Activity Co-ordinator - Adult Mental Health Inpatients

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a skilled, motivated and passionate Activity Co-ordinator to join the Therapies team within the Newtown Hospital in Worcester.

The Hadley Unit is the 9 bedded mixed gendered Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, we care for patients with an associated risk that cannot be safely managed within an acute inpatient ward.

The Activity Co-ordinator works as part of a dedicated in-patient multi-disciplinary team, under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist to provide a range of therapeutic and ward-based leisure activities for working age adults who are experiencing a mental health crisis and have been admitted to our unit.

The successful candidate will have a can-do attitude, energy and enthusiasm and will have an understanding of how to work alongside an individual to engage them with activities which will promote health and wellbeing.

There will be the opportunity to work closely with the MDT to provide a range of activities but there is also an expectation for the post holder to work autonomously during the evenings and at weekends.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of working with people with mental health conditions, have excellent communication skills and an ability to build rapport with vulnerable patients.

Regular supervision, reflective practice and training opportunities will be actively encouraged.

Please contact:

Helen Allen - Occupational Therapist/Deputy Ward Manager - helen.allen16@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

Develop and facilitate an activity programme, working closely with the multi-disciplinary team to provide meaningful engagement on either an individual or groupwork basis.

Ensure activities are risk assessed, safe and effective.

Build a therapeutic relationship with patients, relatives, and carers to encourage their interest and participation in activities suited to their particular needs and interests, promoting independence and well-being.

Manage the timetabling and delivery of group and individual activities working flexibly including evening and weekends where required in line with the therapeutic timetables.

To observe, monitor and record patient activity and health status as appropriate, communicating appropriately any change in condition to multi-disciplinary team members.

About us

At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, we are working together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Our people (all 4500+ of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites.

We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work-life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. Its why we were named Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award at the 2022 Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.

What we offer

27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
Flexible and agile working opportunities
Great maternity, paternity, and adoption support
Wide range of staff networks such as LGBT+ and ENRICH (Equality Network for Race Inclusion and Cultural Heritage)
Health service discounts and online benefits including excellent cycle to work and car salary sacrifice schemes
Health and wellbeing opportunities

If you would like to know more, please visit our careers website.

Date posted

08 January 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £24,336 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9798-5571

Job locations

Hadley Ward, Elgar Unit

Newtown Hospital, Newtown Road

Worcester

WR5 1JG

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Level 3 qualification (e.g., A-level, NVQ3) in Care or Level 2 qualification (e.g., GCSE, NVQ2) in care and will be expected to undertake the relevant level 3 qualification on appointment to post
Will be expected to meet the Care Certificate standards within 12 weeks of commencing employment with the Trust
Management of Actual and Potential Aggression (MAPA)
I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer

Desirable

Experience in delivering group work

Experience

Essential

Previous experience in a care environment (within the last 5 years)
Manual handling of patients, using lifting aids

Desirable

Ability to contribute to working with different professionals
Experience of using activity in a care environment

Knowledge

Essential

Experience of supporting people with mental illnesses
Knowledge of person-centred practice
Knowledge of therapeutic activities using technical creative skill

Desirable

Experience of working autonomously in a care setting

Skills & Abilities

Essential

IT skills including: Word and Outlook
Ability to work on own initiative and make decisions
Written communication skills
Able to demonstrate a flexible approach to work
Able to manage time effectively
Self-awareness and self-management in the context of being in a complex environment
Excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training (Safety Intervention/Breakaway) (subject to Occupational Health clearance)

Desirable

Supporting relatives and carers of people with mental illness
Able to demonstrate commitment to ongoing learning about caring for people with mental health illness

Additional Criteria

Essential

Ability to work flexibly hours to suit client group
Able to attend and participate in all mandatory and statutory training events.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Level 3 qualification (e.g., A-level, NVQ3) in Care or Level 2 qualification (e.g., GCSE, NVQ2) in care and will be expected to undertake the relevant level 3 qualification on appointment to post
Will be expected to meet the Care Certificate standards within 12 weeks of commencing employment with the Trust
Management of Actual and Potential Aggression (MAPA)
I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer

Desirable

Experience in delivering group work

Experience

Essential

Previous experience in a care environment (within the last 5 years)
Manual handling of patients, using lifting aids

Desirable

Ability to contribute to working with different professionals
Experience of using activity in a care environment

Knowledge

Essential

Experience of supporting people with mental illnesses
Knowledge of person-centred practice
Knowledge of therapeutic activities using technical creative skill

Desirable

Experience of working autonomously in a care setting

Skills & Abilities

Essential

IT skills including: Word and Outlook
Ability to work on own initiative and make decisions
Written communication skills
Able to demonstrate a flexible approach to work
Able to manage time effectively
Self-awareness and self-management in the context of being in a complex environment
Excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to undertake all statutory and mandatory training (Safety Intervention/Breakaway) (subject to Occupational Health clearance)

Desirable

Supporting relatives and carers of people with mental illness
Able to demonstrate commitment to ongoing learning about caring for people with mental health illness

Additional Criteria

Essential

Ability to work flexibly hours to suit client group
Able to attend and participate in all mandatory and statutory training events.

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.