Physical Health Support Worker

We are looking for a Physical Health Support Worker to deliver high‑quality physical health support to individuals under the care of Core Mental Health Services in Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Main responsibilities

• Carry out routine physical health monitoring (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, weight, BMI, NEWS2 scoring, waist circumference, metabolic monitoring).
• Support phlebotomy pathways and blood sampling, including venepuncture once trained.
• Assist with ECGs, ensuring appropriate preparation, positioning and patient support.
• Promote healthy lifestyle interventions, providing advice and support to encourage positive health behaviours (smoking cessation, weight management, diet, hydration, exercise, medication adherence, engagement with structured physical activity).
• Support the delivery of the Physical Health Hub & Spoke model to ensure equitable access across localities.
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team (nurses, practitioners, GPs, community partners) to deliver person‑centred care.
• Accurately record and maintain clinical information in the appropriate electronic care record (Physical Health Launchpad, SystmOne, EMIS).
• Provide personalized, recovery‑focused care, help individuals understand their physical health needs and engage with monitoring and further support when required.
• Participate in MDT meetings, audits, data quality improvement, and service development activities.
• Ensure timely escalation of abnormal or deteriorating physical health parameters to registered practitioners.
• Deliver outreach or home‑based visits for individuals unable to attend clinics, ensuring equitable access when clinically appropriate.
• Maintain infection control, safeguarding, and safety procedures; follow Trust policies on blood sample labelling, ID verification, and interim solutions.

Qualifications and training

• GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
• Care Certificate (or willingness to complete within 6 months).
• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care.
• Previous training in physical health monitoring, phlebotomy, or ECG is desirable.
• Willingness to undertake venepuncture, ECG, and physical health training.

Person Specification

Physical Skills

• Ability to carry out physical health observations accurately.
• Good communication skills, including with people who may be distressed, ambivalent, or socially isolated.
• Ability to work independently and within an MDT.
• Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and infection control.
• Basic IT skills including electronic record systems.
• Mobility throughout the area covered by the Trust.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.
• Awareness of safeguarding principles.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional therapeutic relationships.
• Good communication and listening skills.
• Ability to work with people in both group and individual settings.
• Awareness of maintaining personal boundaries.

Experience

• Experience working in health or social care.
• Experience supporting individuals with mental health needs.
• Experience providing direct care or health support activities.
• Experience in community or clinic‑based physical health services.
• Experience recording clinical data in electronic systems.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Able to plan work, manage time, complete records and record observations accurately.
• Capable of receiving and acting on leadership and direction from qualified staff.
• Can participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback to relevant parties.

Values

• Compassionate, respectful, non‑judgmental approach.
• Commitment to inclusion and reducing health inequalities.
• Enthusiasm for improving physical health outcomes for people with severe mental illness.
• Self‑motivated and willing to adjust to changing shift patterns.
• Maintain confidentiality, empathy, compassion and patience towards individuals with mental health illness.
• Patience and tolerance in challenging situations.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

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