JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE POST OF Support, Time and Recovery Worker COMMUNITY ADULT MENTAL HEALTH TITLE: AGENDA FOR CHANGE PAY BAND: DIVISION ACCOUNTABLE TO: REPORTS TO: RESPONSIBLE FOR: Support, Time and Recovery Worker Band 3 Adult Mental Health Service Manager Team Leader N/A JOB SUMMARY: As part of a multidisciplinary team of health and social care professionals, the post holder will focus directly on the recovery needs of the service users providing the necessary Support and Time to aid Recovery. S/he will work under the guidance and direction of the care coordinators who are responsible for the management of service users care within the Care Programme Approach KEY RELATIONSHIPS The post holder will communicate with a range of professional staff, service users, carers and relatives and external agencies as appropriate. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Support Time Recovery Worker is a member of the clinical team and plays a contributory role in facilitating the health and well-being of the service user which may include: Recognising the individuality of the service user and help to meet his or her social, emotional and intellectual needs. To support service users to access a range of resources and services such as benefits and welfare rights, employment, education and training, and leisure in order to promote a sense of inclusion in the community and to combat social isolation and social exclusion. Will be involved in the delivery and coordination of agreed activities. Under the direction of the care coordinator, to provide both practical and therapeutic interventions as agreed in the service user s recovery care plan. Ensuring that basic physical needs are met, such as adequate diet, hygiene, warmth, comfort and safety. To provide information on health promotion, to support service users to access the team s wellbeing clinic and physical health monitoring
and, under the direction of relevant professionally qualified staff, to support them to undertake activities which is designed to enhance their physical wellbeing. To work collaboratively with service users to promote engagement with the service and with the contents of their care plan. Positively to promote the use of service user s strengths, assets and creativity to realise those aspects of their recovery care plan which are designed to enable an optimum level of independence and self management. Under the direction of the care coordinator, to provide support to service users and their carers to achieve and maintain a level of independence which is appropriate to them and to their social and cultural context. To acknowledge that set backs are part of the recovery process and that new learning can arise from them. To work with colleagues and carers to support a process of user led evaluation against a set of user defined recovery plan goals related to levels of wellness and recovery, independence and self management. This will involve attendance at the CPA reviews of the service users with whom the post holder is working. To identify issues of risks and signs of relapse or deterioration and to communicate these to relevant colleagues within the multidisciplinary team in a timely manner. To maintain electronic case records relating to the agreed care plan and the tasks which are allocated to the STR worker within this process as per Trust policy. To work in partnership with colleagues to maintain an environment which promotes team cohesiveness and team development by actively participating in risk meetings, clinical governance and business meetings and team events. To develop and maintain knowledge of local community resources which are relevant to service user needs. To satisfy the Trust s mandatory training requirements and to complete all training relevant to STR worker role. To participate actively in clinical and management supervision in accordance with the Trust Policy. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Presenting punctually for duty in a professional manner, correctly dressed, according to Trust Policy. 2. Maintaining good relationships with colleagues, patients, their relatives and the general public. 3. Reporting complaints or unusual occurrences to the team leaders immediately. 4. Recognising statutory obligations under the Mental Health Act 1983. 5. Undertake mandatory training. 6. Participate in supervision and appraisal. SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Maintaining confidentiality of information. 2. Being aware of Trust Policies and local protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes. 3. Having full knowledge of fire precautions and regulations, attending lectures. 4. Commencing First Aid procedures, where training has been given 5. Attending lectures or study days as required.
