JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB DETAILS
Job title: Health Care Assistant
Job code:
Band: Band 3
Location: Greyfriars PICU, Wotton Lawn Hospital
Accountable to: Ward Manager

JOB PURPOSE

 To assist trained nurses in the provision of nursing care including health promotion as detailed in
individual care plans.
 Participate in the performing of appropriate tasks necessary to meet the needs of the unit.
 Assist service users outside the ward environment to establish and maintain social contacts.
 Assist in the preparation and delivery of social, sports and recreational activities for ward patients.
 To work collaboratively with staff from Hotel Services and other departments to ensure that the
ward environment is clean, tidy and welcoming.

DIMENSIONS

Working on a ward with up to 10 beds with occupancy levels of up to 100%.

Responsible for patient monies and property on a daily basis.

CORE KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

On a daily basis assist qualified nurses in the provision of care as detailed in the individual
care plans, undertake tasks that facilitate the smooth running of the ward as directed by
qualified nurses, and liaise with other departments to ensue ward environment is safe and
welcoming, e.g. hotel services.

On a daily basis, successfully initiate and develop rapport with the patient group to enable
patients to balance periods of activity, socialisation and rest.

Daily, provide practical assistance and support in maintaining patient’s social network to
include family relationships and cultural needs. This may include periods without direct
supervision off the ward.

Frequently use interpersonal and communication skills to de-escalate and reduce aggressive
behaviour if encountered from users and carers.
 On a daily basis provide ward and community based social and recreational activities for
ward patients including individual and group activities. This will include periods without direct
supervision and will focus on social inclusion and recovery.

Be aware of own limitations, seek support if and when need arises.

Liaise effectively with nursing colleagues, MDT and other allied health professionals.

Ensure that core aspects of care are maintained and developed by following the Essence of
Care Standards.

Regularly establish, where appropriate good links and communicate with carers.

Daily assist patients access their monies following Trust financial procedures.

Ensure that health promotion information is available in a variety of forms for individuals or
small groups of users.

Liaise with external organisations to enable opportunities for services users to participate in
new activities and maintain social and domestic contacts.

Make contemporary notes in the Health Record.

Adhere to Trust policies and procedures.

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

Deputy Ward Senior Nurse Healthcare

Matron Unit Manager Staff Nurse
Manager Practitioner Assistant

COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

 Ensure Patients and Carers are communicated to in a sensitive manner throughout the shift period
 Unit and Deputy Managers
 Staff Nurses
 All members of the multi-disciplinary team
 Hotel Services staff
 Administration Support
 NHS Estates staff / contractors
 Non statutory Agencies
 Benefits Agency

EFFORT AND HEALTH & SAFETY FACTORS

 EMOTIONAL
 Working with patients who may wish to die and who have enduring mental distress.
 Supporting patients, their family members and carers during acute crisis.
 MENTAL EFFORT
 Sustained mental concentration whilst undertaking patient observations such as 1:1.
 Responding to a rapidly changing work environment as a result of clinical incidents or admissions.
 PHYSICAL EFFORT – i.e. Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA),
Moving and Handling to your capability and using appropriate equipment.
 Bodily Fluids – Often
 Blood Born Viruses – Often
 Short periods of extreme noise
 Frequent exposure to passive smoking
 Occasional Driving, which requires assessment of the passenger risks prior to departure following
the agreed policy.
 WORKING FULL ROTATIONAL SHIFT INCLUDING NIGHT DUTY

MOST CHALLENGING PART OF THE JOB

 To work with patients on the ward to engage them in meaningful activities and socialisation, at a
time where symptoms of illness are severe and motivation is low and they are difficult to engage.
 Emotional implications of sustained verbal abuse, the threat of potential or actual physical
confrontation and dealing with distressing situations on a daily basis.
 Patients are admitted to Wotton Lawn Hospital with Mental Health problems, some may have
the propensity to be dangerous either to themselves or others. It is therefore considered
necessary that staff are trained safely and competently to deal with this. Employees should be
aware that working under such conditions may mean that from time to time, they will be exposed
to aggressive or violent behaviour.
 As a consequence, Health and Safety Legislation determines the need to provide appropriate
training. This is a mandatory training requirement and must be regularly undertaken by all
employees who are involved in direct patient contact.

