Job Introduction
Join our friendly team as a Healthcare Assistant at CRG Medical Services based in HMP Prison, Chelmsford.
Playing an integral role within our prison service, which aims to ensure primary care is at the heart of our everyday role, working as part of a team delivering care to patients both within the Healthcare Centre and on the Wings / House blocks within the prison environment.
You will work Monday to Friday 08:00 – 18:00 with 1 weekend in every month but you then get days off in the week.
Main Responsibility
- To contribute and support nurses in the delivery of primary care whilst having the ability to undertake lone working within a secure environment.
- Carry out assigned unsupervised nursing care, which will involve the direct and indirect care of patients.
- Assist with Nurse led clinics
- Lead on Wellbeing and Health Promotion Clinics
- Assessment, treatment, and evaluation of patient’s care. With supervision and support from trained nursing staff.
- Minor offender queries
- Initiate emergency response and care when first on scene.
- Attending first aid training
- Support and assist patients with activities of daily living.
- Apply appropriate knowledge and understanding of patient’s individual needs, in accordance with care plans.
- Facilitate and support recognised health screening programmes and record and document appropriately
- Attend team meetings, to discuss patient care and allocated work lists. Attend meetings as a HCSW representative
- Give minimum clerical support within the healthcare team.
- To report accidents, violent incidents and complaints according to agreed policies and procedures.
- Undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade and ability of the post holder as determined by the senior nurse.
- Take a lead in the ordering and stock control of medical equipment and disposables
- In accordance with Care UK policy and NMC guidelines participate in the administration and storage of medication.
- Support pharmacy work
- To maintain standards of infection control within the department and during clinical care and to assist patients to maintain their own infection control needs
- Respond to any situation or circumstance that may indicate threat to security, completing security information reports when appropriate.
- To achieve acquired standard of security awareness and breakaway techniques.
- Ensure the safe and secure transportation of medication and clinical records throughout the establishment.
- Escorting of healthcare related visitors and prisoners where it is deemed appropriate by the IC in accordance with prison security standards.
Most Challenging Part of the Job
- Working with clients who may exhibit high levels of aggression.
- Working with a client group which are predominantly socially disadvantaged. A high proportion have problems associated with mental illness and/or substance misuse.
- Managing competing priorities, agendas expectations and the constraints of working in prisons.
- Ensuring practice is evidence based and services are equivalent.
- To develop a shared understanding of the concept and practice of promoting health as well as providing health care within the prison environment.
- To manage the emotional effects of personal and verbal aggression which regularly questions ones professional status and ability.
- To manage the emotional effects of dealing with attempted and rarely, actual suicide attempts and self-harm as well as the subsequent standard legal processes.
The Ideal Candidate
Person Specification
- Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
- Ability to build and develop relationships
- Must be confident and capable of autonomous practice and able to work independently
- To act as a patients advocate in a non-judgemental manner
Essential Experience / Qualifications
- All candidates are subject to prison vetting checks
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multi professional team within a fast-paced environment
Desirable Experience
- Experience in a Prison environment
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Package Description
- Free DBS
- Employee of the Quarter bonus (nomination based)
- Support with the revalidation for Nurses
- Additional funded training opportunities available upon application
- Refer a friend scheme worth £250
About the Company
We have experience delivering solutions for Police Forces, ranging from some of the most rural areas in the country to heavily urbanised populations.
We work closely with our police partners and other stakeholders across the secure healthcare market to provide high quality, innovative solutions in this challenging environment.
Our work allows us to help some of the most vulnerable members of society, reaching a number of patients who may otherwise receive no professional healthcare support.
