Band 3 Mental Healthcare Assistants

Overview

This will be a 24/7 service and staff will need to work flexibly to support the clinical areas. The role will include:
To support/advise clinical staff in the safe management of patients who present with mental health difficulties whilst in the hospital setting. To be responsible for patient assessment, planning of care, implementing and supervising safe and compassionate care, and evaluating the effectiveness of care. You will demonstrate leadership qualities and be open, transparent and trustworthy. As a Trust employee, act with integrity and uphold the values and beliefs of the trust and NMC Code of Conduct.

To provide a high standard of individualized patient care reflecting individual needs that involves relatives/carers as appropriate. To be responsible for the co‑ordination, assessments, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for people with mental health problems in the inpatient setting. To provide nursing care to a defined group or to individual patients. Please note that this is a bank role, therefore the Trust will not be able to provide sponsor ships for those who required.

The role of a MHCA is a very privileged role, you will provide personal care and support to patients at their most vulnerable times. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team to provide a compassionate, caring and safe environment for our patients.

• Provide enhanced care and continuous observations to patients with mental health conditions or patients experiencing psychological distress.
• Deliver therapeutic interventions that will reduce agitation and distress and promote recovery.
• Identify factors that increase and decrease agitation/distress for the patient.
• Always deliver care according to the principles of least restriction.
• Carry out assigned tasks as part of the clinical team in support of registered nurses and undertake some aspects of care provision without direct supervision.
• Ensure the safety and well‑being of service users, always working in a manner that promotes dignity and human rights through the adoption of person‑centred care principles.
• Identify when patients are experiencing anxiety/distress and therapeutically engage with them to alleviate these symptoms.
• Actively de‑escalate situations and identify escalation of risk.
• Undertake therapeutic activities appropriate to the patient’s presentation.
• Identify issues that prevent therapeutic engagement of the patient.
• Provide excellent customer care skills to ensure patients come first.
• Undertake a range of delegated clinical care duties to deliver agreed plans of care, acting on own initiative.
• Ensure patients receive high‑quality clinical care and a good patient experience, taking into account their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.
• Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and well‑being of individuals.
• Act as an advocate for patients within the department, ensuring a patient‑orientated approach to the delivery of care and meeting NHS Plan standards and other relevant guidelines.
• Provide support and assistance to professionals in the implementation of plans of care for individual patients.
• Assist with fluid and dietary needs of patients, including completion of menu cards and recording intake and output of fluids and solids.
• Collect specimens from patients and record routine observations of weight, blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiratory rate; report abnormalities and concerns to a Registered Nurse.
• Recognise when patients are in pain and discomfort and report to nurse in charge.
• Maintain and develop own skills, including monitoring blood pressure, glucose levels, oxygen saturations; respond appropriately to clinical emergencies to ensure the patient receives appropriate safe care.
• Undertake physical interventions (restraint) as a last resort only and maintain up‑to‑date training in this area.
• Assist the Registered Nurse with safe handling and mobilisation of patients, transportation when necessary.
• Chaperone patients to other clinical departments following assessment by a registered nurse to maintain patient safety.
• Participate in assessment, admission, discharge and handover…