GENERIC RESPONSIBILITIES – ALL POST / ALL EMPLOYESS

The following are applicable to all posts and all employees:

Trust Values
The post holder will be expected to work in line with the Trust values which are:
 Working together
 Always improving
 Respectful and kind
  Making a difference

General Duties
To undertake any other reasonable duty, which is appropriate to the band when requested
by senior staff.
To be familiar with and comply with all Trust and departmental policies, procedures,
protocols and guidelines.
To demonstrate an understanding and commitment to Trust values and Staff Charter.

Professional and Personal Development

All staff must ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities by attending the Trust
Mandatory Training and Induction programme.
All staff will have a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once
performance/training objectives have been set, the staff member’s progress will be
reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed and set, in order to
maintain progress in the service delivery.
Those with management/supervisory responsibility are required to ensure that their direct
reports have an appraisal in line with Trust policy.
All staff will be expected to take responsibility for their own professional development and
will be supported by the Trust to achieve development opportunities as appropriate.

Infection Control
All staff have a responsibility to ensure that infection control policies, procedures and
guidelines are adhered to and to support the Trust’s commitment to preventing and
controlling healthcare associated infections (HAI).

Health and Safety

All staff have a responsibility to maintain health and safety of self and others within the
performance of duties in accordance with Trust health and safety policies, and to undertake
specific health and safety responsibilities as directed. All staff have a responsibility to
adhere to the Trust’s Risk Management Policies & Procedures.
All staff are required to contribute to the control of risk, and must report immediately any
incident, accident or near miss involving patients, service users, carers, staff, contractors or
members of the public using the Trust Datix system.

Confidentiality
All staff may gain or have access to confidential information about the diagnosis or
treatment of patients, information affecting the public, private or work related staff
information, or Trust matters. A breach of confidentiality will have occurred where any such
information has been divulged, passed (deliberately or accidentally) or overheard by any
unauthorised person or person(s). Breaches of confidentiality can result in disciplinary
action, which may involve dismissal.
All staff must maintain a high standard of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping,
ensuring information is always recorded accurately, appropriately and kept up to date. Staff
must only access information, whether paper, electronic or in other media which is
authorised to them as part of their duties.
All staff must ensure compliance with the data protection legislation.
Safeguarding: Adults and Children (Section 11 of the Children Act 2004)
Safeguarding: Adults (Care Act 2014) and Children (Section 11 of the Children Act 2004)
Every member of staff has a responsibility to be aware of and follow at all times, the
relevant national and local policy in relation to safeguarding children and safeguarding
adults. This includes keeping up to date with relevant training and seeking supervision.

Freedom of Information
All members of staff must be aware of their responsibilities under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000. The Act gives individuals or organisations the right to request
information held by the Trust. Staff must manage information they hold in such a way that
meets the requirements of the Act. All requests for disclosures under the Act must be
passed to the Freedom of information Officer.

Working on Non-Trust Premises

All staff when working on non-Trust premises are bound by Trust policies and procedures,
including home working policy; IT security policy; email and internet acceptable use policy
information.

Smoke Free Premises

The Trust is committed to protecting and improving the health and welfare of staff, service
users, carers, visitors and contractors, and protecting smokers and non-smokers from the
health dangers of second-hand smoke. Therefore all Trust premises are ‘smoke free’ and
staff (and external contractors and visitors) must refrain from smoking in Trust buildings,
vehicles and grounds.

Diversity and Promoting Dignity at Work

The Trust recognises the contribution of all employees to deliver responsive and quality
services. We expect staff to value and respect the diversity of those who use or contact our
services and to respond to the differing and diverse needs of others. We aim to have an
environment free of bullying or harassment which would create an intimidating and
unpleasant atmosphere impacting on staff wellbeing and service delivery. We want staff to
be able to report issues knowing they will be dealt with promptly and sensitively.
All forms of bullying and harassment are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
This job description seeks to provide an outline of the duties and responsibilities of the
post. It is not a definitive document and does not form part of the main statement of Terms
and Conditions. The job description will be reviewed as part of the annual appraisal
process and will be used as the basis for setting objectives.

