Job summary
*The successful candidate must have an Associate Practitioner qualification*
The Eating Disorders service is expanding its physical health remit and needs an appropriately qualified, enthusiastic and motivated individual to work within the team predominantly inMid Essex, including the main towns of Chelmsford, Braintree and Maldon and the surrounding area. The post holder will undertake Physical Health Checks to include ECGs, phlebotomy, blood glucose monitoring, weight, height and other tests to monitor the health of patients under the service.
The Eating Disorders service operates across the county, with 2 office bases, one in Colchester and one in Basildon. Patients are seen in a variety of locations dependent on their level of need. The service works closely with other mental health teams, acute hospitals and GPs, as well as 3rdand voluntary sector organisations.
Main duties of the job
You will develop strong links with patients, carers, colleagues and all organisations promptly from the point of initial contact. You will support and encourage the patient to improve and maintain good physical health and work alongside the patients, their carers and clinical colleagues in the development of a co-produced care and support plan that allows them to further support their future management and wellbeing.
The physical health support worker will be supervised by a specialist Eating Disorders clinician and will be closely supported as necessary in the management of risks and the delivery of care by the team. The support worker will have clear pathways of escalation and will work within the bounds of existing EPUT policies and procedures as required.
In order to apply for the post you will need to be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills with service users, carers and organisations. You will be highly motivated and display a good ability to work autonomously where possible. You may also have existing experience in physical health monitoring and/or eating disorders services.
About us
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
- Season Ticket Loans
- NHS discounts for staff
- Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
- Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
- The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
- Day One Flexible Employer
The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.
If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To undertake baseline and regular physical health assessments to patients at the start of the care and monitor at defined intervals in line with the severity of their illness. This will include ECG, phlebotomy, side effect monitoring and physical health and wellbeing assessments.
- To maintain stock levels and ensure physical health equipment is stored and checked in accordance with policies and procedures.
- To readily identify when physical health assessments are outside of normal ranges by alerting senior practitioners and medical staff.
- To support patients in making behavioural change to support an improvement in their physical health, including supporting with the development and implementation of nutritional change and plans to reduce the use of purging behaviours, under the supervision of the MDT.
- To provide an assessment/intervention to ensure individuals are appropriately supported and facilitate links with specialist services as required.
- To support in partnership with clinical staff and service users in the planning and implementation of care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To undertake baseline and regular physical health assessments to patients at the start of the care and monitor at defined intervals in line with the severity of their illness. This will include ECG, phlebotomy, side effect monitoring and physical health and wellbeing assessments.
- To maintain stock levels and ensure physical health equipment is stored and checked in accordance with policies and procedures.
- To readily identify when physical health assessments are outside of normal ranges by alerting senior practitioners and medical staff.
- To support patients in making behavioural change to support an improvement in their physical health, including supporting with the development and implementation of nutritional change and plans to reduce the use of purging behaviours, under the supervision of the MDT.
- To provide an assessment/intervention to ensure individuals are appropriately supported and facilitate links with specialist services as required.
- To support in partnership with clinical staff and service users in the planning and implementation of care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Associate Practitioner qualification
- Phlebotomy Skills
- Aware of deviations within physical checks that cause concern 2
Desirable
- Knowledge of SSUS test
- NHS Experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working with people with mental and or physical health problems
- Experience of working within a healthcare setting and liaising with other Health professionals
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with eating disorders
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Holds a valid driving licence
- Has a car available for work purposes
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Associate Practitioner qualification
- Phlebotomy Skills
- Aware of deviations within physical checks that cause concern 2
Desirable
- Knowledge of SSUS test
- NHS Experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working with people with mental and or physical health problems
- Experience of working within a healthcare setting and liaising with other Health professionals
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with eating disorders
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Holds a valid driving licence
- Has a car available for work purposes
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).
