Job summary
We are currently seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated Band 3 Activity Coordinator with a passion in working within Personaility Disorder services to join our Springbank team and Occupational Therapy Department.
You will have the opportunity to be part of a well-recognised specialist service, providing structured activities to those with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD). We provide an innovative, interdisciplinary, and forward-thinking approach to care to support our service users to achieve their goals.
As the activity coordinator for the ward, you will work with both ward staff and the wider multi-disciplinary team to provide a timetable of therapeutic groups and activities to aid our service user's recovery.
You will receive support and supervision from our specialist team to allow you to develop your existing talents, learn new skills and continue to progress as a valued member of the team.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide and coordinate meaningful groups and activities both on the ward and in the community, whilst considering individual interests and goals. You would also offer group-based sessions with a focus on skill development/social inclusion/community integration/recovery.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the ward team in addition to the Occupational Therapy Department (Consisting of a specialist Occupational Therapist (OT) and OT assistant) Also, contributing to service improvement initiatives both on the ward and in the OT department.
You would need the ability to form and build relationships with community-based organizations and third sector organizations.
About us
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities. Please note, you must have an interest in working with Personality Disorders before applying for this post.
- To lead in the planning and organization of therapeutic groups and activities on the ward, with oversight and direction from the specialist Occupational Therapist.
- Working under the regular direction/instruction of an Occupational Therapist, the activity coordinator will ensure groups therapeutic potential is maximized with skill-development and meaningful activity in mind.
- The Activity coordinator may contribute to the assessment completed by the Occupational Therapist by providing feedback on engagement and presentations within groups.
- To monitor and note progress of clients and report back to the qualified Occupational Therapist or relevant professionals/team member.
- To contribute to evaluation, modifying and monitoring of the therapeutic program under supervision of a senior Occupational Therapist or relevant professional.
- To develop and maintain effective, therapeutic and professional relationships with patients, including patients who may be considered difficult to engage or may a present a risk to self / others.
- To assist /support / encourage patients to participate in meaningful and purposeful occupations and routines.
- To work in a manner that is reflective and consistent with the CPFT PRIDE values.
- To contribute and plan service improvement initiatives on the ward.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities. Please note, you must have an interest in working with Personality Disorders before applying for this post.
- To lead in the planning and organization of therapeutic groups and activities on the ward, with oversight and direction from the specialist Occupational Therapist.
- Working under the regular direction/instruction of an Occupational Therapist, the activity coordinator will ensure groups therapeutic potential is maximized with skill-development and meaningful activity in mind.
- The Activity coordinator may contribute to the assessment completed by the Occupational Therapist by providing feedback on engagement and presentations within groups.
- To monitor and note progress of clients and report back to the qualified Occupational Therapist or relevant professionals/team member.
- To contribute to evaluation, modifying and monitoring of the therapeutic program under supervision of a senior Occupational Therapist or relevant professional.
- To develop and maintain effective, therapeutic and professional relationships with patients, including patients who may be considered difficult to engage or may a present a risk to self / others.
- To assist /support / encourage patients to participate in meaningful and purposeful occupations and routines.
- To work in a manner that is reflective and consistent with the CPFT PRIDE values.
- To contribute and plan service improvement initiatives on the ward.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Good level of secondary education to GCSE level (E.g., 5 GCSEs graded A-C or higher)
Desirable
- NVQ level 3 qualification in care, specific technical skill, or equivalent qualifications (E.g., 2 A-Levels A-C or higher)
- Related Health or Social Care qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people who have mental health difficulties, or significant interest in doing so.
- Experience of working within the care sector, or significant interest in doing so.
- Experience in planning and organising activities and groups in a care setting.
Desirable
- Previous experience within Occupational Therapy department or activity coordination role.
- Lived experience of mental health challenges.
- Experience in working with those with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD).
- Experience in adapting groups and activities for individual needs/skill level.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- A positive approach and attitude towards patient care and therapeutic groups.
- Clear communication skills both written and verbal.
- To be a good team worker with effective interpersonal skills.
- To have ability to negotiate and advocate on behalf of client.
- To work with conflict and change.
- To undertake/seek out professional supervision as Presentation skills. Interest areas that could be applied in therapeutic groups and activities. required.
- Confidence in group facilitation.
- Ability to work independently and use own initiative.
Desirable
- Presentation skills
- Interest areas that could be applied in therapeutic groups and activities
Physical/Other
Essential
- Some travel with service users may be required at times.
- To be motivated towards personal and team development.
- Routine and regular use of desk and computer
- Bending, lifting and potential manual handling tasks may be involved.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Good level of secondary education to GCSE level (E.g., 5 GCSEs graded A-C or higher)
Desirable
- NVQ level 3 qualification in care, specific technical skill, or equivalent qualifications (E.g., 2 A-Levels A-C or higher)
- Related Health or Social Care qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people who have mental health difficulties, or significant interest in doing so.
- Experience of working within the care sector, or significant interest in doing so.
- Experience in planning and organising activities and groups in a care setting.
Desirable
- Previous experience within Occupational Therapy department or activity coordination role.
- Lived experience of mental health challenges.
- Experience in working with those with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD).
- Experience in adapting groups and activities for individual needs/skill level.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- A positive approach and attitude towards patient care and therapeutic groups.
- Clear communication skills both written and verbal.
- To be a good team worker with effective interpersonal skills.
- To have ability to negotiate and advocate on behalf of client.
- To work with conflict and change.
- To undertake/seek out professional supervision as Presentation skills. Interest areas that could be applied in therapeutic groups and activities. required.
- Confidence in group facilitation.
- Ability to work independently and use own initiative.
Desirable
- Presentation skills
- Interest areas that could be applied in therapeutic groups and activities
Physical/Other
Essential
- Some travel with service users may be required at times.
- To be motivated towards personal and team development.
- Routine and regular use of desk and computer
- Bending, lifting and potential manual handling tasks may be involved.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