6. Carrying out any duties as may be delegated by the team leader or care coordinator, in accordance with training given. 7. To adhere to, and participate in, all appropriate Quality Assurance local and national programmes. DIMENSIONS This post has no people management or budgetary responsibility. STRUCTURE CHART Service Manager Team Leader Community Mental Health Professionals The postholder GENERAL INFORMATION: CONFIDENTIALITY Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of this post. Disclosures of confidential information or disclosures of any data of a personal nature can result in prosecution for an offence under the Data Protection Act 1998 or an action for civil damages under the same Act in addition to any disciplinary action taken by the Somerset Partnership NHS & Social Care Trust, which might include dismissal. It is the responsibility of each member of staff to be aware of, and to comply with, the Staff Code of Confidentiality, which highlights your responsibilities in respect of patient confidentiality. Where a member of staff receives a Freedom of Information request if they are in any doubt about it they should contact their line manager or the Information and Records Officer. Inappropriate disclosure of confidential information can result in disciplinary action and staff could be in breach of an Act of Law. Staff are reminded confidentiality includes sensitive corporate information as well as personal information. CODE OF CONDUCT Where appropriate members of staff are responsible for adhering to their professional code of conduct HEALTH AND SAFETY Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and must follow these in full at all times in order to ensure
that the agreed procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff. PERSONAL SAFETY All members of staff are required to undertake the level of training in personal safety appropriate to their role and work area, and to keep this training up to date. TRAINING On the job tuition will be given in all aspects and training is encouraged. Other training will be given for example fire training, physical health training, risk assessment. There are also opportunities for other training such as NVQ in health care. INFECTION CONTROL The Trust regards infection control as an essential requirement in the provision of a safe service to all its patients. All members of staff will be expected to follow the Trust policies in relation to Infection Control and staff have a duty to make themselves aware of the policy and how it affects them. Decontamination of hands is regarded as an integral part of the provision of the service and in particular staff in clinical areas that are in patient contact must decontaminate their hands between patients. Staff who are observed not complying with the policy should be expected to be challenged and action may be taken in line with the Trust's Employee Relations policy.
Person Specification Health Care Assistant and Activity Support Worker Indicative Band 3 REQUIREMENTS ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE Qualifications and Training Ability and desire to obtain both underpinning knowledge and skills appropriate to a STR worker. Must be willing to work towards NVQ level 3 in direct care or Community Mental Health certificate if not already held. NVQ Level 2 or 3. Certificate in Mental Health. METHOD OF ASSESSMENT Application Form Skills, Knowledge & Experience Ability to listen effectively and communicate effectively at all levels. Basic written communication skills to enable completion of records etc. Empathy, compassion and patience. Ability to create innovative in a range of settings. Ability to work on own initiative in a range of settings. Ability to form positive therapeutic relationships with service users and carers. A keenness to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of life for people with mental health problems. Experience of mental health difficulties. Previous experience of working in mental health services. Basic understanding of Recovery Model, issues of dignity and privacy Ability to transfer own life experience into helping relationship Basic understanding of risk Awareness of local services/resource Knowledge of benefits/employm Application Form and Interview.
Ability to acknowledge diversity and promote antidiscriminatory practice/equal opportunities. Ability to provide practical support with daily living activities. An ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging behaviour. Aware of the affect your behaviour can have on those around you. Listens to others views respecting and valuing individual patient needs. Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members. Excellent communication skills. Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients. ent systems Basic food hygiene Basic first aid skills Basic health and safety Moving and handling awareness Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team. Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records Basic computer literacy
Empathy and understanding towards people with mental illness. The ability to be firm/assertive without being punitive. Patience, confidence and tolerance. Effective team worker proven team player. Well Motivated and able to work with Initiative Desire to learn Compassionate - Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect. Intuitive and caring nature. Personal Qualities To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion. Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients. Sympathetic and considerate towards patients, carers and relatives. Ability to inspire hope, support recovery and make a difference. Act in a ways that support equality and diversity.
