South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Therapy Assistant/Support Worker

This job is now closed

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time band 3 Therapy Assistant/Support Worker to join our ACOMHS accredited Older Peoples Community Mental Health Team.

We are a specialist secondary care service that provides community mental health care to service users with complex mental health needs. The role is varied and rewarding; you will be enthusiastic and compassionate with a flexible and dynamic approach.

Working with a varied range of mental health conditions alongside co-existing physical health needs, you will deliver a range of recovery based therapeutic interventions including helping people to increase their participation in highly valued activity, psychosocial interventions which incorporates graded exposure, behavioural activation and anxiety management.

Working in a well-established multi-disciplinary team, you will assist qualified practitioners in delivering plans of care that focus on supporting service users to achieve their potential; making a real difference in the lives of our service users and their families.

Treating everyone holistically, you will assist in the physical wellbeing assessments of our service users including liaising with families and carers, the wider MDT, and other services and agencies. You will have excellent support from the team and be encouraged to further develop your skills.

This is an exciting post for the right candidate.

Main duties of the job

Based at Summer Lane clinic, Wombwell in Barnsley, you will work closely with members of the MDT to facilitate the care plans developed by the qualified practitioners within the team. Working across the Barnsley locality, have a full UK driving licence with access to a car.

You will support service users with varied mental health conditions including complex emotional needs that will also have co-existing physical health conditions. Empowering service users in a recovery focused approach, you will support them to reach their potential, living fulfilled lives. Your work will incorporate high quality, evidence-based care that is tailored to individual needs. You will deliver a range of therapeutic interventions including psychosocial interventions and developing meaningful activities. You will be able to identify risk and work with service users in positive risk taking.

You will have or be willing to develop basic physical health monitoring skills such as venepuncture, blood pressure monitoring and ECG application.

You will follow all local and national policies, procedures, and frameworks. Confidentiality will be maintained. You will have appropriate IT skills and be familiar with electronic patient record system

Mandatory training will be completed, and you will have the opportunity for further development. Regular supervision and yearly appraisals will be provided

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Date posted

01 December 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £24,336 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9378-B1795

Job locations

Older Peoples Mental Health Team, Wombwell Clinic

Summer Lane

Barnsley

S73 8QH

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will:

under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals/associate practitioner, within a delegated framework for agreed tasks, seek support as and when necessary, in the delivery of therapeutic interventions, psychological and physical care to a defined group of people.

as part of a healthcare team, provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.

develop and maintain meaningful therapeutic relationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive and empathetic approach, communicating effectively and informatively.

demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes required for a designated group of service users.

To instruct, advise & guide service users, family and carers in therapeutic interventions and make the appropriate adjustments independently (within own competence and skill set) and be able to communicate any changes to service users and registered health care professionals.

be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan This may include areas of work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, health & safety.

exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks. Assess situations, identify and resolve potential problems, within own competence and skill set.

ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.

contribute to the care planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning eg, enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/ independence/recovery.

implement care within well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans. Organise a range of activities eg, facilitate meaningful activities for individuals or small groups.

apply knowledge of longer term health conditions eg, Diabetes, Obesity, smoking cessation etc, providing advice and support.

Undertake the physical aspects of care eg, moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care eg, hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.

assist in dealing with verbal/physical aggression using de-escalation techniques, this may include the need for restraint and/or seclusion (as appropriate to the role and in line with Trust policy and training)

attend to the service users personal care needs as and when required.

participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing 24-hour/7 day care (as appropriate to the role/service)

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1.1 Care provision:

To deliver excellent levels of customer services to people.

Work with a degree of independence within defined parameters, as directed by a registered health care professional (or associate practitioner if part of the team).

Prioritise own tasks, exercising initiative and judgement in response to peoples needs. Refer and seek guidance/supervision on issues outside of post holders level of competency or authority to more senior health care professionals.

Contribute to the initial assessment/admission/discharge process and formulation/implementation of individualised packages of care to help maximise service user recovery/rehabilitation potential.

Act as a link or associate link for a specific area of practice (as appropriate).

