Job Description

Do you enjoy working in a compassionate environment, want to learn and develop new skills, enjoy working with a variety of service users, all with very different needs and work with people in crisis to help them with their recovery, then this job is for you!
An opportunity has arisen for a Health Care Assistant to join our Psychiatric Intensive Care Teamwith a strong focus on delivering excellent care for our female service users and to priorities our staff health and wellbeing on our ward.
Upon joining our team, we will ensure that successful candidates undergo both mandatory and bespoke training, to fully equip them with the skills required to work within our female PICU environment.
Main duties of the job
- To have a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and to be aware of relevant MHA information when carrying out observations, to support leave appropriately for detained patients under the approval of a qualified practitioner.
- To undertake and record clinical observations(e.g temperature, pulse, blood pressure) as required. Recording the observations accordingly and escalating any concerns to a qualified practitioner as appropriate.- To undertake and record therapeutic observations in accordance with the Trust's Observation & Engagement Policy (for example general, 1:1 and 2:1observations) as required and instructed with access to supervision from a qualified member of staff.
-To be competent in all aspects of reducing restrictive practices, which includes the early prevention of violence and aggression using least restrictive approaches, positive behaviour support through to physical manual restraint as a last option. This can be part of planned interventions set by a qualified member of staff or as an intervention to manage challenging behaviours as they occur, immediately alerting a qualified practitioner for support and supervision.- To ensure that security protocols and procedures are carried out over a 24-hour period and any possible breaches should be reported to the senior nurse immediately.
About us
Our team provides short-term intensive assessment, treatment, and support to Service Users, who maybe experiencing a mental health crisis crisis, and often present with a variety of complex mental health needs.
To maximise Service User recovery, the teams will be working in a trauma informed way and utilising the RAID model of care. Our aim is to work in the least restrictive way as possible whilst maintaining patient safety.
Details
Date posted
08 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,937 to 26,598 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
311-F840-25
Job locations
Woodbank Female PICU
Stepping Hill Hospital
Stockport
SK2 7JE
Job description
Job responsibilities
To be eligible for shortlisting you need to ensure you meet the essential qualifications for this role, as you will be asked to provide your certificates at interview and pre-employment checks.
When completing your application, please ensure you read the job description and person specification. You will need to give examples of how you meet each of the criteria listed on the person specification. You can use the supporting information section or career history to do this. Job description
Job responsibilities
To be eligible for shortlisting you need to ensure you meet the essential qualifications for this role, as you will be asked to provide your certificates at interview and pre-employment checks.
When completing your application, please ensure you read the job description and person specification. You will need to give examples of how you meet each of the criteria listed on the person specification. You can use the supporting information section or career history to do this.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential

• GCSE (or equivalent level of education) with grade D/E (2/3) or above in English and Maths or functional skills level 1
• Vocational (or equivalent) Qualification at level 3 in Care or demonstrable equivalent relevant experience to this level
• Completion of Care Certificate or commitment to complete
• PMVA training or willingness and ability to complete upon appointment
• Short courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties

Desirable

• Assessor in CC

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with diverse groups of people developing a range of basic care skills.
• Previous experience of working in a care setting as a nursing assistant/healthcare support worker developing competencies in basic clinical care
• Experience of being able to plan and prioritise own work under the direction of a qualified member of staff
• Experience of how to build up trust and rapport with people
• Previous experience with people with Mental Health or Learning Disabilities or experience in a clinical setting related to mental heath
• Experience of carrying out clinical observations
• Range of work procedures and practices, base level of theoretical knowledge
• Experience of Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression techniques

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation
• Awareness of Mental Health and Mental Illness, its effects on the individual, family and friends. Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act with willingness to learn
• Awareness of the effects of illicit drug use.
• Some awareness of early prevention of violence and aggression using least restrictive interventions and practices with willingness to undertake & complete PMVA training and engage in techniques as required
• Able to recognise changes in a patient's mental and physical condition and act appropriately by alerting the qualified practitioner or nurse in charge
• An awareness of stigma and discrimination of people with mental health issues
• Awareness of ward procedures and clinical observations

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Basic IT skills - ability to use MS outlook, word, and willing and able to be trained to use Trust IT systems and applications such as Electronic Patient Records or PARIS
• Able to impart knowledge, supervise and direct the work of others under supervision
• Can demonstrate good interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills
• Good command of the English language both written and in spoken word
• Ability to engage with people who are experiencing mental ill health and communication barriers.
• Able to respond sensitively to emotional distress and utilise communication skills to deescalate people who are angry or distressed
• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations displaying patience and empathy
• Ability to keep confidential information, and awareness of Data Protection and GDPR.
• Commitment to self-development

Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential

• GCSE (or equivalent level of education) with grade D/E (2/3) or above in English and Maths or functional skills level 1
• Vocational (or equivalent) Qualification at level 3 in Care or demonstrable equivalent relevant experience to this level
• Completion of Care Certificate or commitment to complete
• PMVA training or willingness and ability to complete upon appointment
• Short courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties

Desirable

• Assessor in CC

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with diverse groups of people developing a range of basic care skills.
• Previous experience of working in a care setting as a nursing assistant/healthcare support worker developing competencies in basic clinical care
• Experience of being able to plan and prioritise own work under the direction of a qualified member of staff
• Experience of how to build up trust and rapport with people
• Previous experience with people with Mental Health or Learning Disabilities or experience in a clinical setting related to mental heath
• Experience of carrying out clinical observations
• Range of work procedures and practices, base level of theoretical knowledge
• Experience of Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression techniques

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of care and related procedures, clinical observations, relevant legislation
• Awareness of Mental Health and Mental Illness, its effects on the individual, family and friends. Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act with willingness to learn
• Awareness of the effects of illicit drug use.
• Some awareness of early prevention of violence and aggression using least restrictive interventions and practices with willingness to undertake & complete PMVA training and engage in techniques as required
• Able to recognise changes in a patient's mental and physical condition and act appropriately by alerting the qualified practitioner or nurse in charge
• An awareness of stigma and discrimination of people with mental health issues
• Awareness of ward procedures and clinical observations

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Basic IT skills - ability to use MS outlook, word, and willing and able to be trained to use Trust IT systems and applications such as Electronic Patient Records or PARIS
• Able to impart knowledge, supervise and direct the work of others under supervision
• Can demonstrate good interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills
• Good command of the English language both written and in spoken word
• Ability to engage with people who are experiencing mental ill health and communication barriers.
• Able to respond sensitively to emotional distress and utilise communication skills to deescalate people who are angry or distressed
• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations displaying patience and empathy
• Ability to keep confidential information, and awareness of Data Protection and GDPR.
• Commitment to self-development

Skills Required