About Us
We're looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we're proud to make a difference every day. At SPFT we put people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You'll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development. We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work‑life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it's part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we'll explore what works for you and the role. We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you. We're shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Summary
The role of Physical Health Check Support Worker will be carrying out annual physical health checks for people diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) by conducting a range of physical observations and health promotion interventions, as well as signposting individuals to services to improve their physical health and set goals with individuals to help improve their physical health. You will be working in the Adur, Arun & Worthing Community Rehabilitation Service, which works with adults with severe and enduring mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, paranoid schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Physical Health Check Support Workers may hold physical health clinics to conduct BMI assessment, ECGs and various blood tests as requested using venepuncture skills. (These assessments may also be undertaken in the community). We are looking for an individual who feels a desire to make a positive contribution to improving the physical health for people living with SMI within primary and secondary services and support them in accessing appropriate level of care.
Responsibilities
Ensure patients under the AAW CRS caseload have an annual physical health check, including taking bloods, height & weight, physical observations and physical health and medication questionnaires.
Arrange physical health appointments with patients, their family or carers or tertiary services where the patient may be living (supported accommodation). This includes documenting refusals and rearranging any missed or cancelled appointments.
Ensure all documentation is up to date and in a clear, concise and easy to read manner on the electronic patient record system (currently Carenotes, will be moving to SystmOne in 2026).
Ensure that necessary follow‑up required from any physical health checks is done to a high standard and that inter‑professional working is of a high standard.
Work closely with medical and nursing colleagues in the MDT to ensure that patient safety is paramount.
Work with patients with SMI in a trauma‑informed and holistic manner in both community and outpatient settings.
Ensure that any physical health concerns are reported to the necessary parties and that the patient receives high‑quality care for both their physical and mental health.
Qualifications
Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently within the boundaries of the role, while seeking support and guidance from senior colleagues and other professionals (Consultants, nurses, VCSE organisations, social prescribers, GP's and others).
Ability to independently travel across the locality and be flexible and accommodating to patients when arranging physical health checks.
Required to carry out full physical health checks, including taking blood, measuring physical observations, carrying out verbal and written questionnaires including side‑effect rating scales.
Essential Criteria
* Evidence of phlebotomy training completed
* Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
Desirable Criteria
* Any relevant training such as smoking cessation, motivational interviewing to promote change, experience working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
* Experience running clinics with indirect supervision
* Experience of working as part of a team, able to establish and maintain empathic, supportive relationships with people in significant distress or who are cognitively impaired, their families and carers
* Able to make good use of clinical supervision in a group and/or individual format
* Ability to travel across multiple sites in good time; successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced
Team and Location
The team is currently based in the Chanctonbury Building on the Swandean site in Worthing but will be moving to the Worthing Integrated Care Centre in Worthing. The team consists of Medics, Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologist, OT's, Dual Diagnosis worker, Admin, Peer support worker and support workers. The area covered geographically by the team is Adur, Arun and Worthing. The team offers a supportive atmosphere and works well collaboratively together.
#J-18808-Ljbffr