Healthcare Support Worker

Job overview
This role supports people using our detoxification services by delivering safe, compassionate and recovery-focused care as part of a multidisciplinary team.
You'll work closely with nurses, clinicians and support staff to monitor patient wellbeing, assist with therapeutic activities, and ensure a safe environment throughout the 24-hour care cycle.
You'll also contribute to service improvements, promote independence, and help us uphold our values every day while working within one of the region's specialist inpatient detox units.
As part of this role, you will have the opportunity to train in various therapeutic and recovery focused techniques. The role also requires the post holder to become a trained phlebotomist as taking bloods is part of the admissions process.
Fant Oast is a stand alone unit in the beautiful Kent Country side on a farm and is not easily accessible by public transport. There is free parking on site.

Main duties of the job

• Record and report accurately any changes in patient behaviour and/or risks to the Nurse in Charge in a timely manner.
• Document all care delivered and report any omissions promptly and accurately.
• Support and carry out therapeutic observations as required and instructed
• Contribute to the care planning process by making informed recommendations based on patient presentation and progress.
• Record and report accurately any changes in patient withdrawals symptoms or presentation to the Nurse in Charge in a timely manner.
• Promote a healthy, safe and secure environment by adhering to Trust health and safety requirements and maintaining confidentiality in line with all relevant policies, procedures and protocols.
• Act as a role model, supporting new team members through demonstration and explanation of tasks and appropriate techniques.
• Demonstrate a professional approach to work and uphold Trust values in all interactions.
• Provide comfort, compassion, empathy and time to patients, their carers, families and loved ones.
• Undertake and maintain all essential training required for the role.
• Balance responsibilities across a 7-day working pattern, ensuring consistent contribution to service delivery.
• Be flexible and responsive to competing demands within the unit.

Working for our organisation
We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.
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. And 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 doing well together.
Take a look at our Healthcare Assistant video

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Care Certificate completed or ability to complete within 6 months

Knowlege and skills

Essential criteria

• To have a good understanding of mental health conditions, substance misuse, and addiction appropriate to the setting.
• Numeracy and English literacy skills
• Ability to undertake physical health checks and observations

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a detox/addiction settings.

Desirable criteria

• NHS Experience

Important Information:
In cases where we receive a high volume of applications for a post, it may be necessary to bring the closing date forward. Please submit your completed application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Due to the high volume of applications received, it is not possible to respond individually to your application. Should you not hear from us within six weeks of the vacancy closing, please assume that your application has not been successful.

Probation Period. New employees external to the trust are subject to a six-month probationary period.
To deliver an effective service it is essential in some of our roles that you are able to travel between work bases in a timely manner.
Production of false or forged documents/qualifications in order to obtain employment is a criminal offence and will be reported to the Police.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Certain roles are subject to criminal record checks called Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. Therefore, you will be required to submit a completed Disclosure form to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust are signed up to NHS England's Sexual Safety in Health Care Organisational Charter
The trust takes a systematic zero-tolerance approach to tackle any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace and in our care provision. We are committed to sexual safety which encompasses prevention, support and decisive action against perpetrators. We are committed to keeping you and our patients safe.

Use of AI when writing job applications
While AI tools can be helpful in generating ideas and drafting initial versions, they should never be the sole source for writing your job application.
AI cannot truly understand the specific job you're applying for or what makes you a good fit. Therefore, it's crucial to personalise any AI-generated content to accurately reflect your skills, experiences, and aspirations.
Relying solely on AI to write your application may result in generic, impersonal, and potentially inaccurate content. Always review and refine any AI-generated text to ensure it effectively communicates your experience, skills, accomplishments, and aspirations, and demonstrates your suitability for the position.