Job summary
We have an opportunity for an Activity Worker on Chesterton Unit at Hollins Park. Chesterton Unit is a female 16-bed Low Secure Unit.
The ward environment has been specially designed to meet the needs of people with mental illness, with activity rooms and a variety of communal seating areas as well as quiet spaces. Our team includes doctors, nurses, health care assistants and psychology staff who are all experienced in supporting people with those living with mental illness.
The post involves delivering a full programme of therapeutic activities on the unit in order to ensure that there is meaningful occupation available for our clients tailored to their needs and preferences.
Main duties of the job
Under the supervision of a qualified practitioner and Occupational Therapist the post holder will plan and coordinate and implement a range of individual and group activities designed to meet the needs of the service's patients. The post holder will demonstrate an attitude which respects and values patients and their carers.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 11 million people.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Under the direction of the qualified practitioner, participate in the delivery of planned activities within both inpatient and community environments.
The post holder will undertake a range of duties which include:-
- Facilitate and support self-help, communication and social skills acquisition
- Assist and promote independence with activities of daily living
- Facilitate a service user's recovery by assisting them to participate in social, vocational, recreational and leisure activities within the appropriate setting
- Participate in the implementation of specific programmes of care or therapy to develop and enhance socially appropriate adaptive behaviours under the supervision of qualified staff
- Participate in regular supervision, engage in reflective practice and be committed to continued development
- Provide information to enable the effectiveness of care to be evaluated.
- Ensure appropriate records are maintained under the direction of the qualified practitioner.
- Contribute to the involvement of service user, and carers/relatives in the delivery of care
- Provide reassurance and support to service user and carers/family
- Work collaboratively within the MDT to ensure that service user needs are met
- Contribute to the development of services
- Contribute to the effective and efficient use of resources
- Understand and adhere to Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines
- Report any concern regarding service user care to the Qualified Practitioner
- Contribute to service improvement initiatives to enhance quality of service user care
- Participate in service user and public involvement activities
- Support individuals equality, diversity and rights
- Maintain confidentiality and a high professional standard in client care at all times
- Plan, implement and facilitate a range of therapeutic activities which are recovery focussed to meet the needs of the Service Users
- Actively involve Service Users and Carers in the development and implementation of groups
- Provide a wide range of activities which would include diversional, rehab and educational elements
- Attend and contribute to team meetings and MDT where necessary to provide updates on Service User involvement in activities
Job description
Job responsibilities
Under the direction of the qualified practitioner, participate in the delivery of planned activities within both inpatient and community environments.
The post holder will undertake a range of duties which include:-
- Facilitate and support self-help, communication and social skills acquisition
- Assist and promote independence with activities of daily living
- Facilitate a service user's recovery by assisting them to participate in social, vocational, recreational and leisure activities within the appropriate setting
- Participate in the implementation of specific programmes of care or therapy to develop and enhance socially appropriate adaptive behaviours under the supervision of qualified staff
- Participate in regular supervision, engage in reflective practice and be committed to continued development
- Provide information to enable the effectiveness of care to be evaluated.
- Ensure appropriate records are maintained under the direction of the qualified practitioner.
- Contribute to the involvement of service user, and carers/relatives in the delivery of care
- Provide reassurance and support to service user and carers/family
- Work collaboratively within the MDT to ensure that service user needs are met
- Contribute to the development of services
- Contribute to the effective and efficient use of resources
- Understand and adhere to Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines
- Report any concern regarding service user care to the Qualified Practitioner
- Contribute to service improvement initiatives to enhance quality of service user care
- Participate in service user and public involvement activities
- Support individuals equality, diversity and rights
- Maintain confidentiality and a high professional standard in client care at all times
- Plan, implement and facilitate a range of therapeutic activities which are recovery focussed to meet the needs of the Service Users
- Actively involve Service Users and Carers in the development and implementation of groups
- Provide a wide range of activities which would include diversional, rehab and educational elements
- Attend and contribute to team meetings and MDT where necessary to provide updates on Service User involvement in activities
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 3 or equivalent level of experience within a care setting*
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Ability to function effectively as a team member.
- Experience of working with service users with mental health problems
SKILLS
Essential
- Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with service user of varying levels of understanding
- Able to present factual information and refer questions to others where appropriate
- Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
- Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the health care setting
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Knowledge of Recovery model
- An understanding of the organisation of nursing care
- Basic understanding of NHS issues
Values
Essential
- Continuous improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change oriented
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 3 or equivalent level of experience within a care setting*
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Ability to function effectively as a team member.
- Experience of working with service users with mental health problems
SKILLS
Essential
- Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with service user of varying levels of understanding
- Able to present factual information and refer questions to others where appropriate
- Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
- Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the health care setting
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Knowledge of Recovery model
- An understanding of the organisation of nursing care
- Basic understanding of NHS issues
Values
Essential
- Continuous improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change oriented
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.