Clearly, accurately and contemporaneously, contribute to care documents, report observations and other service user information, in written and electronic format. Demonstrate competent IT skills, accurate data inputting and use of the internet.

Accurately record therapeutic observations relevant to the desinated profession Identify potential risks and respond appropriately.

Contribute to ensuring service user needs are met eg, emotional, personal, basic wound care, dietary, environmental etc, ensuring their privacy, dignity, rights and choices are maintained at all times. Support individuals to self-manage their own health and social wellbeing and promote individuals positive self-esteem and sense of identity.

Participate in the management and support of individuals who exhibit challenging behaviour or present a significant imminent risk to themselves or others. Recognise and respond to changes in their presentation, including reporting the issue to a registered health care practitioner/associate practitioner as required. Respond appropriately to any emergency situation.

Participate in supportive observation/interventions minimising the negative effects of disruptive/abusive behaviour, or in the prevention and management of violence and aggression (PMVA) (as appropriate). Utilise de-escalation and physical control techniques as necessary. Taking reasonable steps to protect themselves from the risk of violence.

If appropriate to the role, when directed and risk assessed by a health care practitioner, accompany/escort service users within/outside Trust grounds. Apply care principles to enable service user to meet maximum level of independence.

Ensure action to reduce risks to health and safety and all possible steps are taken in identifying, managing and reporting risks, to help safeguard the welfare, safety and security of people, eg, children, service users, visitors and staff. Contribute to the reduction of hazards in the environment, considering safety, security, theft or damage.

Use effective verbal/written communication at all times, incorporating tact, empathy, consideration, courtesy and confidentiality. Adapt style of communication to respond to service user communication difficulties and psychological, social, physical and spiritual needs.

Work with sensitivity and an understanding of the issues experienced by service users.

Ensure moving and handling of people/loads is carried out in a safe and effective manner, in accordance with policy and training, as directed by a registered health care professional/associate practitioner.

Work in a flexible and collaborative manner with others. Adapting to the needs of the service, despite many demands on attention.

Understand the roles and contributions of other care providers in and outside of the team, enabling those who are significant to the service user to play an active role in their care.

Support the Trusts culture of commitment to delivering quality services and outcomes.

Maintain and continuously improve knowledge & understanding of health & social care services; including systems, policy, and current issues, particularly with regard to own area of work and service users.

Make use of opportunities for sharing good practice and learning.

Proactively identify additional activities in accordance with the role, which would increase post holder efficiency and the efficiency of the team; offer suggestions for improvement and implement these activities in agreement with the team.

Undertake any additional duties deemed appropriate to the role.

1.2 Working as part of a Team:

Work within other clinical areas as the clinical situation and staffing levels require.

As part of a team, deliver person centred care whilst meeting the service standards and objectives.

Provide and receive service user information using tact, reassurance, empathy and persuasive skills as required.

Participate in ward or departmental/team meetings and offer suggestions for quality improvement.

Contribute to, and make suggestions about projects, including audit and quality initiatives pertinent to the role.

Contribute to the achievement/improvement of service/quality standards.

Be competent in using and ensure the proper use of equipment eg, hoists, wheelchairs, Trust materials, equipment, property and resources.

Actively engage in good team working to facilitate effective relationships with all health care professionals.

1.3 Managing Self:

Participate in clinical supervision to develop skills and knowledge of clinical care and practice and apply continuous reflection on own practice.

Undertake timely and appropriate mandatory training, study days, in-service training programmes and keep up to date with changes in operational procedures and developments in clinical practice.

Seek advice and support from your line manager, registered health care professional (or associate practitioner) whenever necessary.

Develop knowledge and basic understanding of and comply with all service/Trust policies and procedures and relevant legislation eg, Mental Health Act 2007, Childrens Act etc.

Responsible for ensuring safe infection prevention and control by usingl protective equipment, safe disposal of healthcare waste, performing hand hygiene, cleaning, disinfecting etc.

Promote a positive image of the Service/Trust.

Actively participate in the appraisal process using it as a positive means of improving self-awareness, development and work practice.

Act within own sphere of competence at all times as determined by the job description and skills set for the role.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.