Job summary
Full-Time - 37.5 Hours Per Week
We are looking to recruit skilled and highly motivated individuals into the role as Senior Health Care Support Workers. These are exciting and dynamic roles that offer the opportunity to work closely with people requiring compassion and support during their stay in hospital.
The Forensic Care Group has 11 inpatient wards across low and medium secure services based at Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield. We support people with a range of mental health problems & learning disabilities who require care and treatment in a forensic setting.
This is the perfect opportunity for those who are looking for a new challenge, wanting to progress in your current career, who enjoy variety in your work and wish to be part of a team striving to make a difference to our patients health care.
The service is passionate about delivering innovative and compassionate care to our service users. There is opportunity to develop and enhance your clinical skills through supervision, training and appraisal.
All employees of the Trust are strongly
encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients
Main duties of the job
The ideal applicants will have experience in mental health/forensic mental health - facilitating and meeting the various individual physical, mental and holistic needs of service users whilst under direction and supervision by senior colleagues and the team leader. This would include facilitating group sessions, being part of a primary nursing team and developing excellent therapeutic relationships with service users.
The post holder will be communicate & work closely with people who use our services, their families, friends, carers and will make an important contribution to how people experience their care.
As a senior HSW the post holder will be a role model to junior staff, supporting and helping to develop people within their roles.
About us
We
are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health
and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,
Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are
the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is
to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this
by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ
staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a
difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourage
and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value
diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Being
a foundation Trust means were accountable to our
members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people
(including staff) are members of our Trust.
Join
us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving
the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and
help each year.
We
are committed
to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and
vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this
commitment.
We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals/associate practitioner, within a delegated framework for agreed tasks, seek support as and when necessary, in the delivery of psychological and physical care to a defined group of people.
As part of a healthcare team, provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.
Develop and maintain meaningful therapeutic relationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive and empathetic approach, communicating effectively and informatively.
Demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes of a designated group of service users to enable you to instruct, advise & guide service users, family and carers. To make the appropriate adjustments independently within own level of competence and be able to communicate any changes to service users and registered health care professionals.
Be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan eg, following the observation policy, taking, recording of physical observations etc, and responding to issues of concern appropriately. This may include areas of work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, health & safety.
Exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks. Assess situations, identify and resolve potential problems, within own levels of competence.
Ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.
Contribute to the care planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning eg, enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/independence/recovery.
Implement care within well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans. Organise a range of activities eg, facilitate meaningful activities for individuals or small groups.
Apply knowledge of longer term health conditions eg, Diabetes, Obesity, smoking cessation etc, providing advice and support.
Undertake the physical aspects of care eg, moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care eg, hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.
Assist in dealing with verbal/physical aggression using de-escalation techniques, this may include the need for restraint and/or seclusion (as appropriate to the role).
Attend to the service users personal care needs as required.
Participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing 24-hour/7 day care (as appropriate to the role).
Key Result Areas:
- To deliver excellent levels of customer services to people. Assess, problem solve or report, in a timely and proactive manner, when these standards have not been met.
- Work with a degree of independence within defined parameters, as directed by a registered health care professional (or associate practitioner if part of the team).
- Prioritise own tasks, exercising initiative and judgement in response to peoples needs. Refer and seek guidance/supervision on issues outside of post holders level of competency or authority to more senior health care professionals.
- Contribute to the initial assessment/admission/discharge process and formulation/implementation of individualised packages of care to help maximise service user recovery/rehabilitation potential.
- Act as a link or associate link for a specific area of practice.
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents
Job description
Job responsibilities
Under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals/associate practitioner, within a delegated framework for agreed tasks, seek support as and when necessary, in the delivery of psychological and physical care to a defined group of people.
As part of a healthcare team, provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.
Develop and maintain meaningful therapeutic relationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive and empathetic approach, communicating effectively and informatively.
Demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes of a designated group of service users to enable you to instruct, advise & guide service users, family and carers. To make the appropriate adjustments independently within own level of competence and be able to communicate any changes to service users and registered health care professionals.
