MALE APPLICANTS ONLY - We are currently recruiting male applicants only for this role, in line with a Genuine Occupational Requirement under the Equality Act 2010. This is to meet the specific needs of our service users in secure care settings.
Are you caring, compassionate, flexible, and have excellent communication skills, with an NVQ in Health and Social Care and/or experience of working in a care environment? If yes, we have career opportunities available for you at Ashworth Hospital.
A recruitment and retention premium is available for roles in the Secure Care division, which will be reviewed in 2028. For our nursing assistants, this will be a premium of £4,034* at Ashworth Hospital. This is paid on a pro-rata basis if applicable and will be pensionable.
Main duties of the job
The division is responsible for specialised secure mental health and learning disability services, in low, medium, and high secure settings for service users with a primary classification of mental illness, personality disorders, learning disabilities, and autism. Working across the division as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to the delivery of high standards of care and treatment to a complex group of service users. This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to gain invaluable experience in a specialist forensic environment.
Ashworth Hospital - High Secure:
Ashworth Hospital is one of three high secure hospitals in the country. It provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment & care for patients with a mental illness assessed as presenting a grave & immediate danger to others. Patients remain in the high secure service until they are safe & well enough to move to lower security conditions or return to prison.
This job description is intended as an outline of general activities and will be reviewed in light of the changing needs of the Trust in consultation with the post holder.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and also commissioned for services covering the North West, North Wales, and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services supporting physical and mental health, including inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction, and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK offering high secure mental health facilities.
At the core of our work is our commitment to 'perfect care'—safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable, and efficient. We support our staff to do their best and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to co-design future services. We are currently delivering a program of organizational and service transformation to improve quality and reduce costs safely.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Job responsibilities
1. Coordinate assessment and delivery of care with guidance from a qualified practitioner, contributing to individual care plans.
2. Assist with activities of daily living, social, recreational, and occupational activities as per care plans.
3. Report observations and provide feedback to qualified practitioners regarding physical or mental health concerns.
4. Facilitate effective communication between departments and services via appropriate channels.
5. Assist with self-administration of medication and report concerns.
6. Use verbal and non-verbal skills to overcome communication barriers due to mental health needs.
7. Contribute to maintaining a safe environment for service users.
8. Support assessments and contribute to risk management plans.
9. Respond to the changing needs of service users.
10. Assist with escorting service users on and off hospital premises.
11. Support medication administration as a witness.
12. Provide health promotion advice and plan therapeutic activities.
13. Participate in multidisciplinary reviews and audits.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Health and Social Care Level 2 or equivalent experience.
* Phlebotomy trained.
* Basic physical health competency passport.
* MEWS training.
* Level 2 Smoking Cessation qualification.
* Care certificate.
* Willingness to work towards Level 3 Health Care qualification.
* Experience or qualifications in craft, domestic skills, leisure, or health (e.g., City & Guild Part 1 or 2 years in a health setting).
Knowledge/Experience
* Effective communication skills.
* Understanding of confidentiality issues.
* Ability to work as part of a team and independently under supervision.
* Experience working in a care setting and with individuals with mental health problems or personal lived experience.
Skills
* Support and guidance skills for junior staff.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A disclosure check will be required.
Salary: £24,625 to £25,674 per annum, plus a £4,034 R&R premium.
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