Other Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
EXPECTATIONS OF THE POST HOLDER CONFIDENTIALITY Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of this post. Disclosures of confidential information or disclosures of any data of a personal nature can result in prosecution for an offence under the Data Protection Act 1998 or an action for civil damages under the same Act in addition to any disciplinary action taken by the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which might include dismissal. Data Protection applies even after staff have left their employment with the Trust. It is the responsibility of each member of staff to be aware of and to comply with, the Staff Code of Confidentiality Policy, which highlights your responsibilities in respect of service user (patient) confidentiality. Staff who are governed by a professional Code of Conduct are expected to uphold their professional body s provisions relating to confidentiality. INFORMATION GOVERNANCE All staff must keep up to date with Trust requirements and changes in this area. Your attention is drawn specifically to: Information Technology: correct, professional and safe use of computers and digital data storage solutions. Data Protection: Confidentiality of service user and staff information either verbally or in writing and including IT solutions, e.g. secure e-mails, paper records and other media. Freedom of Information: All NHS staff may receive a FOI request and must be aware of who to contact. Senior Managers will be responsible for ensuring information governance is complied with by staff they are responsible for. Each Head of Service or Senior Manager will report any performance issues in relation to information governance to the Director they are accountable to. Employees are individually responsible for the quality of data, which they input to Trust systems and documents. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION Staff must also be aware of the Freedom of Information Policy because they may be asked for confidential personal and/or corporate information under the Freedom of Information Act, which can only be disclosed if approved. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in dismissal. HEALTH AND SAFETY All staff have a responsibility and duty of care to operate safe working practices to prevent injury to themselves and others affected by their acts or omissions whilst undertaking duties and activities for the Trust. Individuals may find themselves liable to action if they fail to report health and safety/risk issues. All staff are required to make themselves aware of and comply with the Health and Safety policy. Smoking is prohibited on all Trust sites. FITNESS TO PRACTISE & TO UNDERTAKE JOB ROLE The Trust has an obligation to ensure that employees do not start work without careful examination of their fitness to undertake the post for which they applied. Employees should also be honest and trustworthy, acting with integrity at all times. In order to demonstrate that they are fit to practise, employees should: - act quickly to protect the safety of patients if you have reason to believe that you or a colleague may not be fit to undertake the duties within their job role. Job Description for Health Care Assistant and Activity Support Worker - Post ref: AUG 5 9
take effective action if they have concerns about the honesty of others. be honest and trustworthy when writing reports, completing and signing forms and using the RiO electronic patient record system. be honest and trustworthy in any financial dealings, especially if you are managing finances, and make sure that any funds are used for the purpose they were intended for. co-operate with any formal inquiry by your professional body or the Trust into your health, behaviour or performance, or that of anybody else. comply with the regulations of your professional body and all Trust policies and procedures. If the ability to perform Control and Restraint (C&R) or Prevention of Violence, Management of Aggression (PVMA) techniques is a requirement of the role the individual must declare physical fitness to undertake such a role. All members of staff are required to undertake the level of mandatory training and personal safety training appropriate to their role and work area, and to keep this training up to date. RECOVERY All employees are required to have an understanding of the broad principles of the Recovery Approach and to incorporate them into every aspect of their work in support of the Trust s aim to provide services that support people s recovery through being holistic and promoting social inclusion, self management, personal autonomy and independence. INFECTION CONTROL The Trust regards infection control as an essential requirement in the provision of a safe service to all its patients. All members of staff will be expected to follow the Trust policies in relation to infection control and staff have a duty to make themselves aware of the policies and how they affect them. Decontamination of hands is regarded as an integral part of the provision of the service and in particular staff in clinical areas who are in patient contact must decontaminate their hands following all examinations or treatment and before dealing with another patient. Similarly, ensuring the cleanliness of equipment is the responsibility of all staff, with staff in clinical areas expected to decontaminate equipment in line with Trust policy. Staff who are observed not complying with any infection control policy should be expected to be challenged and action may be taken in line with the Trust's Employee Relations policy. SAFEGUARDING It is a requirement that all staff undertake both the mandatory Level 1 Children and Adults Safeguarding training. These are combined for all staff and form part of the Trust s induction programme. The Trust has clearly defined structures for Safeguarding Adults and Children; these are underpinned with policies, procedures and additional training where appropriate depending on individual roles. Each team has a Lead for Safeguarding who will receive additional role specific guidance and training from the Safeguarding Lead and Named Nurse. The Trust s Safeguarding intranet pages provide all staff with up to date policies, procedures and guidance that must be adhered to as well as other useful information and contact details for the Safeguarding Team. This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job. This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and such changes will be discussed with the post holder. The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Health and Safety and confidentiality of information. Job Description for Health Care Assistant and Activity Support Worker - Post ref: AUG 5 10