Patient Shop Assistant

Job summary

The Patient Shop Assistant is a key member of the Secure Mental Health Business Unit (SMHBU). He/she will assist in the provision of effective and efficient services to clients by providing a comprehensive shop service to Service Users detained in hospital. The hospital caters for Service Users with a primary diagnosis of mental illness and for many, the Patient Shop is their only means of purchasing items that they may need.

In order to carry out the duties to a professional standard, the Patient Shop Assistant will be expected to utilise a range of technical skills which may include word processing, use of email and other IT skills, along with a cash register. He/she will also be expected to employ highly effective interpersonal and communication skills as the post holder will interact on a face-to-face basis with all Service Users. The confidential nature of all work concerning Service Users must be understood and safeguarded and the particular sensitivities to mental health issues respected.

Main duties of the job

• To develop rapport with service users to help with any social skills that they may require when discharged from hospital
• The post holder may experience confrontation from service users who may be particularly unwell. The post holder will need to have good resilience and understand that this may be due to their illness. Compassion and understanding are key within this role
• To work collaboratively with other staff in the hospital, to ensure the service user's needs are met. This will include being aware of restrictions on items that can be purchased by service users, communicating with escorts for the service users
• To have the ability to communicate with the service users in a meaningful way, be aware of difficulties that they may experience when using the shop and adapt an appropriate service style
• Take responsibility for answering telephone calls in polite and professional manner, ensuring the dignity, respect and confidentiality of the patients is maintained at all times
• To be aware of the service users attending the patient shop and should they encounter any difficulties, to raise this with the relevant ward or escort in attendance

About us

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Guild Lodge, Whittingham

Preston

PR3 2JH

Employer's website

https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Guild Lodge, Whittingham

Preston

PR3 2JH

Employer's website

https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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