Job summary
An exciting opportunity has now arisen and we are in the position to recruit a Family & Carer Ambassador to work within our older peoples ward at Thurrock Community Hospital.
As a Family and Carer Ambassador, you will provide practical and emotional support to families and carers of those with complex mental health needs. You will also offer advocacy to ensure that the families/carers and patients' needs and views are heard and acted on, whatever their communication needs are.
This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a team where patient care is always at the forefront. As part of the team you will be supported and encouraged to develop your skills whilst working for an organization that values their staff
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all of our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately your application form be rejected from the process.
Main duties of the job
To be successful in this role, you must be proactive and compassionate, have a great eye for detail, excellent organisational skills and strong communication skills. You must be passionate and sensitive about effecting change, and empowering patients, families and carers.
You will identify and address cross organisational challenges. You will work closely with key agencies across the health, education, social care and voluntary sector; this will also include links with adult services where either there are requirements for transition planning to adult services or where the families / carers are receiving adult service support.
About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
- Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
- Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
- If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
- We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
- Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
- Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
- £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
- Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
Work that wraps around your needs
- Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
- Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Work with carers and families from admission to the unit to discharge.
2. Help carers / families understand the inpatient system and processes and be a source for high quality information that is easy to understand.
3. To work proactively with the allocated inpatient units. Supporting communication processes between the clinical unit and carers/families; enabling units to create a compassionate and responsive approach to families and carers.
4. Empower families / carers to access information and to be part of planning (with CYP consent).
5. Have knowledge and networks of the local area to support carers and families with information and signposting.
6. To be a point of liaison with the Unit on family and carer matters, specifically quality improvement initiatives to enable more robust and inclusive engagement / involvement.
7. Help families / carers raise concerns where necessary and take action to escalate those concerns if necessary.
8. Champion the role of families / carers as partners within units, supporting the families and carers to ensure their voice is heard and they are seen as equals in patients inpatient care pathway.
9. Maintain accurate records and comply with local procedures for record keeping, confidentiality and security.
10. To act as a champion for families, carers, patients and their interests and involve the public and patients in the policy development and decision-making.
11. To ensure all public and patient contact with the office is of the highest professional standard.
Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Work with carers and families from admission to the unit to discharge.
2. Help carers / families understand the inpatient system and processes and be a source for high quality information that is easy to understand.
3. To work proactively with the allocated inpatient units. Supporting communication processes between the clinical unit and carers/families; enabling units to create a compassionate and responsive approach to families and carers.
4. Empower families / carers to access information and to be part of planning (with CYP consent).
5. Have knowledge and networks of the local area to support carers and families with information and signposting.
6. To be a point of liaison with the Unit on family and carer matters, specifically quality improvement initiatives to enable more robust and inclusive engagement / involvement.
7. Help families / carers raise concerns where necessary and take action to escalate those concerns if necessary.
8. Champion the role of families / carers as partners within units, supporting the families and carers to ensure their voice is heard and they are seen as equals in patients inpatient care pathway.
9. Maintain accurate records and comply with local procedures for record keeping, confidentiality and security.
10. To act as a champion for families, carers, patients and their interests and involve the public and patients in the policy development and decision-making.
11. To ensure all public and patient contact with the office is of the highest professional standard.
Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Good general education with Maths and English to GCSE standard or equivalent.
- NVQ III or equivalent level of experience.
Desirable
- Specialist Peer Support Training.
Knowledge
Essential
- Lived experience as a carer of a person with mental health condition or illness
- Knowledge of mental health issues and services
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience of creating records and filing systems and database management.
Desirable
- Experience of working with peer support, and / or lived experience.
Skills/Experience
Essential
- Good oral communication skills based on fluency on the English language
- Experience of working within a team environment.
- Experience of dealing with confidential and sensitive information.
- Relevant previous experience of working in an administrative/secretarial environment.
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise workload and adapt to the needs of the service when required.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in health care environment.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Able to effectively manage their own emotions in response to the emotional distress of others.
- Front line operational support having daily contact with service users and carers either via telephone or incidental contact.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Current driving licence
- Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Good general education with Maths and English to GCSE standard or equivalent.
- NVQ III or equivalent level of experience.
Desirable
- Specialist Peer Support Training.
Knowledge
Essential
- Lived experience as a carer of a person with mental health condition or illness
- Knowledge of mental health issues and services
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience of creating records and filing systems and database management.
Desirable
- Experience of working with peer support, and / or lived experience.
Skills/Experience
Essential
- Good oral communication skills based on fluency on the English language
- Experience of working within a team environment.
- Experience of dealing with confidential and sensitive information.
- Relevant previous experience of working in an administrative/secretarial environment.
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise workload and adapt to the needs of the service when required.
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in health care environment.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Able to effectively manage their own emotions in response to the emotional distress of others.
- Front line operational support having daily contact with service users and carers either via telephone or incidental contact.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Current driving licence
- Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.
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.
