Job summary
Rydon Ward in Taunton is looking for a Health Care Support Worker to work in the role of Activity Organiser on our Inpatient ward for Adults with Acute Mental Health illness.
This new exciting opportunity is to support the work of qualified nurses and other professionals within our multi-disciplinary team. This is a fixed term post for 9 months.
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible for the development, provision and implementation of activity-based sessions for patients using both verbal and non-verbal skills. You will encourage patients to take part in various activities which will aid their mental health recovery. You will be able to develop existing links with Community groups in order to come up with new interesting activities.
The successful candidate will have NVQ 2 in Direct Care and previous HCA experience within a healthcare setting for patients with mental health needs. You will be a reliable team player, have excellent communication skills, creative ability, a kind, compassionate manner and be willing to work flexibly. You will be required to work over 7 days which may include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Rydon Ward in Taunton consists of two fifteen bedded wards which provide an environment that is modern, bright, clean and safe for individuals admitted to our service.
We are based alongside a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit and an ECT Suite. We also feel privileged to hold a contract for serving members of the Military, enabling the ward to work closely with the medical bases within the UK and further afield.
About us
As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.
The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.
There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide instruction (verbal and non-verbal) to patients on a range of activities as part of the activities program
- To develop a rapport with patients, to encourage and motivate them to participate in activity (in either group work or individual work)
- To contribute to the development and implementation of a creative and innovative activities program responsive to the varying needs of the patient group
- To maintain and update activity plan on the ward and allocate time to organise activity over a 7 day period and for periods of absence
- To observe general behaviour, abilities and responses of patients and report them verbally to the multi-disciplinary team and within the electronic patient record
- To co-assist qualified staff members in therapeutic group work with patients.
- To maintain safe, effective and timely clinical records
- To keep the Occupational Therapist/Senior Staff Nurse/Unit Manager informed of all ongoing matters relating to activity-based work.
- To be involved in evaluation of group activities as required
- To manage own time effectively
- Attend relevant department and ward meetings as directed
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide instruction (verbal and non-verbal) to patients on a range of activities as part of the activities program
- To develop a rapport with patients, to encourage and motivate them to participate in activity (in either group work or individual work)
- To contribute to the development and implementation of a creative and innovative activities program responsive to the varying needs of the patient group
- To maintain and update activity plan on the ward and allocate time to organise activity over a 7 day period and for periods of absence
- To observe general behaviour, abilities and responses of patients and report them verbally to the multi-disciplinary team and within the electronic patient record
- To co-assist qualified staff members in therapeutic group work with patients.
- To maintain safe, effective and timely clinical records
- To keep the Occupational Therapist/Senior Staff Nurse/Unit Manager informed of all ongoing matters relating to activity-based work.
- To be involved in evaluation of group activities as required
- To manage own time effectively
- Attend relevant department and ward meetings as directed
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential
- Good standard of general education
- Adequate literacy skills
Desirable
- NVQ level 3 of creative activity therapist (CAT)
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Work experience in health care as a HCA or rehab assistant, and having working with clients in the health care setting, particularly with mental health needs and dementia.
Desirable
- Experience of facilitating groups or experience as an activity coordinator
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
- Ability to manage challenging situations
- Good practical skills in domestic and creative activities
OTHER
Essential
- Commitment to ward and team working
- Ability to work independently and use initiative
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential
- Good standard of general education
- Adequate literacy skills
Desirable
- NVQ level 3 of creative activity therapist (CAT)
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Work experience in health care as a HCA or rehab assistant, and having working with clients in the health care setting, particularly with mental health needs and dementia.
Desirable
- Experience of facilitating groups or experience as an activity coordinator
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
- Ability to manage challenging situations
- Good practical skills in domestic and creative activities
OTHER
Essential
- Commitment to ward and team working
- Ability to work independently and use initiative
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).
