Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Support Worker Band 3 - based at Forest Lodge

Job purpose: Under the direction of the qualified member of staff, to provide appropriate levels of care and support as outlined in the relevant care plan. Will regularly work under guidance but without the direct supervision of a qualified staff.

Responsible to: Matron/Ward Manager

Minimum Qualifications: Maths and English GCSE or equivalent or awillingness to achieve. Achieved or have a desire to work towards NVQ level 2/ Care Certificate

Key result areas: To implement identified plans of care for assigned patients under the direction/supervision of a qualified staff to meet the needs of the individuals identified care needs.

To report actions and/or observations on patient care of behaviour to a qualified nurse so that a thorough evaluation of care can take place.

To report untoward occurrences immediately to a qualified nurse so that a reassessment of care needs can be undertaken.

To undertake general duties assigned by a qualified nurse so that high standards of service delivery can be maintained.

In conjunction with the patients to plan appropriate menus, and assist with purchasing and catering to the extent that this is required by the ability of the individual patient.

To be able to demonstrate the approach needed to involve individual patients in activities and explain the reasons for this.

To develop a group activity relevant to the area with patients and monitor and evaluate its effectiveness. This will be under the guidance of qualified staff but not directly supervised. The post holder will produce written aims and objectives of their chosen group activity prior to the commencement of the group and provide regular updates and evaluation reports to the ward manager and/or supervisor.

The post holder will be responsible for documenting details of the patients participation in the care plan.

To involve patients in a wide range of appropriate activities using local facilities where available.

To involve the patients as much as possible in day to day decision making, bearing in mind the principles of advocacy and self-advocacy.

To enable the patient to maintain contact with friends and relatives by encouraging visits and assisting with letter writing. Experience has shown that staff who have low expressed emotion engage more effectively with clients.

To accompany the patient on outings and other arranged visits.

All employees are expected to observe the Trusts policies relating to risk

Management, in particular staff should: -

• Be aware of the principles of risk management
• Adopt appropriate practice to reduce risk to themselves and others

There is a requirement that the postholder will undergo regular supervision and annual appraisal.

All employees are expected to observe the trusts Equal Opportunities Policy in their behaviour to the public and fellow employees.

In fulfilling these tasks the potholder will be expected to be familiar with the local policies and procedures especially in respect of Health and Safety, Confidentiality and Fire.

This job profile is presented in general terms and is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The post holder will be expected to regularly review this with their line manager.

Other Duties

The main focus of the role is to respond to and satisfy the above requirements and needs. If in addition to this it is considered appropriate, other duties may be undertaken by the post-holder consistent with the Band of the post

You should be comfortable in the use of computer technology, have basic keyboard skills and have the ability to use email. Daily use of a car is essential.

Person Specification

essential

Essential

• 2 Years experience working as a HCA

Training and Qualififications

Essential

• Good standard of written and verbal communication

Desirable

• Achieved or have a desire to work towards NVQ level 3 or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with adults with enduring mental health problems, experience of managing discussion groups with patients, co-ordination of activities and social inclusion/escortes etc3

Desirable

• A basic awareness and understanding of psychosocial interventions, Mindfulness CBT DBT approaches anxiety management

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• The ability to build and sustain therapeutic relationships with patients at a level appropriate to their needs. To posses the potential to organise, facilitate and develop patients skills in group settings. To be able to consistently demonstrate Non-judgemental respectful attitudes to patients. To have the ability to produce a good standard of written work, have basic keyboard skills

Desirable

• To recognise and report changes in individuals mental health state

Other

Essential

• To be able to conduct themselves with integrity. Be punctual and have the willingness and ability to work flexibly over a 24hr period to include a variety of shift patterns

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Forest Lodge

5 Forest Close

Sheffield

S35 0JW

Employer's website

https://www.shsc.nhs.uk/working-us (Opens in a new tab)