Healthcare Assistant
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
- Hours / week
- 37.5
- Posted
- 22/09/2026
- Closes
- 04/10/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This Healthcare Assistant role is based at Lee Mill Low Secure Unit, a 12-bed male inpatient ward providing specialist mental health care. The successful candidate will provide day-to-day support and care under nurse supervision, making a significant impact on vulnerable patients' lives. The role involves assisting with physical, social, and psychological care, carrying out interventions as part of care plans, and participating in community activities. It requires working a 24/7 rotational shift pattern, including nights, and attending physical intervention training.
Essential criteria
- Awareness of personal safety
- Confidentiality
- De-escalation skills
- Knowledge of Secure Environment
- Knowledge of recovery principles
- Knowledge of Record Keeping
- MHA knowledge / awareness
- Continual assessment of patient
Desirable criteria
- Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills
- Knowledge of solution focused approach
- NVQ Level 3 in Care or equivalent or relevant health care experience/setting
- Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit with other staff
- Record keeping skills
- Aware of social inclusion role
- Care Certificate
- Ability to work with minimum of supervision
- Time Management
- To undertake baseline physical observations
- Computer skills
- Skills / Experience
- Effective Communication Skills
- Ability to contribute to the process of and the delivery of high standard of care as planned in care programme
- Ability to participate in activities with patients
- To work rotational shift pattern over 24 hours
- Requirement to train and participate in Physical Intervention training
- Reliable, Motivated & Empathetic
- Confidence in dealing with patients
- Ability to work in stressful conditions
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Positive outlook
- Experience of working with people
- Mental Health experience within an NHS setting
- Working within a Multi Disciplinary Team
- Awareness of personal safety
- Confidentiality
- De-escalation skills
- Knowledge of Secure Environment
- Knowledge of recovery principles
- Knowledge of Record Keeping
- MHA knowledge / awareness
- Continual assessment of patient
- Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills
- Knowledge of solution focused approach
- NVQ Level 3 in Care or equivalent or relevant health care experience/setting
- Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit with other staff
- Record keeping skills
- Aware of social inclusion role
- Care Certificate
- Ability to work with minimum of supervision
- Time Management
- To undertake baseline physical observations
- Computer skills
- Skills / Experience
- Effective Communication Skills
- Ability to contribute to the process of and the delivery of high standard of care as planned in care programme
- Ability to participate in activities with patients
- To work rotational shift pattern over 24 hours
- Requirement to train and participate in Physical Intervention training
- Reliable, Motivated & Empathetic
- Confidence in dealing with patients
- Ability to work in stressful conditions
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Positive outlook
- Experience of working with people
- Mental Health experience within an NHS setting
- Working within a Multi Disciplinary Team
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 3 at £24,625 – £25,674 a year, across England.
This advert: £25,760 – £27,476 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 0d ago · Closes in 13d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Livewell Southwest
Healthcare Assistant
The closing date is 04 October 2026
Job summary
37.5 hours per week
Lee Mill Low Secure Unit is a 12-bed male inpatient ward set in the small village of Lee Mill just outside of Plymouth. We provide specialist mental health care for men who have often been involved in the legal system due to their mental health needs. The staff at Lee Mill are passionate about providing the highest level of patient centred care to an often challenging and disadvantaged patient group.
The Lee Mill team receives regular positive feedback celebrating our dedication to promote recovery and work collaboratively with our patient group and the kindness and respect demonstrated by the team, our most recent review was rated as good and outstanding.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, passionate and committed HCA to join our highly motivated team. You will provide day to day support and care under the supervision of the nurse in charge which will make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable people from the South West region. It is an exciting time to join us as Lee Mill is involved in a variety of projects including the focus on Reducing Restrictive Practice and the Culture of Care.
We will offer access to further training, including essential training for staff working within secure services, and there are good promotional
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