mental Health and Physical Health Service. This role is ideal for an individual who is passionate about supporting patients with a range of mental health needs, while also keen to develop their skills in physical health monitoring and clinical tasks such as venepuncture.
As a key member of our multidisciplinary team, you will work closely with registered nurses and other professionals to support service users throughout their recovery journey. You will help promote independence, wellbeing, and positive outcomes by providing skilled, person-centred care and building meaningful therapeutic relationships. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine difference every day while continuing to grow and develop their clinical skills.
Main duties of the job
You will support the smooth running of the outpatient clinic by setting up clinics, attending handovers, and helping manage the clinic list. Key tasks include welcoming patients, confirming correct identification, and helping them feel comfortable throughout their appointment.
You will carry out routine physical health tasks such as vital signs, NEWS, and venepuncture (once trained), and support mental health care using assessment tools, observation, risk assessment, and prompt escalation of any concerns. You will work alongside other HCAs, the Band 4 Assistant Practitioner, the Band 6 Clinical Lead, the service manager, and the wider multidisciplinary team, including pharmacists, to ensure safe and effective care.
Your responsibilities also include documenting all interventions in the electronic patient record, sharing relevant information with key workers when appropriate, and supporting carers who attend with service users. You will follow infection control procedures, adhere to clinical governance and confidentiality guidelines, and promote healthy lifestyle choices through brief interventions and health promotion activities.
About us
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role.
Person Specification
Experience
* Previous employment / experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health services
* Previous care experience with people who have Mental Health difficulties.
* Competency in venepuncture and ECGs.
Additional Information
* The role requires resilience, emotional awareness, and a commitment to recovery-focused, trauma-informed care.
* The post holder is expected to uphold infection control, clinical governance, and confidentiality standards at all times.
* Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.
* Awareness of blood-borne viruses
Qualifications
* To complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent agreed and signed off by the appointing manager at interview. If not, this will be a trainee position until successful completion
* NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
* Qualified in venepuncture and ECGs.
* Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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