Job summary
The post holder will work within Willow Ward, this is an inpatient unit for the assessment and treatment of patients aged 65 and over suffering with mental health problems.
The job includes listening and talking to patients/relatives/carers, observing patients behaviour, providing close observation to ensure patient safety (one to one), encouraging them with eating, drinking, personal hygiene. Involving them in diversional activities, escorting patients out of the unit, dealing with anger (explanations, negotiation and de-escalation) and assisting in the management of violent episodes.
Communicating within the immediate clinical team, with the unit's medical staff, and liaising with a wide range of professionals involved in care. Reporting and documenting observations.
Main duties of the job
- To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific client group and mental health.
- To comply with the Professional Codes of Conduct and to be aware of changes in these. To maintain up to date knowledge of all relevant legislation and local policies and procedures implementing this.
- To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest standard and in accordance with currently quality initiatives within the work area.
- To comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information and to be aware of any changes in these.
- To comply at all times with the Trust's Information Governance related policies. Staffs are required to respect the confidentiality of information about staff, patients and Trust business and in particular the confidentiality and security of personal identifiable information in line with the Data Protection Act. All staff are responsible for ensuring that any data created by them is timely, comprehensive, accurate, and fit for the purposes for which it is intended.
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.
Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities
- The post holder will communicate with a range of professional staff, patients, carers and relatives and external agencies as appropriate.
- The Health Care Assistant/Activity Support Worker is a member of the clinical team and plays a contributory role in facilitating the health and well-being of the patients which may include:
- Recognising the individuality of the patient and help to meet his or her social, emotional and intellectual needs.
- Will be involved in the delivery and coordination of ward activities
- Ensuring that basic physical needs are met, such as adequate diet, hygiene, warmth, comfort and safety.
- Assisting in planned treatments in accordance with the multi-disciplinary team approach.
- Providing and receiving routine information to assist in undertaking own job.
- Health Care and Activity duties required to be undertaken under the direction and/or supervision of a qualified nurse/Occupational Therapist in line with care plans.
- Performing procedures only after instruction.
- Developing communication skills with patients/carers and relatives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities
- The post holder will communicate with a range of professional staff, patients, carers and relatives and external agencies as appropriate.
- The Health Care Assistant/Activity Support Worker is a member of the clinical team and plays a contributory role in facilitating the health and well-being of the patients which may include:
- Recognising the individuality of the patient and help to meet his or her social, emotional and intellectual needs.
- Will be involved in the delivery and coordination of ward activities
- Ensuring that basic physical needs are met, such as adequate diet, hygiene, warmth, comfort and safety.
- Assisting in planned treatments in accordance with the multi-disciplinary team approach.
- Providing and receiving routine information to assist in undertaking own job.
- Health Care and Activity duties required to be undertaken under the direction and/or supervision of a qualified nurse/Occupational Therapist in line with care plans.
- Performing procedures only after instruction.
- Developing communication skills with patients/carers and relatives.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Must be willing to work towards NVQ level 3 in direct care or Certificate in Care if not already held.
Desirable
- Training and experience e.g. lifting, first aid, food handling, care work.
- Related healthcare interests or education
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people e.g. in a caring situation, dealing with the general public.
- Ability to think quickly and deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner
- Aware of the affect your behaviour can have on those around you.
Desirable
- Experience of mental health difficulties.
- Previous experience of working in mental health services.
- Basic understanding of Recovery Model, issues of dignity and privacy
- Basic understanding of risk
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic.
- Listens to others' views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
- Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records
Desirable
- Basic computer literacy
- Ability to be involved in the safe restraint of patients after training.
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- Awareness of safeguarding issues
- oBasic understanding of legislation relating to care including: Mental Health Act: Mental Capacity Act: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Act: Children's Act : Equality Act 2010: Health & Safety Act : Data Protection Act : Knowledge of NICE guidance
Physical Requirements
Essential
- Ability to carry our physical interventions
- Physically able to undertake a demanding role safely, as and when required
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Must be willing to work towards NVQ level 3 in direct care or Certificate in Care if not already held.
Desirable
- Training and experience e.g. lifting, first aid, food handling, care work.
- Related healthcare interests or education
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people e.g. in a caring situation, dealing with the general public.
- Ability to think quickly and deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner
- Aware of the affect your behaviour can have on those around you.
Desirable
- Experience of mental health difficulties.
- Previous experience of working in mental health services.
- Basic understanding of Recovery Model, issues of dignity and privacy
- Basic understanding of risk
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic.
- Listens to others' views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
- Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records
Desirable
- Basic computer literacy
- Ability to be involved in the safe restraint of patients after training.
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- Awareness of safeguarding issues
- oBasic understanding of legislation relating to care including: Mental Health Act: Mental Capacity Act: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Act: Children's Act : Equality Act 2010: Health & Safety Act : Data Protection Act : Knowledge of NICE guidance
Physical Requirements
Essential
- Ability to carry our physical interventions
- Physically able to undertake a demanding role safely, as and when required
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).
