Job Description

Heathfield Ward at the Department of Psychiatry, Eastbourne District General Hospital, East Sussex are looking for a committed, positive, compassionate and enthusiastic Band 3 Support Workers to work as part of a dedicated team of professionals that provides the highest standards of care and support to predominately older people with acute mental health needs.



Heathfield Ward is an 18-bedded all-female integrated functional acute mental health ward, providing care for predominantly older aged adults.



We are building a new hospital in Bexhill to replace our inpatient services at the Department of Psychiatry. This means that, if you are successful in your application, you will be asked to transfer to the new facilities when it opens in 2026



Inpatient Healthcare support workers are part of the ward based clinical team and will have a key role to play in developing and fostering a therapeutic relationship with patients to develop a culture of recovery.



Successful candidates will have strong communication and people skills, a non-judgmental approach and above all a real caring attitude and be prepared to make a difference.



You will work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse and will be expected to assist on all aspects expected in a clinical ward environment including undertaking a range of delegated clinical care duties.



You will work with the multi-disciplinary team to establish and deliver personal care to patients on the inpatient ward providing factual information to patients, offering reassurance, tact and empathy.



As a Mental Health Trust, Sussex Partnership places a huge focus on the wellbeing of our staff, as well as ensuring our reward packages reflect the immensely important work they do.

Your benefits:

Access to a host of discount schemes including Blue Light Card Generous holiday entitlement (starting at 27 days plus 8 Bank Holidays) Excellent NHS Pension Discounted Gym Memberships A position within a Trust rated as 'Outstanding' for caring and 'Good' overall by the CQC Access to full psychological support via our internal wellbeing team Excellent supervision programmes, with ongoing opportunities for training and development.

In return for your skills and expertise we can offer you continued training and development, variety and a rewarding challenge and the opportunity to work within a friendly and supportive team



You must be able to deliver a high standard of inpatient nursing care using excellent communication and relationship skills supporting patients with mental health needs.



You must be able to adopt a flexible approach to hours of duty meeting the needs of the service over a 24-hour period.



You will support the Registered Nursing Staff in the clinical management of service users who are implementing nursing care. You will be actively engaging, observing, reporting and recording changes in the patients physical, mental health and behaviour.



You will also provide the necessary physical care to patients to help them complete daily living activities; assisting with personal care and daily living activities which includes personal hygiene, diet and fluid intake.



See attached and Person Specification for full details