Be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan eg, following the observation policy, taking, recording of physical observations etc, and responding to issues of concern appropriately. This may include areas of work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, health & safety.
Exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks. Assess situations, identify and resolve potential problems, within own levels of competence.
Ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.
Contribute to the care planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning eg, enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/independence/recovery.
Implement care within well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans. Organise a range of activities eg, facilitate meaningful activities for individuals or small groups.
Apply knowledge of longer term health conditions eg, Diabetes, Obesity, smoking cessation etc, providing advice and support.
Undertake the physical aspects of care eg, moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care eg, hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.
Assist in dealing with verbal/physical aggression using de-escalation techniques, this may include the need for restraint and/or seclusion (as appropriate to the role).
Attend to the service users personal care needs as required.
Participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing 24-hour/7 day care (as appropriate to the role).
Key Result Areas:
- To deliver excellent levels of customer services to people. Assess, problem solve or report, in a timely and proactive manner, when these standards have not been met.
- Work with a degree of independence within defined parameters, as directed by a registered health care professional (or associate practitioner if part of the team).
- Prioritise own tasks, exercising initiative and judgement in response to peoples needs. Refer and seek guidance/supervision on issues outside of post holders level of competency or authority to more senior health care professionals.
- Contribute to the initial assessment/admission/discharge process and formulation/implementation of individualised packages of care to help maximise service user recovery/rehabilitation potential.
- Act as a link or associate link for a specific area of practice.
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Responsive attitude and approach
- Dress appropriately for the environment
- Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to role
Special Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- As appropriate to the role:
- Demonstrates excellent customer care skills
- Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users
- Demonstrates safe decision making skills commensurate with role
- Excellent communicator
- Good IT/keyboard skills
- Diversity/cultural understanding
- Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust
- Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations eg, verbal aggression, body fluids, etc
- Non-judgemental, empathetic manner
- Demonstrates Trust Values
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Good administration and organisational skills
- Able to use observation skills to identify potential services user, environmental etc. risks and act appropriately
- Able to fulfil the requirements of the value based induction
Desirable
- Language skills other than English
- Experience of supervising/inducting others
Physical Attributes
Essential
- A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy)
- Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary)
Training
Essential
- Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area
- Must be willing/able to undergo job development and training
- Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, eg, Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in Maths and English or equivalent
- Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent eg, RQF (Regulated Qualification Framework) NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, or level 2 qualification with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3
- Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement
Desirable
- Level 4 units in Health & Social Care
- Experience of the speciality area
- Willingness to undertake further study towards level 4 qualification
Experience
Essential
- In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs
- In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence
- In dealing with the public
- In working as an effective team member
- Of demonstrating own duties
- Ability to work effectively, professionally and independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team
- In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills
- Evidence of a commitment to user/carer involvement
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Responsive attitude and approach
- Dress appropriately for the environment
- Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to role
Special Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- As appropriate to the role:
- Demonstrates excellent customer care skills
- Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users
- Demonstrates safe decision making skills commensurate with role
- Excellent communicator
- Good IT/keyboard skills
- Diversity/cultural understanding
- Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust
- Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations eg, verbal aggression, body fluids, etc
- Non-judgemental, empathetic manner
- Demonstrates Trust Values
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Good administration and organisational skills
- Able to use observation skills to identify potential services user, environmental etc. risks and act appropriately
- Able to fulfil the requirements of the value based induction
Desirable
- Language skills other than English
- Experience of supervising/inducting others
Physical Attributes
Essential
- A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy)
- Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary)
Training
Essential
- Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area
- Must be willing/able to undergo job development and training
- Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, eg, Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in Maths and English or equivalent
- Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent eg, RQF (Regulated Qualification Framework) NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, or level 2 qualification with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3
- Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement
Desirable
- Level 4 units in Health & Social Care
- Experience of the speciality area
- Willingness to undertake further study towards level 4 qualification
Experience
Essential
- In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs
- In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence
- In dealing with the public
- In working as an effective team member
- Of demonstrating own duties
- Ability to work effectively, professionally and independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team
- In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills
- Evidence of a commitment to user/carer involvement
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.
