Clinical Support Worker

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Mental Health Urgent Treatment Centre (MHUTC) for a Band 3 team member.

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate individual to join our dynamic and supportive team. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering high-quality care within a fast-paced urgent mental health setting, supporting service users in crisis and contributing to the smooth running of the service.

This role offers excellent opportunities for learning, development, and career progression. You will be supported to build your skills and competencies within a multidisciplinary environment committed to staff wellbeing and continuous improvement.

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an interview.

Main duties of the job

What we need:

-Demonstrate a positive, caring, and compassionate attitude when supporting service users presenting in mental health crisis.

-Show enthusiasm, reliability, and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality care within a fast-paced urgent treatment environment.

-Display a willingness to learn, undertake training, and develop competencies relevant to the Mental Health Urgent Treatment Centre (MHUTC).

-Work collaboratively as part of the multidisciplinary team to support the effective day-to-day running of the service.

-Under the direct supervision and guidance of a Registered Nurse, Advanced Practitioner, or Nurse Practitioner, assist in the delivery of safe, effective, and person-centred care.

-Support service users with their physical, psychological, and social needs, contributing to a recovery-focused approach through therapeutic engagement.

-Assist in facilitating meaningful activities and interventions aimed at reducing distress and promoting wellbeing.

-Observe, report, and respond appropriately to changes in a service user's presentation, escalating concerns in a timely manner.

-Contribute to maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment within the MHUTC, including supporting risk management and de-escalation where appropriate.

-Take an active role in addressing any issues that arise during shifts, seeking guidance when required and ensuring care remains safe and effective.

About us

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners.

SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field.

Job description

Job responsibilities

-Work under the direct supervision and guidance of a Registered Nurse, Advanced Practitioner, or Nurse Practitioner to support the delivery of safe and effective care within the MHUTC.

-Undertake activities to ensure the fundamentals of care are consistently met, including nutrition, hydration, personal hygiene, comfort, and emotional and social support, within a fast-paced urgent care setting.

-Support the effective flow of service users through the MHUTC by recognising the need for timely assessment, engagement, and escalation to senior colleagues, contributing to safe and efficient transfers of care.

-Provide direct, hands-on care to service users presenting in mental health crisis, ensuring care is responsive to individual needs.

-Engage in 1:1 therapeutic interactions with service users in an honest, open, and non-judgemental manner, promoting trust and reducing distress.

-Treat all service users as individuals, maintaining dignity, respect, and upholding equality and diversity in all aspects of care.

-Observe, recognise, and promptly escalate any concerns regarding a service users mental or physical health to a Registered Nurse or appropriate senior clinician.

-Monitor and record clinical observations, including physical observations and vital signs, as directed by a Registered Nurse or senior clinician, and escalate any signs of deterioration or deviation from expected parameters.

-Support the implementation of recovery-focused principles by encouraging service users to engage in supportive interventions, brief therapeutic activities, and discussions that promote wellbeing and coping strategies within the MHUTC environment.

-Contribute to maintaining a safe, calm, and therapeutic environment, supporting de-escalation and risk management in line with MHUTC protocols.

See enclosed JD for details on main responsibilities.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential
-Care Certificate.
-English and Mathematics basic qualifications (e.g. GCSE at grade C or above) or equivalent.

Desirable
-Level 2/3 Health and Social care qualification / working towards qualification.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential
-At least one year as a Healthcare Support Worker, or equivalent level of experience.

Desirable
-Lived experience of mental health problems

Skills

Essential
-Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service user's needs, without close supervision, and acting on own initiative, within protocols, policies and care plans.
-Resilient: able to respond appropriately to potential difficult interpersonal situations or demands of the role including distress and agitation.
-Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times.
-Communications skills - receiving and conveying information accurately with staff and with service users and able to keep accurate records.

Desirable
-Experience in facilitating groups.

Other Requirements

Essential
-Flexibility to work 24hr Shifts, 7 days a week and across all clinical areas.
-Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times.
-Ability to fulfil all the requirements of the role (including physical requirements).