Data Quality
The Trust recognises the role of reliable information in the delivery and development of its
services and in assuring robust clinical and corporate governance. Data quality is central to
this and the availability of complete, comprehensive, accurate and timely data is an
essential component in the provision of high quality mental health services. It is therefore
the responsibility of all staff to ensure that where appropriate, information is recorded, at all
times, in line with the Trust’s Policy and Procedures for Data Quality

This job description seeks to provide an outline of the duties and responsibilities of the post.
It is not a definitive document and does not form part of the main statement of Terms and
Conditions. The job description will be reviewed as part of the annual appraisal process and
will be used as the basis for setting objectives.

Physical Intervention Descriptors

Working Well Pre-employment Assessment
Breakaway – Practical training in Breakaway techniques is intended to enable staff to
reduce the likelihood, and risk of personal injury due to aggressive verbal or physical
behaviour of others by providing evasion and self-protection strategies (clinical and non-
clinical). Training involves a degree of physical exertion; trainees are required to stand for
the duration of the practical training session and to make controlled body movements. This
will include the ability to adopt a stable body position to prevent being pulled or pushed off
balance, be able to shift body weight rapidly, and to achieve some limited rotation of the
torso.

Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) – Practical training in

the implementation of Physical Intervention techniques that are designed to temporarily
gain control of a service user’s behaviour at a time when they are placing either themselves
or others at risk of injury. Training involves a degree of physical exertion; trainees are
required to stand for the duration of the practical training session. Depending on the
technique each trainee will be able to adopt a ‘stable stance’; balanced to prevent being
pulled or pushed off balance, be able to shift body weight rapidly, and to achieve some
limited rotation of the torso. They will also be able to safely achieve a controlled movement
to and from the floor in support of a service user.
 PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job title: Health Care Assistant

Job code:
Band: 3
Location: Greyfriars PICU, Wotton Lawn Hospital
Accountable to: Alice Bayntun (Ward Manager)

QUALIFICATIONS ESSENTIAL OR METHOD OF

DESIRABLE ASSESSMENT
 NVQ Level 3 in a health or social care or related Essential Application and
area e.g. promoting independence or equivalent interview
level of competency based training in relevant
area.

Or

 Completed a relevant Health Care Assistant

transition & development programme.

LENGTH AND / OR NATURE OF EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL OR METHOD OF

DESIRABLE ASSESSMENT
Significant experience of working in a mental Essential Application and
health or social care setting Interview
Experience of working with patients with severe Desirable Application and
and enduring mental illness Interview
Significant experience of working in a team and Essential Application and
independently Interview
Experience in the assessment of patients Desirable Application and
Interview
Experience of providing social and recreational Desirable Application and
activities Interview

PROFESSIONAL / MANAGERIAL / SPECIALIST ESSENTIAL OR METHOD OF

KNOWLEDGE DESIRABLE ASSESSMENT
Knowledge of mental illness and its impact on the Essential Application and
Individual Interview
Demonstrate adherence to Trust policies and Essential Application and
prescribed nursing care plans. Interview

Awareness of issues surrounding diversity and Essential Application and

anti-discriminatory practice Interview
Understanding of the basic principles of Infection Essential Application and
Control Interview
Be able to follow prescribed Nursing Care plans Essential Application and
Interview
Awareness of risk procedures Essential Application and
Interview
Most frequently used ‘sections’ of the Mental Essential Application and
Health Act Interview
Be able to work unsupervised for short periods Essential Application and
Interview
Knowledge of local community facilities outside of Desirable Application and
‘Health Services’. Interview

PERSONAL SKILLS ABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL OR METHOD OF

ATTRIBUTES DESIRABLE ASSESSMENT
Good communication skills both written and verbal Essential Application and
Interview
Confidentiality and integrity Essential Application and
Interview
Ability to motivate self and others, especially those Essential Application and
who are difficult to engage Interview

Committed to working with people who experience Essential Application and

Severe Mental Illness Interview

Be able to work in a team Essential Application and

Interview
Basic I.T. skills (word, outlook, internet) Essential Application and
Interview
Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory Essential Application and
training including Prevention and Management of Interview
Violence and Aggression/Breakaway (subject to
Occupational Health clearance)

OTHER REQUIREMENTS ESSENTIAL OR METHOD OF

DESIRABLE ASSESSMENT
Enthusiastic and caring approach to working with Essential Application and
service users Interview
Demonstrate a positive values base to supporting Desirable Application and
people with a learning disability and/or mental ill Interview
health
Able to travel to places of work Desirable Application and
Interview