Job summary
As an Activity Worker you will develop an activities programme and use a range of activities to provide group and individual sessions which promote physical, social and mental well-being.
You will be working closely with the multidisciplinary team to provide meaningful activities.
You will be involved in ward review meetings, Clinical Improvement Group meetings and monthly Carers' meeting to give feedback on the programmes of activities available to patients.
You will communicate with the patient, the relatives/carer, and multidisciplinary team and external agencies involved in the provision of the patient's care and report all communication as required.
Main duties of the job
Your day-to-day role involves organising daily activities for all patients on the unit which includes:
Talking with people about what activities they might enjoy.
Organising activities that are tailored to the needs of individuals, and group activities to bring people together.
Engaging on 1:1 with those patients who may find it difficult to engage in group activities.
Booking external entertainment.
Organising transport and trips out in the local community.
Helping people take part in the activities.
Engaging with carers discussing their loved ones' choice of activities.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse providers of mental health, community and social care in the UK.
Our 3,982 staff care for people in hospital and in the community, helping them to recover and go on to lead full and productive lives. We aim to be the best organisation of our kind in the country.
We provide care and treatment for more than 800,000 people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow, delivering services in the community (at home, in GP surgeries and care homes), hospital, specialist clinics and forensic (secure) units.
We'rerated good overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Together, we're committed to promoting hope and wellbeing, working with patients, service users, carers, families and partners across the communities we serve.
We are keen to ensure that our workforce reflects the community it serves, particularly in terms of ethnicity, gender, disability, LGBTQ+ and experience of mental illness.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To develop & implement a ward activities programme in consultation with service users, the Ward Manager and ward-based OT, and coordinate & deliver the activities in line with this programme, to include the delivery of individual and group activities, and generally without direct supervision.
- To develop and maintain effective, therapeutic and professional relationships with patients, including patients who may be considered difficult to engage or may present as a risk to self / others.
- To ensure respect, dignity and age appropriateness is maintained at all times.
- To provide technical and professional support to patients engaging in therapeutic activities.
- To assist in the development of patients skills and social confidence, whilst promoting patient involvement in all aspects of their care.
- Use hobby /leisure / therapy skills to maintain and develop skills
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To develop & implement a ward activities programme in consultation with service users, the Ward Manager and ward-based OT, and coordinate & deliver the activities in line with this programme, to include the delivery of individual and group activities, and generally without direct supervision.
- To develop and maintain effective, therapeutic and professional relationships with patients, including patients who may be considered difficult to engage or may present as a risk to self / others.
- To ensure respect, dignity and age appropriateness is maintained at all times.
- To provide technical and professional support to patients engaging in therapeutic activities.
- To assist in the development of patients skills and social confidence, whilst promoting patient involvement in all aspects of their care.
- Use hobby /leisure / therapy skills to maintain and develop skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Proven evidence of an acceptable level of education/qualification (e.g. CSE, GCSE, O Level)
- NVQ level 3 (or working towards)
Desirable
- Any relevant qualifications Relevant Group Work related courses. City & Guilds 730
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience in a health care setting
Desirable
- Experience of work in mental health, challenging behaviour or learning disabilities.
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate an interest in continuing personal and professional development.
- Knowledge of the importance of meaningful activity
Desirable
- Willing to undertake further training as required
- Knowledge of methods of engagement with patients
Skills
Essential
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Your ability to understand and follow procedures.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Good communications skills both written and verbal.
- Able to demonstrate interests/hobbies and crafts
- Basic IT skills.
- Proven team player with a flexible approach.
- Able to develop and maintain professional boundaries.
- Able to form good working relationships in a multi-disciplinary setting whilst being competent to work autonomously
- Ability to impart knowledge to others, supervise and direct work of others.
- Demonstrate the importance of cultural and other differences in working with people in a safe and sensitive manner.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage own stress
- Competent to work independently, with individual patients and with the provision of group work.
- Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Desirable
- Experience of team building.
- Demonstrate motivation through own personal interest.
- A sound knowledge of current mental health delivery
- Presentation and/or teaching skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Proven evidence of an acceptable level of education/qualification (e.g. CSE, GCSE, O Level)
- NVQ level 3 (or working towards)
Desirable
- Any relevant qualifications Relevant Group Work related courses. City & Guilds 730
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience in a health care setting
Desirable
- Experience of work in mental health, challenging behaviour or learning disabilities.
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate an interest in continuing personal and professional development.
- Knowledge of the importance of meaningful activity
Desirable
- Willing to undertake further training as required
- Knowledge of methods of engagement with patients
Skills
Essential
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Your ability to understand and follow procedures.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Good communications skills both written and verbal.
- Able to demonstrate interests/hobbies and crafts
- Basic IT skills.
- Proven team player with a flexible approach.
- Able to develop and maintain professional boundaries.
- Able to form good working relationships in a multi-disciplinary setting whilst being competent to work autonomously
- Ability to impart knowledge to others, supervise and direct work of others.
- Demonstrate the importance of cultural and other differences in working with people in a safe and sensitive manner.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage own stress
- Competent to work independently, with individual patients and with the provision of group work.
- Basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Desirable
- Experience of team building.
- Demonstrate motivation through own personal interest.
- A sound knowledge of current mental health delivery
- Presentation and/or teaching skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
