Healthcare Assistant – Inpatient
The closing date is 16 July 2026.
An opportunity has arisen for a Health Care Assistant to join our team.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Are you a compassionate respectful team player committed to promoting excellence, and accountability in mental health services? Do you have excellent communication skills that would enable you to work within a challenging inpatient mental health unit? Working in teams that constantly strive to provide the best possible experience for our service users and their carers?
The Unit provides assessment and interventions for clients, operates seven days a week and is accessible 24hrs per day.
Mental health services at Dane Garth, Furness General Hospital, Barrow are designed to meet the holistic needs of service users/patients and carers, in a working environment conducive to staff development and wellbeing.
Main Duties
- Ideally you should have previous experience of working within mental health settings or in a care setting.
- You should be able to demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the issues that contribute to individuals experiencing mental health difficulties.
- Work as an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), working within a rotational shift system to support patients according to their care needs, some of whom may present with problematic or challenging behaviour.
- Contribute to, and participate in, the ongoing support of patients and their carers.
- Contribute to the protection of patients from abuse.
- Provide full engagement in the supervision process for yourself and support others as appropriate.
- Work shifts covering 24 hours, seven days a week; both full and part time contracts are available.
- Support the delivery of care in the inpatient units.
- Work in a setting that encourages staff development and lifelong learning, engaging fully in the supervision process and supporting others where appropriate.
Diversity and Inclusion
LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.
Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under‑represented groups. We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.
Work Arrangements and Wellbeing
We support flexible working; we consider term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi‑time. We offer resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
- Willingness to complete NVQ Level III or higher in Health and Social Care.
- Completion of Social Care or QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care training.
Knowledge
- Demonstrate an understanding of the issues surrounding mental illness.
- Understanding duties and responsibilities under the Data Protection Act with regard to patient confidentiality.
Experience
- Can demonstrate the equivalent skills and knowledge gained through work (paid/unpaid).
- Experience working in a caring environment, e.g., nursing home, care home, hospital ward, home carer etc.
- Working as part of a team.
Personal
- Ability to communicate in a clear and compassionate manner.
- Able to follow direction from senior staff.
- Ability to understand when to elevate concerns.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
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