Healthcare Assistant at Devon Partnership NHS Trust (Sponsorship Available)

Are you a skilled and compassionate Healthcare Assistant looking for a rewarding role where your dedication is valued? Devon Partnership NHS Trust is looking for qualified candidates who meet the requirements below—and sponsorship is available for the right applicant!

About the Trust

Devon Partnership NHS Trust delivers a broad range of specialized mental health, learning disability, and neurodiversity services across Devon, the wider South West region, and nationally. We are dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being through our expertise, resources, and partnerships, offering safe, high-quality, recovery-focused services.

Our vision is driven by a passion for excellence, with a commitment to involving staff in shaping the trust’s future and services. We place the people we serve at the heart of everything, ensuring care is aligned with their needs and perspectives.

As an equal-opportunity employer, we actively challenge discrimination and stigma while championing recovery, inclusion, and well-being. Our aim is to ensure mental health and learning disability services receive the same recognition as physical health services.

With an annual income of over £206 million, a team of 3,600 dedicated staff, and around 74,000 referrals per year, we support approximately 26,000 people each month.

Why Choose Devon Partnership NHS Trust?

Join us in delivering high-quality, recovery-focused care, and be a part of an organization where your impact truly matters.

Ready to Apply? We’d love to hear from you if you meet the requirements below.

Position: Healthcare Assistant

Salary: £24,071 to £25,674 a year

Job Type: Permanent (Full Time, Part Time, Flexible Working)

Location: Dawlish, Devon, UK

About the Role

We are searching for experienced or aspiring Healthcare Assistants who would like to start a career within our Mental Health, Learning Disability and Neurodiversity Services.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team at the new Regional Learning Disability and Autism Unit in Dawlish from March 2025 (The Brook).

The Brook will provide high quality care and treatment for people who have learning disabilities and autistic patients with complex mental health needs. The building and environment will be state of the art and the service aims to become a centre of excellence.

We are committed to the ongoing training and development of all our staff and offer a range of opportunities for career progression. The Care Certificate is the nationally recognised qualification for all staff working within the health and social care sector. Within Devon Partnership Trust we are committed to all staff at Band 3 holding this qualification. If you have not yet completed the Care Certificate you will be supported to attain this within your first 3 months of employment as part of your mandatory training. We know at Devon Partnership NHS Trust that Healthcare Assistants from different employment backgrounds can bring a range of knowledge and new ideas – previous care experience is desirable but not essential.

Shortlisting will be carried out on a regular basis and interviews will be held at your convenience so please do not delay in submitting your application.

The post holder will be required to assist multi-disciplinary team members in the delivery of care and treatment to people using our services. The care provided will encompass social, physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs of the individuals.

You will also be responsible for undertaking practical procedures under the supervision of trained nursing staff.

Our inpatient services operate on a 24/7 shift bases which supports us offering flexible working patterns. You can work a variety of shifts – these include mornings (shifts could start from 7am), short days & long days (shifts are generally 10 – 12 hours long), evenings (till around 8pm) and nights (from around 7pm). You will qualify for unsocial enhancements in addition to basic pay.

Main Duties

  • To communicate effectively with people using services taking into account any communication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately.
  • To form and maintain therapeutic relationships with individuals and other professionals and agencies.
  • To maintain accurate and complete records consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
  • The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies.
  • Take part in the constant assessment of risk and management of risk in conjunction with the qualified staff.
  • Take part and be aware of Health and Safety matters as appropriate.
  • Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Trust Policies.
  • To be involved in the assessment and implementation of individual treatment programmes and the person’s Positive Behaviour Support plans under the supervision of registered staff.
  • To prioritise tasks and manage the shift workload in discussion with the Nurse-inCharge.
  • Participate in flexible shift system, which requires you to work days, evening, nights, weekends and public holiday’s dependant on the needs of the ward.
  • In order to provide comprehensive and quality services to individuals, the post holder will if necessary be required to work in other areas of the service as directed by the Line Manager /Nurse-in-Charge.

Qualifications

  • Basic Education.
  • To complete the Care Certificate within the first 3 months of employment unless already obtained or evidence of equivalent agreed and signed off by the appointing manager.

Desirable

  • NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
  • Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.

Experience (Essential)

  • Previous employment / experience of working with people in a caring situation or previous experience working in a different role within mental health, learning disability or autism services.

Knowledge and Skills (Essential)

  • Awareness of safeguarding principles.
  • IT skills.
  • Demonstrate an ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
  • Good communication and listening skills.
  • Ability to work with people in a group and individual basis.
  • Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal boundaries.
  • Problem solving skills.
  • Able to plan work, time management, completing records and recording observations etc.
  • To take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
  • To participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.
  • To demonstrate an ability to provide practical support with daily living activities, and physically perform nursing duties.
  • To be able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, be able to think quickly and deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner.
  • To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.

Benefits

  • Commitment to flexible working where this is possible
  • 27 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years’ service with the NHS so you can really enjoy what Devon has to offer
  • Individual personal development plans and a commitment to ongoing training
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits
  • Health service discounts and online benefits
  • Incremental pay progression
  • Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7
  • Access to our staff networks
  • Health and wellbeing opportunities
  • Cycle to Work Scheme and reduced public transport rates
  • Structured learning and development opportunities.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Required Documents

  1. CV/Resume
  2. Cover Letter

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates should kindly CLICK HERE to learn more and apply

Application Deadline

November 21, 2024