South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Health Care Support Worker

This job is now closed

Job summary

Hello! My name is Beth and Im the team manager for the Core Team West in Wakefield. We have a rare opportunity for a healthcare support worker join our service and work alongside our multidisciplinary team. We welcome applications and experience from a range of backgrounds and particularly welcome applications from those who have worked in mental health settings.

We are looking for a motivated and friendly individual who puts service users first and in the centre of their care. We are looking for someone who will be open, honest, and transparent and someone who is ready for today, relevant for tomorrow and is willing to take on training opportunities to help develop and improve our service further. If this is you then you will be a perfect fit!

We work with services users aged 18-65 who have moderate to severe mental health issues. Our base is a community team hub which helps to provide flexibility, openness and ease for support and advice. The base is within a central location with amenities, transport links and parking easily accessible. Here's what some of the team says about the team:

Its good working with different disciplines and having learning opportunities from other professions.

As a service, we can implement change.

The team are friendly and welcoming. I also feel valued.

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

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will support a caseload of service users under the supervision of a qualified member of staff, who have a range of diagnoses and needs. They will be responsible for completing identified interventions with the service user in line with the individuals care plan.

The successful candidate will be confident in supporting individuals with complex needs, relating to both mental and physical health.

The successful candidate will be an efficient organiser, managing their workload and be flexible to meet the needs of service.

The successful candidate will participate in team meetings and be able to provide updates on the service users they are working with. The successful candidate would also highlight any concerns to senior members of the team in a timely manner.

The successful candidate will be confident in working as an autonomous practitioner within the team.

The successful candidate will have their own transport, to support in meeting the needs of the service users and overall service.

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

25 March 2024

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-W1088A

Job locations

Drury Lane Health and Wellbeing Centre

Drury Lane

Wakefield

WF1 2TE

Job description

Job responsibilities

To deliver excellent levels of customer services to people. Assess, problem solve or report, in a timely and proactive manner, when these standards have not been met.

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.

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 clinical measurements and physical observations, which may include: monitoring of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, weight etc, and handle specimens of bodily fluids. 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). 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

1.4 Management Supervision and Support:

The post holder has no managerial supervision responsibility but is expected to be a good role model to other HCSWs and use their experience to assist/ guide new HCSWs induction.

Assist/ guide students and other support workers in the delivery of care.

1.5 Financial Responsibility:

Use Trust resources efficiently and suggest efficiency savings to more senior staff.

Maintain the safekeeping of Trust, service user, visitors etc, property. Any concerns regarding misuse should be raised immediately with more senior staff.

For full job description please see attached in supporting documents.