Job overview
Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives?
Join our dedicated team at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust as a Health Care Support Worker in our Inpatient Services.
What we offer
* Career development
* Mentoring and coaching opportunities to support your growth
* Flexible working options to support your work-life balance
* Comprehensive staff wellbeing service
* Generous NHS pension scheme and staff benefits package
* A Trust-wide commitment to diversity, inclusion and psychological safety
As a Health Care Support Worker, you will be an essential part of our team, providing compassionate care and support to our patients. You'll work closely with our qualified nursing staff to deliver high-quality care and help establish care plans.
This role is perfect for someone who is empathetic, dedicated, and eager to contribute to the well-being of our patients.
We’re recruiting across a range of inpatient settings, including:
* Adult and older adult acute mental health wards
* Psychiatric intensive care wards
* Rehabilitation and high support wards
You’ll be working alongside dedicated multidisciplinary teams, using your skills to deliver person-centred care in line with our values of kindness, fairness, ingenuity and determination.
Whether you're early in your career or looking to grow, this is your chance to shape the future of mental health care in Greater Manchester – and experience the difference of working in a Trust that puts staff and patients first.
Main duties of the job
* Engage with Patients: Build meaningful relationships with patients and their carers, providing emotional support and effective communication.
* Document Care: Accurately record observations and nursing care in line with Trust policies, using Electronic Patient Records (EPR) or PARIS.
* Promote Safety: Ensure the safety, well-being, and interests of clients, staff, and visitors.
* Assist with Personal Care: Help patients with personal hygiene, bathing, toileting, and dressing, always respecting their privacy and dignity.
* Support at Mealtimes: Assist patients with their meals, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition and hydration.
* Mentor New Staff: Act as a role model and mentor for new Health Care Support Workers, supporting them in completing their Care Certificate.
* Clinical Observations: Undertake and report clinical observations, therapeutic observation
* Maintain Cleanliness: Participate in maintaining a clean, tidy, and safe ward environment, adhering to infection control policies.
* Professional Development: Engage in mandatory training and take responsibility for your personal development
Working for our organisation
Why choose Pennine Care?
* Top mental health trust to work for in the North of England – NHS Staff Survey 2024
* A culture that supports professional autonomy and values nursing leadership
* A clear commitment to safe staffing levels and quality patient care
* A forward-thinking Trust focused on creating the conditions for great nursing care to thrive
* A genuinely supportive environment where your skills and compassion are recognised
You might currently be in another NHS Trust, the private sector, or working through an agency. You might be based in Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, or the wider North West. Wherever you are in your career – if you’re looking for safer staffing, better support, and meaningful development, Pennine Care is ready to welcome you.
Make the move to a Trust that listens, supports and invests in you.
Apply now and help us build a better future for mental health care.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
* GCSE (or equivalent level of education) with grade D/E (2/3) or above in English and Maths or functional skills level 1.
* Level 2 Vocational (or equivalent) qualification in Care, plus demonstrable experience equivalent to Level 3
* Completion of Fundamental Care Certificate or willingness to complete
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience of working with diverse groups of people developing a range of basic care skills.
* Previous experience of working in a care setting as a nursing assistant/healthcare support worker developing competencies in basic clinical care
* Experience of being able to plan and prioritise own work under the direction of a qualified member of staff
* Experience of how to build up trust and rapport with people
* Previous experience with people with Mental Health or Learning Disabilities or experience in a clinical setting related to mental heath
* Experience of carrying out clinical observations
* Range of work procedures and practices, base level of theoretical knowledge
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation
* Awareness of Mental Health and Mental Illness, its effects on the individual, family and friends. Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act with willingness to learn
* Awareness of the effects of illicit drug use.
* Some awareness of early prevention of violence and aggression using least restrictive interventions and practices with willingness to undertake & complete PMVA training and engage in techniques as required
* Willing and able to undertake and complete the required PMVA training and engage in techniques as required, with a commitment to maintain skills in practice and attend regular update training
* Able to recognise changes in a patient’s mental and physical condition and act appropriately by alerting the qualified practitioner or nurse in charge
* An awareness of stigma and discrimination of people with mental health issues
* Awareness of ward procedures and clinical observations
Skills and abilities
Essential criteria
* Basic IT skills – ability to use MS outlook, word, and willing and able to be trained to use Trust IT systems and applications such as Electronic Patient Records or PARIS
* Able to impart knowledge, supervise and direct the work of others under supervision.
* Can demonstrate good interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
* Good command of the English language both written and in spoken word
* Ability to engage with people who are experiencing mental ill health and communication barriers.
* Able to respond sensitively to emotional distress and utilise communication skills to deescalate people who are angry or distressed
* Ability to remain calm in challenging situations displaying patience and empathy
* Ability to keep confidential information, and awareness of Data Protection and GDPR.
Desirable criteria
* Good organisational skills
📝 Application support - We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered, please apply as soon as possible.