Senior Healthcare Support Worker - Bures Ward

Job overview

Are you an experienced HCSW with a positive, adaptive and enthusiastic outlook looking for an exciting and dynamic role?

Do you have a passion for caring for patients with enhanced therapeutic care needs? Do you want the advantages of a permanent NHS position with the flexibility to choose your own shifts?

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join Bures Ward, a highly skilled and versatile team that works across Colchester hospital, providing vital support to all adult clinical specialities.

Bures Ward Healthcare Support Workers will assist across all adult wards and departments of the hospital, for patients who may require additional support due to their illness, unfamiliar surroundings, medication, mental health or challenging behaviour needs. Enhanced observation is an integral part of a therapeutic plan and ensures the safe and sensitive monitoring of a patient’s physical and psychological wellbeing, whilst building therapeutic relationships.

Enhanced therapeutic observational care could be supporting ‘cohorted’ or patients who require 1-1 support.  Enhanced care shifts will be assigned for no longer than 2-hour increments while supporting patients and staff across a variety of clinical settings.

This dynamic team will play a pivotal role in responding to operational demands, ensuring our ward and departments receive the support they need when they need it most.

Previous applicants need not apply

Main duties of the job

This unique position offers the right candidate a chance to gain experience across a wide variety of specialities, developing your skills and expertise to become a highly versatile and experienced health care support worker. By working across diverse clinical areas, you’ll build a wealth of knowledge and adaptability, empowering you to thrive in any situation and provide exceptional care. You will need to be flexible and adaptable as you could be supporting multiple areas during a shift – going where the need is greatest.

This role is perfect for someone who is eager to grow, embrace challenges and make a significant impact across the hospital.

We are committed to supporting you on this journey, providing the training and development needed to help you become the very best in this role.

In addition, we offer flexible working arrangements and self-rostering, we want you to thrive in your new role while maintaining a healthy work life balance.  Choose your own shifts from available lates, nights, twilights and middle shifts.

You’ll receive up to 2 weeks of specialist training (including in-depth enhanced observations and mental health) prior to the team going live. You will also be offered supernumerary time in areas you may not have worked in before to build your confidence, knowledge and skills.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To work as a member of Bures Ward under the supervision and guidance of the Registered Nurse, providing support to all areas of the Trust, moving between areas as service needs require.
• To build therapeutic and meaningful relationships with patients.
• To engage in therapeutic activities with patients to support their recovery of physical and mental health needs.
• To support the Registered Nursing staff in the initial assessment and ongoing care of patients, under supervision.
• To support the Registered Nursing staff in delivering individualised, safe and quality care to patients.
• To support the Registered Nursing staff in maintaining a safe clinical environment.
• To always communicate effectively with all members of the public and the multi-disciplinary team.

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.