About this role
Job summary
Every day, our Health Care Assistants make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges. Whether supporting someone through an acute mental health crisis, helping an older person maintain their independence and dignity, or encouraging recovery in a specialist low secure environment, you will play a vital role in helping patients feel safe, supported and valued.
We are recruiting Health Care Assistants to join our inpatient mental health services across three wards within Somerset NHS Foundation Trust:
- Rydon Ward - Adult Acute Mental Health Inpatient Service based at Wellsprings Hospital, Taunton.
- Pyrland Ward - Older Persons Mental Health Inpatient Service based in Taunton.
- Ash Ward - Low Secure Forensic Mental Health Service based at Broadway Health Park, Bridgwater.
We welcome applications from people at all stages of their career. You may already have experience in a healthcare or social care setting, or you may simply have the values, compassion and enthusiasm needed to support people during some of the most challenging times in their lives. If you're looking for a meaningful role with opportunities to learn, develop and grow within mental health services, we would love to hear from you.
As part of your application, please tell us which ward(s) you would like to be considered for and list your preferences in order. This helps us ensure we match successful candidates to the service that best suits their skills, interests and career goals.
Main duties of the job
As a Health Care Assistant, you will:
- Build positive, therapeutic relationships with patients and support their recovery journey.
- Support patients with day-to-day activities, personal care, nutrition, wellbeing and independence.
- Work alongside nurses, occupational therapists and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
- Encourage participation in therapeutic, social and recovery-focused activities.
- Help maintain a safe, welcoming and supportive ward environment for patients, families and visitors.
- Observe and report changes in patients' physical or mental wellbeing, contributing to safe and effective care.
- Support the team in responding calmly and professionally to challenging situations using de-escalation techniques and specialist training.
We recognise that AI tools can be helpful when preparing job applications. However, we want to understand your experiences, skills and motivation for applying, so please ensure your supporting information genuinely reflects you.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Health Care Assistant, you will become an important part of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to supporting people through some of the most challenging periods of their lives. Working alongside registered nurses, occupational therapists, doctors and other healthcare professionals, you will help create a safe, therapeutic and recovery-focused environment where patients feel respected, supported and encouraged to achieve their goals.
You'll play a hands-on role in supporting patients with their recovery. This may include spending time with patients on a one-to-one basis, supporting therapeutic activities, helping with personal care and daily living tasks, monitoring physical and mental wellbeing, and encouraging patients to engage with their care and treatment plans. Every interaction is an opportunity to build trust, promote independence and help someone take positive steps forward.
We're looking for people who genuinely care about others and can demonstrate compassion, patience and resilience. You may already have experience in healthcare, social care, support work, customer service, hospitality, education or another people-focused environment. Most importantly, you'll have excellent communication skills, a positive attitude and a commitment to treating every person with dignity and respect.
In return, you'll receive a comprehensive induction, ongoing training and access to a wide range of development opportunities. Whether you're looking to build a long-term career as a Health Care Assistant or take your first step towards becoming a Nursing Associate, Registered Nurse or another healthcare professional, you'll be supported to grow and develop within Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
This role involves working a 24-hour rotational shift pattern, including nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Must be willing to work towards NVQ level 3 in direct care or Certificate in Care if not already held.
Desirable
- Related healthcare interests or education
- Training and experience e.g. Lifting, first aid, food handling, care work.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a caring, support or people focused role
- Interested in people and personalities
- Able to generate ideas for activities
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in mental health services
- Understanding of how to support patients to recover their mental health
- An understanding of risk
- Ability to transfer own life experience into helping relationship
Additional Criteria
Desirable
- UK Driving licence in order to transport patients across the Trust
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
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Wellsprings Hospital
Cheddon Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 7AU
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)