Engagement Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

- to ensure all care delivered is delivered in a safe manner with compassion, professionalism and always in the best interests of the person.

-attend handover to ensure all relevant information is obtained and to liaise with the nursing teams regarding those who require prevention of delirium interventions/support.

-to build therapeutic relationships with patients and relatives through using verbal non verbal communication skills, having regular conversations , providing reassurance being kind and empathetic, providing companionship whilst listening to the person taking note of their interests, likes/dislikes and ensuring records are kept up to date regarding such.

-to work as part of the ward team whilst delivering group interactions/activities to monitor and where appropriate prevent increased risk of delirium. such interventions are aimed at increasing patients orientation to time, place and cognitive stimulation (reading, reminiscing, social interaction, coffee mornings, meal times etc)

-to encourage and support relatives/loved ones and friends to participate in the recovery of patients by encouraging them to focus conversations around familiar events and routines , bring familiar items to support patients reorientation to the environment, routines and improvement in memory.

-to ensure patients with sensory impairments )including poor vision and hearing) have appropriate clean spectacles, hearing aids, checking they're in good working order and batteries replaced as required.

-to support people with nutrition, hydration and dietary requirements, refreshing their jugs of water, identifying particular likes and dislikes if they're able to tell you or supporting staff if the patient is non verbal in identifying specific nutritional likes and dislikes. to support in the record keeping of fluid intake and nutritional intake whilst escalating to nursing staff any concerns.

- to offer support to patients over meal times by helping/aiding with cutting up meals, arranging cutlery, removing packaging from food- nutritional support is not exclusive of this listed, other support as requested by the individual or by nursing staff.

- to support patients to walk independently or aided by supervision, supporting them to mobilise to day room, social area, bathroom or a walk up and down the corridor or around the ward.

-to ensure appropriate consent is obtained before supporting or delivering any intervention

-to ensure the patient's electronic record is updated with any interventions or observations noted such as memory care plans, meal interactions, food diaries, social interactions and information obtained from the family/ loved ones

- to escalate any concerns to the nurse regarding patients well being eg/ pain, discomfort, breathing difficulties, new confusion, disorientation or behavioural challenges.

- to work with the nursing teams and under the direction of the nurse in charge whilst working under own initiative.

Person Specification

Qualification/Training

Essential

• English and Math GCSE grade 9-2 (A*-E) or equivalent or high level of literacy and numeracy skills demonstrated within application
• Competence based level 2 Qualification e.g. NVQ or Diploma in Care or The Care Certificate issued by an employer
• Willingness to undertake any training or development relevant to the role

Knowledge, experience & expertise

Essential

• Previous employment within a healthcare environment, working with older people
• Experience of developing activities for working with groups
• Demonstrate a commitment to a caring profession
• Understand the importance of record keeping
• Literacy skills

Desirable

• Experience of working with patients with Dementia
• Knowledge of the conditions of Delirium and Dementia
• Awareness of Delirium prevention & management strategies
• Moving and handling and Infection control
• Food hygiene
• Resuscitation
• Customer care
• Experience of record keeping
• Infection Control
• Insight into the roles and responsibilities of the post

Communication and relationships

Essential

• Ability to work as a team member
• Ability to work in a busy environment
• Good verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills
• Able to use own initiative as necessary
• Aware of own limitations/ level of competence

Desirable

• Plan delegated workload

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

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Huddersfield

HRI, Acre street, Lindley

Huddersfield

HD3 3EA

Employer's website

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