Job Description

Job Title Mental Health Support Worker

Reporting to

Nurse manager/Clinical Lead

Place of work: 168 medical Group

Contract

Permanent: Full-time / Part-time hours negotiable.

Salary

12.90 (currently under review)

Pier Health Group - Vision

By working together to share knowledge, skills and resources, we are committed to transforming healthcare in innovative ways.

We aim to create a resilient and sustainable organisation with a happy, fulfilled workforce providing an excellent, consistent service to all patients.

Job Summary

The post holder will support patients who are already diagnosed with a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or an enduring mental health problem to give support both proactively and when contacted by patients and families in need. They will give support to those patients who are receiving home-based treatment for mental health and addiction issues in accordance with the principles of social inclusion, promoting independence and recovery.

The post holder will also provide emotional and practical support to individuals and their families who struggle to live independently because of health issues, emotional problems or relationship difficulties. Our Support Workers work with individuals and their families providing practical and emotional support according to their specific difficulties.
Typically, clients include people with physical, mental, or learning disabilities, those who are struggling with drug or alcohol addictions, carers of vulnerable children or adults, or those suffering from marital or other relationship difficulties.

Key Responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the mental health assistant. There may, on occasion, be a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels.

Work under the supervision of qualified staff and carry out duties as designated by the person in charge. To observe report and record changes in the clients physical, mental health and behaviour. To provide care for clients as planned in Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings. To be aware of and work to the principles of the Mental Health Act (MHA). To give and receive clear messages by telephone and or personal contact. To provide physical and psychological care to service users in accordance with the specified plan of clinical care. To provide support to relatives/carers. To work proactively in accordance with the principles of social inclusion, promoting independence and recovery. To act in a manner to respect the customs, individuality, values, sexuality and spiritual beliefs, activity, supporting the individual to fulfil these. To provide emotional support and stability to clients to ensure effective engagement whilst maintaining professional boundaries. To contribute to the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluating care. Create and maintain professional supportive relationships with all members of staff, including the provision of information regarding signposting and referrals for other staff. with other professionals and agencies to enhance recovery. To participate in, and where required co-facilitate, therapeutic and social engagement group work.

Delivering a Quality Service

To assist in the collection of data for the purpose of audit, research and service performance. To contribute to the maintenance and monitoring of service standards. To promote Service User involvement in all aspects of their care. To contribute and make suggestions to the improvement of services. To identify issues of concern at work and alerting appropriate personnel. To present a positive image of the team. To act as an effective team member. Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time. Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working. Contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols, and standards. Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team. Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery. Discuss, highlight, and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care. Manage and lead on the delivery of specifically identified services or projects as agreed with the practice management team. Agree plans and outcomes by which to measure success. Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence. Create clear referral mechanisms to meet patient need.

Management of Risk

To have knowledge of risk assessment and management tools currently in use within the service and to provide care for service users within those guidelines. Recognise potential crisis situations, act responsively/responsibly to alert clinicians. To be aware of the potential for vulnerability and abuse amongst the service users/ families and using the local policy to inform appropriate personnel in line with POVA and Child Protection and PHG Policies. To follow the 168 Lone Working Policy ensuring that home visiting and any autonomous activity is effectively reported and logged. Take all possible precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, service users, the public, by implementing all policies related to health, safety and risk.

Communication

To record all contacts with clients and case notes accurately. Ensure effective communication with clients, relatives and carers, staff and others. To ensure that all communication is within the boundaries of client confidentiality and to seek guidance when unsure.

Team Working

Exchange information with clients using persuasion, tact, empathy and assurance acknowledging barriers to understanding:

To document information to support mental state examination. To ensure that any information related to client or other personal safety is communicated immediately to senior team members.

Managing Information

Use technology and software as an aid to manage the planning, implementation, and monitoring of care, presenting and communicating information clearly. Review and process data using accurate Read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and audit processes. Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases. Understand responsibility of self and others to the practice and wider organisation regarding the Freedom of Information Act

Learning and Development

To participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and performance development. Identify appropriate training needs in line with clinical professional development. To ensure attendance at all mandatory and other essential training. To work towards achieving competencies outline within role and the collection of evidence within personal portfolio.

Equality and Diversity

Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity. Enable others to promote equality and diversity in a non-discriminatory culture. Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights Monitor and evaluate adherence to local chaperoning policies. Act as a role model in the observance of equality and diversity good practice Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers, participate in care and refuse care Assist patients from marginalised groups to access quality care

Person Specification for Mental Health Assistant

Qualifications Essential Desirable

Healthcare qualification (level 3 or 4) or working towards ? gaining equivalent level.

Experience Essential Desirable

Experience of working in a primary care or general practice ? setting

Experience of working with the public ?

Experience of working in a healthcare setting ?

Ability to administer medications including IMI depot ? medication.

Clinical skills and knowledge Essential

Desirable

Understanding of mental health problems and treatment ? options/models that can be used to assist delivery.

Ability to work cooperatively with others ?

Ability to record accurate clinical notes within appropriate ? timescales.

Understanding of the impact of mental health problems on ? function and community living skills

Ability to always maintain a high degree of professionalism, ? especially in complex/challenging situations.

Ability to analyse and resolve professional and ethical issues ?

Knowledge of relevant legislation, joint working practice and ? government initiatives and policies relating to mental health

Ability to work within own scope of practice and understand ? when to refer to Mental Health Practitioners and GPs

Able to recognise and acknowledge own knowledge gaps ? and seek to address these.

Engage in regular supervision ?

Personal qualities Essential Desirable

Excellent communication skills (written and oral) ?

IT proficient ?

Effective time management (Planning & Organising) ?

Ability to work as a team member and autonomously ?

Problem solving & analytical skills ?

Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure ?

Clear, polite telephone manner ?

Good interpersonal skills ?

Knowledge of EMIS ?

Other requirements Essential Desirable

Flexibility to work outside of core office hours ?

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check ?

This document may be amended following consultation with the post holder, to facilitate the development of the role, the practices and the individual.

All personnel should be prepared to accept additional, or surrender existing duties, to enable the efficient running of the practices.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent, Fixed term contract

Ability to commute/relocate:

Weston-Super-Mare: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 17/04/2025

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 13.26 per hour

Benefits:

Company pension Free flu jabs Health & wellbeing programme Sick pay
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Licence/Certification:

NMC (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 04/07/2025