Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapy Recreational Worker

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for a person who is passionate about providing excellent care to the adult acute mental health population, and who want to contribute to the therapeutic input provided for people using our services at our site in Stevenage.

The Recreational Worker organises and provides a predominantly ward-based recreational/leisure service, based on the adult acute mental health wards.

The activities they facilitate occur alongside therapeutic interventions from the Occupational Therapy service, Psychology, Arts therapies and the ward Nursing Team to enhance a service user's stay in hospital.

The recreational service is provided during afternoons, evenings and weekends. The post-holder will work four weekdays 12pm - 8pm, and one weekend day 9 - 5 each week.

Main duties of the job

You will organise and provide a predominantly ward-basedrecreational/leisure service such as gardening groups, craft sessions, music activities, sports/active sessions, facilitating gym sessions, games, etc.
You will be based on the adult acute mental health wards where service users require support for a range of diagnoses such as psychosis, depression, or anxiety.
The recreational service is provided during afternoons, evenings and weekends and so the role requires working in the early evenings until 8pm and on the weekends 9 -5.
The team consists of a Lead and Head Occupational Therapist, Band 6 and 5 Occupational Therapists, Assistant Therapy Practitioners, and a Horticultural Therapist. We work closely with Art and Drama Therapists, and Psychologists.
The Recreational Worker role offers the opportunity to provide the main link between the wards and the therapy team.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.

The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Our Trust values are:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Date posted

12 June 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £24,336 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

367-UNPL-8332-A

Job locations

Aston Ward, Lister Hospital

Corey's Mill Lane

Stevenage

SG1 4AB

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will work effectively as a member of a team in providing social, recreational and leisure activities using a person centered approach.
You will provide timely feedback to the MDT information regarding the service users wellbeing and motivation to engage in recreational sessions.
You will use technical / creative skills to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities to promote independence, recovery and well-being.
Under supervision of an Occupational Therapist, to facilitate and participate in planned group-work and individual activities.
Under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist, to contribute to the ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.

For a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will work effectively as a member of a team in providing social, recreational and leisure activities using a person centered approach.
You will provide timely feedback to the MDT information regarding the service users wellbeing and motivation to engage in recreational sessions.
You will use technical / creative skills to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities to promote independence, recovery and well-being.
Under supervision of an Occupational Therapist, to facilitate and participate in planned group-work and individual activities.
Under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist, to contribute to the ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.

For a more detailed description, please see attached JD and PS.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING

Essential

Facilitation and use of activity in group settings
Maths and English GCSE grade C or above or equivalent
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages
Willingness to undertake relevant training to the post.

Desirable

Health and Social Care NVQ level 3

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential

Some experience working in paid or voluntary employment or community work relevant to post.
Experience of working with individuals and groups

Desirable

Experience of working with people/caring for people with mental health problems, learning disabilities or special needs

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential

Ability to provide and receive sensitive information regarding services users care and social situation.
Good communication skills written and verbal.
Ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagement.
Ability to work effectively in a team

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Essential

Basic problem solving and clinical judgement skills.
Ability to respond appropriately to the changing needs of service users.
Good Observational skills

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING

Essential

Facilitation and use of activity in group settings
Maths and English GCSE grade C or above or equivalent
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages
Willingness to undertake relevant training to the post.

Desirable

Health and Social Care NVQ level 3

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential

Some experience working in paid or voluntary employment or community work relevant to post.
Experience of working with individuals and groups

Desirable

Experience of working with people/caring for people with mental health problems, learning disabilities or special needs

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential

Ability to provide and receive sensitive information regarding services users care and social situation.
Good communication skills written and verbal.
Ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagement.
Ability to work effectively in a team

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Essential

Basic problem solving and clinical judgement skills.
Ability to respond appropriately to the changing needs of service users.
Good Observational skills

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Aston Ward, Lister Hospital

Corey's Mill Lane

Stevenage

SG1 4AB

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Aston Ward, Lister Hospital

Corey's Mill Lane

Stevenage

SG1 4AB

Employer's website

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