About this role
Job summary
We're creating Kent and Medway's first, and only, NHS Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for women, and are seeking talented Healthcare Workers to help us deliver this vital service. We have 6 roles available, these can be full time or part time (3 days per week/22.5 hrs per week minimum for part time roles).
The Healthcare Support Worker is a key member of the multidisciplinary care team and will have continuing responsibility to deliver an effective and competent level of care under the guidance and supervision of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) as determined by the patient's care plan and be fully aware of the needs of patients over a 24-hour span of care.
If this sounds like the opportunity you have been waiting for, come and join our diverse and compassionate team committed to delivering excellent care and support for service users and their loved ones.
Posts benefit from a High Cost Area allowance.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer sponsorship for these posts. Please note that all applicants that are shortlisted for this post will be required to attend an in person meeting in Kent, as part of the assessment process.
Main duties of the job
Consistently delivering a patient focused service, which promotes optimum independence.
Providing and receiving routine information orally, in writing or electronically to inform work colleagues, patients, clients, carers, the public or other external contacts.
Offering appropriate support and advice to patients and their carers.
Awareness of different challenging situations where communication needs to be adapted to the needs of the individual.
Enabling patients to maintain and improve their independence by promoting and facilitating therapeutic activity.
Giving physical health checks and physical health care as required or instructed documenting the physical health checks on the early warning scoring system (MEWS), chart and reporting changes to the nurse/healthcare professional in charge.
Undertaking day to day tasks as allocated by Nurse/healthcare professional in Charge.
Undertaking all relevant training as directed and participating in regular management/clinical supervision and appraisal.
About us
Working in a PICU is very rewarding but we want to be honest and share that it is demanding too. It is likely to be needed by people with severe and complex mental health conditions (e.g. Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder and may be associated with Personality Disorder, Substance Misuse and PTSD).
While emotionally challenging, the opportunity to support critically unwell women back to their communities, ensuring 'right care, in the right place, at the right time', is immense, and your skilled, multidisciplinary, team will be there to support you.
You would be working as part of a team of mental health experts, dedicated to making sure the most unwell women in our communities have the same access to specialist care as men.
We are recruiting now to make sure our new female PICU team is in place with enough time to train, form team bonds and prepare. So you can all make a profound difference to patient outcomes from day one.
We also offer ongoing professional development to help you adapt and progress your career, including bespoke training and a comprehensive induction program.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for full details and the main responsibilities of the role.
What is High Cost Area Allowance?
The High-Cost Area (HCA) allowance, also referred to as London Weighting is a payment made to employees who work in London and the surrounding areas.
As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month.
5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,346 per year and a maximum payment of £2,270 per year (the agreed annual amount will be divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly).
Person Specification
Experience and Qualifications Essential
Health or Social Care Qualification (NVQ level 3 or equivalent) A varied and considerable experience of working within Mental Health/Learning Disabilities setting
Desirable
Experience of working on a Female acute ward/PICU or forensic environment
Knowledge & Skills Essential
Good level of English Language - Written and Spoken Computer literate with basic understanding of Information Technology (IT) To have a good understanding of mental health conditions appropriate to the setting
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Address Littlebrook Hospital, Dartford
Bow Arrow Lane
Dartford
DA2 6PB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)