NursingNetUK

Job overview

If you are looking to progress your mental health career pathway, Orchid ward can offer you a great environment that will enable you to develop your skills, knowledge and confidence as an Advanced Clinical Support worker. Our flexible working patterns consisting of short days (7.5hrs), long days (12hrs) & nights (10.75hrs) give colleagues options that support an improved work life balance.   

Orchid is a mixed 20 bed Ward that provides care for older adults with functional mental health conditions. Based in Reading, located close to the amenities of the town centre and a leafy park, the ward works closely with patients and families to help them to identify their needs and participate actively in their care, providing a place of empathy, kindness and compassion. We have created a culture where everyone has a voice and where service users and staff collaborate to make positive change.  

With experience working in a healthcare setting, you will hold a relevant healthcare qualification, including a BCS in Psychology or NVQ/Foundation Degree and demonstrate knowledge and skills gained as a senior support worker, an occupational therapy assistant or similar role.   

Main duties of the job

• Work as part of a designated clinical and care team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual. Carry out specific clinical and care tasks and responsibilities to a high standard and competency, under the direction of a registered Nurse. 
• Have the ability to work without direct supervision, at times delivering care independently in line with the individual’s defined plan of care, within the parameters of practice of the Nursing Associate role, accessing clinical and care advice when needed. 
• Supervise and delegate appropriately to support staff within the team. 

Working for our organisation

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire.

We value diversity and are proud to be a Stonewall Top 100 Employer. We work hard to create an inclusive environment where you’ll be supported by friendly and professional colleagues to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

We welcome people who share these values to come and work for us.

Benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance.
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
• Free parking across Trust sites

Berkshire Healthcare helps people manage their health in their local area, through a range of specialist and community services across the county. We promote independence and quality of life through community and mental health services and aim for seamless delivery of the best care in the right place. We get to know communities and the people in them so we can deliver the best services that meet their health needs.

Our team of 4,300 staff provide specialist mental health and community health services to a population of around 900,000 within Berkshire. We provide healthcare to people in their own homes and from different sites across the county.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.

Appointment to any position is conditional on the satisfactory completion of the core NHS Employment Checks Standards. Information disclosed in your application will be checked and any offer of appointment may be withdrawn if you knowingly withhold information or provide false or misleading information.

Please ensure your application is submitted with a valid email address for your referees in order to minimise delays in the recruitment process. Short-listed applicants will be contacted by email, therefore applicants are advised to check their email accounts regularly.

Applicants are advised that as a result of the high level of response we receive for some of our vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date.

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust is committed to improving the health of its staff, patients and the wider community by providing a smoke free environment. A smoke free policy is in operation and smoking is not permitted on any of the Trust’s sites.

No agencies to contact Berkshire Healthcare directly please.