Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose: The principal purpose of the job is to improve the health & wellbeing of people with Dementia and /or mental health difficulties. This will be achieved by:

• Active involvement in & role modelling the delivery of high quality, safe & compassionate care as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Promoting and enabling a person-centred approach to care home staff, family members / carers.
• Organising and managing a defined caseload to working independently, being guided by a clinician and will access clinical supervision.
• Seeking advice and expertise of a registered practitioner when required through the use of regular managerial & clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy.
• Supporting people to work toward agreed objectives with a care plan developed and agreed with the service user and/or carer where possible.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills:

• To communicate in a skilled and respectful manner with clients, families and carers who may have specific difficulties in understanding and/or communicating and who may be distressed / present with challenging behaviour.
• To participate in clinical meetings and to work collaboratively with other colleagues in the multi-disciplinary team.
• To maintain appropriate professional boundaries whilst recognising abilities and limitations of own competence
• To communicate complex and sensitive condition related information concerning the assessment, treatment and risk factors
• To establish and maintain clear and professional relationships with others at all times.
• To liaise and work collaboratively with a range of other professionals in statutory and non-statutory organisations agencies.
• Provide a high standard of written and verbal communication that is clear and in line with Trust documentation standards.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills:

• Recognise own clinical competencies, knowledge base and experience, and ensure that you practice within this and seek support as required.
• To make informed and well-reasoned decisions, recognising when to seek further advice from a registered practitioner.
• Undertake risk assessments and determine the appropriate course of action, which has taken into consideration a range of possible options. Where necessary, ensure that consultation with senior colleagues is undertaken
• Recognise and take action to deal with any situations which may provide a conflict of interest.

Planning and Organisational Skills:

• To organise, plan and prioritise own workload under distant guidance of a registered practitioner.
• To provide evidence based advice, guidance and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals within standard protocols.
• Planning, co-ordination and review of services including active reviews and review of placements as delegated by other registered practitioners
• Organise clinical meetings and ensure that interventions/services are planned in an integrated and co-ordinated manner to best support the client/carers, this may include liaison with external agencies.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation:

• To follow Trust policy guidance in relation to your team and role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments.
• Actively embrace change, respond positively to new priorities and challenges, and look for opportunities for service development and improvement.
• To contribute to service development activities as required by line management to improve the quality of care offered by the team.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources:

• Responsible for the safe use of any relevant equipment/resources in line with Trust Policy.

Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training:

• Demonstrate personal responsibility and initiative for own learning and continuing professional development including core training in line with the Directorates Workforce Plan in accordance with Trust policy.
• Engage in reflective practice to monitor their own performance and progress and accept feedback from others to continue their ongoing development.
• To assist the work of other support workers, students or trainees as required.
• Actively engage with line management, clinical supervision and Personal Development Review
• Demonstrate personal responsibility and initiative for own learning and continuing professional development including core training in line with the Directorates Workforce Plan in accordance with Trust policy.
• Engage in reflective practice to monitor their own performance and progress and accept feedback from others in order to continue their ongoing development.
• To assist the work of other support workers, students or trainees as required.
• Actively engage with line management, clinical supervision and Personal Development review.

Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties:

• To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication.
• Ensure information resources including the Intranet are consulted regularly to maintain a current knowledge of Trust, Directorate and Team priorities and safety initiatives.
• Ensure information is shared with key stakeholders and other agencies in a secure manner.

Responsibility for Research and Development:

• To contribute to any relevant Research and Development activities as undertaken within the team.

Freedom to Act:

• To work within the Trust operational policies and service specifications of the team.
• Organising and managing a defined caseload to working independently into Care Homes being guided and supported by a clinical member of staff and will access Clinical supervision and working within standard protocols/ integrated care pathways.

Any Other Specific Tasks Required:

• Undertake all necessary academic study and work-based training associated with the post.
• Undertake any other reasonable management request.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a health or social care setting
• Working with people with challenging behaviour and complex health needs

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE in Maths and English (Grade C or above) OR Level 2 Key Skills / Functional Skills in Maths and English
• QCF Level 4 or equivalent level of knowledge or substantial knowledge from experience in a caring role
• IT Skills

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Knowledge of Dementia and person-centred care
• An understanding of physical health problems which can impact a persons mental health and monitoring of the same.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and appropriate action to take.

Desirable

• Awareness of the Code of conduct for Health Care Support Workers in England

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate sensitive information to patients, carers and colleagues.
• An ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships.
• Ability to work with people in a group or on an individual basis.
• Able to work in a team effectively and collaboratively.
• Ability to evaluate complex information to assist with decision making.
• Problem solving skills.
• An awareness of own scope of practice and ability to make appropriate judgements on when to refer issues to a registered practitioner.
• Ability to assess risk (to self, service user and/or family/carers) and to take appropriate action.
• Organisation and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently within defined procedures and care pathways
• Ability to be mobile across a geographical area in a timely manner and in accordance with service need.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively.
• To demonstrate empathy, compassion and patience, towards people.
• To remain professional at all times including challenging situations.
• A *Standard / Enhanced CRB Check will be required for this role.

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

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service

Conduit Place

Bristol

BS2 9RU