Community Healthcare Support Worker - Older Persons Mental HealthNHS

Job summary

Older Persons Mental Health Team in Portsmouth are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Health Care Support Worker to join our friendly and supportive team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of older people and is keen to develop a career in mental health services. Previous experience in older adult mental health is welcomed but not essential, as full support, training and development will be provided to the right candidate.

We are looking for someone who is caring, compassionate and eager to learn. An interest in working with older adults and supporting patients and their families is essential. You will gain experience in caring for people living with dementia and other mental health conditions, while developing your understanding of physical health, frailty and holistic patient care.

You will work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, visiting patients in their own homes, monitoring progress and treatments, and helping to ensure they receive high quality care and support. Strong communication skills, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn are more important than previous experience.

The Trust is unable to offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Main duties of the job

You don't need previous experience in mental health care to apply. We're looking for someone who is caring, reliable and eager to learn.

In this role, you will:

• Visit patients in their own homes as part of a supportive team.
• Build positive relationships with patients, their families and carers.
• Support older people experiencing mental health difficulties, including dementia.
• Monitor patients' wellbeing and report any concerns to qualified staff.
• Carry out basic health checks following training, such as blood pressure, pulse and temperature.
• Keep accurate records of patient care using our computer systems.
• Work closely with nurses and other healthcare professionals to help provide the best possible care.
• Treat everyone with dignity, respect and compassion.
• Take part in training and development opportunities to build your skills and confidence.

We'd love to hear from you if you are:

• Passionate about helping others.
• Kind, patient and compassionate.
• A good listener with strong communication skills.
• Confident working on your own and as part of a team.
• Keen to learn new skills and develop a career in healthcare.
• Respectful of different backgrounds, beliefs and life experiences.

Full training and ongoing support will be provided, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to start a career in healthcare or mental health services.

A full driving licence and access to a car are essential, as you will be travelling to patients' homes across Portsmouth.

Job description

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides joined-up mental and physical healthcare for around two million people across our communities. With over 13,000 staff working in the community and local hospitals, we deliver care at every stage of life, helping people live their best and healthiest lives.

Our mental health services include community-based support and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) for both adults and young people, alongside a network of specialist inpatient wards covering forensic, learning disability, eating disorder and older person's care.

We deliver extensive physical health services too, from urgent community response teams helping frail and older patients remain safely at home, to hospitals at home teams providing acute-level care in familiar surroundings. Our neurological services offer rehabilitation and treatment for conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Head Injury, Cerebral Palsy and Stroke. Across Hampshire, our community hospitals provide inpatient rehabilitation as a step down from acute care, and our dedicated teams also staff Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Portsmouth, offering expert, compassionate support.

Everything we do is underpinned by our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect and excellence