About this role
Job summary
Are you a compassionate, resilient professional passionate about inpatient mental health?
Pinewood Ward is a 16-bedded acute mental health unit for adult males experiencing acute crisis. We are seeking 3 dedicated Band 3 Healthcare Support Workers to join our close-knit, multidisciplinary ward team.
In this vital role, you will be at the front line of patient care--offering comfort, empathy, and active support to men during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Working flexibly across a 24-hour, 7-day rota, you will build therapeutic relationships, promote independence, and help shape a safe, recovery-focused environment on the ward.
If you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced acute environment and are driven to make a real difference in male mental health care, we would love to welcome your expertise to Pinewood Ward.
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
We are Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway and are rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Our teams support children, young people and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. We also provide specialist services, including all-age eating disorder services and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people, such as autism and ADHD.
Because we work across the whole county and across hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the people we serve.
Our vision is simple: we are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. Everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Join us if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's working well together.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please review the Job Description for further details of the role and requirements.
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 (2026/27 figures).
Person Specification
Training and Qualification Essential
Level 3 Qualification in Health and Social care or equivalent Care Certificate or ability to obtain within 6 months
Experience Essential
A varied and considerable experience of working within Mental Health/Learning Disabilities setting Punctual and flexible across hours of work
Desirable
Experience on an Acute Mental Health Ward
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 Little Brook Hospital
Bow Arrow Lane
Dartford
DA2 6PB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)