Job summary
The post holder will carry out mental health care and support to older people with mental health problems in the community in accordance with a laid down programme of care as designed by the multi-disciplinary team. The support worker provides this care under the direction of qualified nurses and social workers and encourages independence within the service user's social network. The post holder will regularly work alone without direct supervision for part of the span of duty.Support workers will have close working links and work in a co-ordinatedmanner with the members of the multi-disciplinary team, as well as DayCentre staff, Home Care staff and any other voluntary or statutory agencies involved with service users in their care.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a motivated and self directed individual to join our crisis team working with older people.Mental Health Services for Older People in East Hertfordshire work with older people to assess, diagnose, treat and support mental health conditions and/or dementia. The post holder will support the qualified staff by working to care plans that aim to enhance and optimise the potential and recovery of people who are open to our service. The post holder will also support qualified staff with other tasks to ensure the smooth running of the care that we provide.Mental Health Services for Older People has four departments - Community, Crisis, Therapies, and Early Memory Diagnosis and Support. The post holder will primarily work with the crisis team, but may also be required to work across the other three teams at times. We primarily see people in their own homes.Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)
Working hours are on a shift rota between Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 7pm.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just fivemental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare 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.
These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!
Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?
Then please read on...
Job description
Job responsibilities
To appraise senior staff of service users progress and observations of changes in their mental health condition and ensure that these changes are documented in service users notes.
Assist in the implementation of care ensuring service users rights to privacy, dignity, choice, independence and fulfilment are adhered to at all times.
Participation in multi-professional assessments and reporting back to other care agencies.
Providing support to service user and/or carer in accordance with a care plan, (maintaining social networks, maintaining a safe environment, communication/ liaison with other service providers, reassurance and emotional support persuading service user to accept support).
Participation in multi-professional reviews and Care Programme Approach / Care Management meetings.
Report any changes in circumstances in respect of the service users care to the agencies who are or may need to be involved in the service users or carers support network improving the quality of life, rehabilitation and independence of service users and their carers.
To ensure that all care services provided are offered without prejudice regardless of age, creed, gender, and ethnicity within their sphere of responsibility.
To develop awareness of service users cultural and ethnic needs to facilitate appropriate support and care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To appraise senior staff of service users progress and observations of changes in their mental health condition and ensure that these changes are documented in service users notes.
Assist in the implementation of care ensuring service users rights to privacy, dignity, choice, independence and fulfilment are adhered to at all times.
Participation in multi-professional assessments and reporting back to other care agencies.
Providing support to service user and/or carer in accordance with a care plan, (maintaining social networks, maintaining a safe environment, communication/ liaison with other service providers, reassurance and emotional support persuading service user to accept support).
Participation in multi-professional reviews and Care Programme Approach / Care Management meetings.
Report any changes in circumstances in respect of the service users care to the agencies who are or may need to be involved in the service users or carers support network improving the quality of life, rehabilitation and independence of service users and their carers.
To ensure that all care services provided are offered without prejudice regardless of age, creed, gender, and ethnicity within their sphere of responsibility.
To develop awareness of service users cultural and ethnic needs to facilitate appropriate support and care.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Training/Experience
Essential
- Good standard of education (to include Maths and English GCSE grade c or above - or equivalent).
- Computer literate (able to use Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
- Knowledge of legislation related to mental health and social care (e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, National Service Framework, National Dementia Strategy, Care Programme Approach etc)
- Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations.
Desirable
- NVQ in Health and Social Care
- Experience of working with people with mental health conditions
- Experience of working with people with dementia
Communication Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing
- Ability to feedback and discuss cases within the multi disciplinary team.
- Excellent documentation of duties performed.
- Confidence to work autonomously in the community.
Analytical skills
Essential
- Good range of problem solving skills
- Good range of information gathering skills.
- Positive approach to older people
- Fine attention to detail
General
Essential
- Good team player
- Committed to high quality care and service provision for older people.
- Good time management.
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the service needs.
- Able to drive and have access to a vehicle for work purposes
Desirable
- Ability to network, and form working relationships with other agencies, charities and providers.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Training/Experience
Essential
- Good standard of education (to include Maths and English GCSE grade c or above - or equivalent).
- Computer literate (able to use Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
- Knowledge of legislation related to mental health and social care (e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, National Service Framework, National Dementia Strategy, Care Programme Approach etc)
- Ability to manage distressing and challenging situations.
Desirable
- NVQ in Health and Social Care
- Experience of working with people with mental health conditions
- Experience of working with people with dementia
Communication Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing
- Ability to feedback and discuss cases within the multi disciplinary team.
- Excellent documentation of duties performed.
- Confidence to work autonomously in the community.
Analytical skills
Essential
- Good range of problem solving skills
- Good range of information gathering skills.
- Positive approach to older people
- Fine attention to detail
General
Essential
- Good team player
- Committed to high quality care and service provision for older people.
- Good time management.
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the service needs.
- Able to drive and have access to a vehicle for work purposes
Desirable
- Ability to network, and form working relationships with other agencies, charities and providers.
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.
