Health Care Assistant

• Provide constant (1:1) observation to patients within the custodial healthcare setting as directed by a Registered Nurse, maintaining continuous visual contact in line with Oxleas and HMPPS protocols.
• Support the safety and wellbeing of patients at risk of self-harm or suicide , including those managed under the ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) process .
• Observe and report on patients mental state, behaviour, presentation, and risk indicators , promptly escalating any concerns to the Nurse in Charge or relevant healthcare professional .
• Maintain dynamic risk awareness within a prison environment, including vigilance around:

Ligature risks

• Concealed items
• Behavioural escalation
• Deliver basic therapeutic engagement , providing reassurance, active listening, and encouraging the use of coping and distraction techniques appropriate to the custodial setting.
• Work collaboratively with both healthcare staff and prison officers , ensuring a coordinated approach to patient safety and risk management.
• Maintain a safe clinical environment , reporting and escalating any environmental or security risks in line with prison and healthcare procedures.
• Accurately complete observation records and entries in ACCT documentation (where appropriate) , ensuring all records are timely, factual, and defensible.
• Undertake and record physical observations (vital signs) such as temperature, pulse, respiration rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation as delegated by the Registered Nurse , promptly reporting any abnormalities or concerns.
• Support patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) where appropriate, maintaining dignity within security constraints.
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times, recognising the complexities of working in a custodial environment.
• Participate in handover processes , ensuring clear communication of risk, care needs, and incidents, with no gaps in observation.
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations , including self-harm, medical emergencies, and behavioural incidents, seeking support as required.
• Adhere to Oxleas policies and HMPPS security procedures , including safer custody, safeguarding, infection control, and information governance.
• Participate in mandatory and prison-specific training , including personal safety, security awareness, and ACCT processes.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE READ

All applicants must be willing to undertake National Security Vetting in order to work in a Prison Setting. This will be completed as part of the pre-employment checks through Oxleas and the prison vetting team.

You will need to provide

• Proof of right to work documentation
• Proof of ID, needs to include 1 photographic ID
• Proof of address documentation
• Non-UK passport holders will need to have correct documentation (right to work in the UK) and a Home office Share code.

Address History

5 years address history will be needed.

Applicants that are not UK Passport holders who provide less than 5 years UK address history will need to provide a Police Certificate which must be in English from where they resided previously.

Applicants who are UK Passport holders who have lived abroad for a period of more than six months during the last three years will need to provide a certificate of good conduct or an overseas police check in English from the countries resided in or visited.

In order to assist you in obtaining a Police Certificate, guidance can be soughtfrom:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

If the country you have resided in is not listed here, you can obtain the necessary information by contacting the relevant Embassy or High Commission for that Country. Their contact details can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en).