Skip to main content
Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Healthcare Assistant
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Shift)
Job ref
364-A-9757
Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Lakes Site
Town
Colchester
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/02/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Clinical Healthcare Assistant (SITE) The Lakes

Band 3

Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk. 

We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.

You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive. 

The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.

We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years. 

We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.

We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.  

Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the role of Site Co-ordinator within our Colchester inpatient facilities.

The Site Co-ordinator is key to ensuring that services continue to operate in a clinically effective and safe manner, including overnight and weekend periods. You will provide clinical oversight and assurance across a given site/ locality and be the first point of contact. You will be instrumental in maintaining and delivering high standards of quality care and patient safety.

This role involves both variety and complexity of working in a rapidly evolving programme of whole system change, presenting a fantastic opportunity to be part of our radical journey.

You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7 day a week, 24 hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts as appropriate and as rostered.

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all of our job roles.  If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately your application form be rejected from the process.

Please note this vacancy requires a face to face interview with the Recruiting Manager. Applicants that are unable to attend a face to face interview need not apply.

Main duties of the job

  • To oversee the appropriate management of all instances of seclusion as per policy. 
  • To participate in the daily weekend Sit Rep process and Safer Staffing Calls in order to ensure the coordination of flow and capacity in keeping with Trust Bed Management procedures and protocols:
  • To participate in the daily safe staffing procedure by ensuring safer staffing information for all wards on site is updated in readiness for Sit Rep calls.
  • To screen all ward requests for contact with the Senior on Call Clinical Manager.
  • To ensure patient discharge/leave is recorded on Mobius/Paris as soon as a bed becomes available to maintain accurate and ‘live’ bed occupancy.
  • To ensure that all planned ward based therapeutic and recreational programmes are maintained.
  • Responsible for the management of the Section 136 Health Based Place of Safety and in liaison with the Senior on Call Manager ensuring all appropriate protocols are followed in the event of needing to suspend its use; in line with protocol.
  • Ensure HBPoS occupancy tracker is updated to reflect current occupancy/vacancy status in readiness for Sit Rep calls @ 9am & 3.30pm.
  • To manage all emergency situations in line with local and Trust Policies and to attend the area where the emergency/incident has originated.
  • To provide and receive detailed and thorough handovers ensuring that incoming Site Coordinators are fully briefed on all relevant activity and the management of any situations currently in hand.

Working for our organisation

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you. 

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication. 

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus. 

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The role is supernumerary, with the opportunity to be based on a ward/unit dependent on clinical and operational need. We are looking for autonomous, driven, solution-focused and confident practitioner(s).

You will have formal and delegated authority to take managerial decisions pertaining to clinical, operational, and resource related issues in the absence of the substantive Clinical Manager, working closely with other members of the senior on call team.

You will be responsible for the implementation of high standards of care delivery, ensuring the service provided is needs-led, compliant with national guidance and is viewed positively by service users.

You will have the opportunity to influence and promote improved, dynamic and effective clinical practice across the service.

Working from time to time without direct supervision but under the supervision of qualified team member, you will implement and assist with the evaluation of individual plans of care for patients and in their management and care under the guidance of the ward manager/Matron.

You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7 day a week, 24 hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts as appropriate and as rostered.

In delivering your duties you are expected to display behaviours that are aligned with the Trust values and as required in accordance with the NHS Constitution at all times. 

  • Report and document incidents as required
  • Report all malfunctions, shortage and inadequacies of equipment and supplies to senior staff.
  • Co-operate with senior staff to report and investigate incidents such as complaints and accidents and ensure that appropriate documentation is completed.
  • Take part in service development and review
  • Ensure the service meets the agreed performance / contractual targets and adheres to local and government initiatives
  • Undertake and complete training relevant to the national Care Certificate competency framework

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

- Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures

 - To participate in the staff appraisal process and to undertake for any staff you manage

 - To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy 

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) brings together key health, care, community, and voluntary sector organisations from across our area. Our aim is to work together in partnership to join up health and care services, improving our population’s health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. One such example of this collaborative work is the launch of our HCA Academy, an ICS initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) to support the incoming Health Care assistant (HCA) workforce. The academy models a ‘one workforce’ cross system approach to the onboarding, induction, education and experience of Healthcare Assistants.

To support this ‘one workforce model’ the successful candidate for this post will be required to attend our 5 day (Monday to Friday) face to face Induction Programme at our MSE ICS Education Hub at Brentwood Community Hospital. Your start date will therefore fall on one of two of the HCA Academy induction dates across the month, which will be discussed and agreed during the recruitment process.

Our HCA Academy Induction programme has been designed to train and support the successful candidate through the early stages of their employment at EPUT and will provide opportunities to enhance skills, knowledge and experience.

Further information will be provided post interview.

This will be followed by an additional 5 day (Monday to Friday) EPUT corporate / mandatory training welcome. (EPUT Welcome will be varied between face to face and virtual delivery). 

 

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • Educated to GCSE grade c or above in English & Maths
  • Demonstrated a commitment for further learning
  • Willingness to complete Health & Social Care Level 2/3 apprenticeship
Desirable criteria
  • Previous NHS experience

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Awareness of safeguarding
  • Awareness of confidentiality
Desirable criteria
  • Basic understanding of legislation relating to care.
  • Awareness of NICE guidance

Skills & Experience

Essential criteria
  • Effective Communication skills
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in a team

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Essex Family Friendly Employers

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Chelsie Davey
Job title
Matron
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01206 228978