Senior Support Worker (Social Care)
Job Description
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Support Worker to join our social care team in Mental Health Services for Older People to assist us with the smooth running of the service.
As a healthcare support worker you'll be at the very heart of everything we do - it's a vital role that keeps the service going. You will work under the supervision of a healthcare professional, supporting them and helping patients on their journey back to full health.
Main duties of the job
You will be expected to :
- To assess need, plan, implement/ commission and evaluate care for a number of people that are allocated to them; this will include decisions regarding risk and risk management.
- Regularly work alone, without direct supervision, they will however be accountable to a qualified member of the team.
- Exercise communication skills, both verbal and written and be able to engage with acutely distressed people in challenging and unknown situations.
As a staff member you will represent Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) and will play a vital role in fostering positive relationships and communication between the Mental Health Trust and not only the clients and their carers and relatives, but also other agencies, charities, and providers.
All staff should comply with the Trust's Anti-Discriminatory Statement, Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Equality and Diversity.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission
Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job responsibilities
Be allocated a number of people, whom they will complete an assessment of care needs (primarily social care) and risk assessment of patients presenting with a wide variety of clinical conditions. Following this the post holder will be responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of programmes of care, without direct supervision (though clinical supervision is implemented as per policy to support you).
Be required to provide advice, guidance and education to clients and their carers and families regarding social care provision and policy.
Participate fully in providing quality of care in line with local and national guidelines.
Act as a role model in providing a service for people with mental health problems.
Participate in team audit projects associated with the service.
Be required to challenge practice that compromises or challenges high quality care to older people
To advise Team Manager of any resource short falls.
To partake in continuing professional development that will also benefit the development and quality of the service.
Document all activity on Care Notes (PARIS), ACSIS and Outlook, and to utilise Employee Online, Online Expenses and other computerised systems.
Working Relationships and Communication Requirements of the Job
Working relationships
As the post holder will be working within the community most of the time, they will need to be establishing and maintaining positive relationships with people, agencies, charities and other providers who also provide services to Older People in that community area. These relationships are vital and team members should bear in mind that they will be representing HPFT Close working relationships should be developed with other parts of HPFT notably Crisis teams, CMHTs and SMHTOPs
Communication requirements
The post holder will
Demonstrate the ability to receive and give clinical information verbally and in writing to those receiving care, their families/carers and professional colleagues.
Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and empathy in all communications.
Ensure adherence to all aspects of patient confidentiality, documentation and record keeping according to Trust and national guidelines.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and sensitively in complex situations.
Demonstrate an ability to negotiate and problem solve in contentious and /or antagonistic situations where agreement is required. When agreement cannot be reached to communicate clear and rationale decisions. E.g. In initiating Mental Health Act assessments.
Demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues within the all agencies whom they encounter to the benefit of the client and the service.
Clinical Responsibility
Carry out specialist mental health social care assessments and reviews of social care practice. Develop, implement, evaluate, and document specialist care. This will include frequent requirement for intense concentration.
To provide ongoing interventions for people where assessment indicates this to be relevant to their needs.
Where indicated by assessment, to discharge with appropriate care provisions and follow-up, with future review dates booked as appropriate.
Demonstrate a high standard of record keeping and documentation with adherence to Trust policies
Work with colleagues to develop and promote the services philosophy, framework of care delivery and strategic objectives.
Contribute to Mental Health strategy discussions/steering groups when requested by senior management.
Work with colleagues to develop and demonstrate clinical expertise and high standards of mental health practice.
Deliver care that is person centered reflecting current best practice, and challenges practice that may be detrimental to older people receiving high quality care.
Have an understanding of Mental Health Act.
Have a good knowledge of Mental Capacity Act, and to implement it when required.
Ensure that data quality and key performance indicators are upheld at all times.
Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility
Plan and organise their diaries, prioritise duties, and coordinate the care of the clients for whom they are allocated.
Give due regard to the health and safety, well-being, and interests of those who come in to contact with the team professionally.
Financial responsibility
Report any activity that may be fraudulent Be responsible for the completion of own extra duty and expenses claims.
Service Development and Improvement
Ensure that all policies applicable to SMHTOP are implemented To comment upon and propose changes to working practices and procedures relevant to SMHTOP
Analytical and Judgmental Skills
Be required to make judgements involving a number of facts and or situations which require analysis.
Make judgements where the situation is not straightforward such as those where information is limited or difficult to obtain.
Make judgements as to the best course of action where there are a range of options available.
Assess or interpret information to make a judgement.
Make judgements where expert opinion may differ or be conflicting.
Planning and Organisational Skills
Demonstrate the ability to prioritise and organise case/ workload on a day-to-day basis.
Ensure that the client is always given high quality care.
Where necessary request assistance from colleagues.
Represent the SMHTOP at meetings etc as delegated by the Team Manager.
When staff/students are attached to the team ensure that learning is facilitated to meet their needs.
Physical Working Conditions and Environment
Need to be able to drive to meetings /training off site and occasionally as required cover for colleagues on other sites. Be able to input information using computer keyboard. Be able to restrain people as necessary and maintain training for such as per HPFT policies/procedures. Be able to work in an environment that is at times extremely busy and demanding.
Information Resources
Be expected to maintain a record of hours worked and to time owing record monthly. Maintain up to date electronic records of people that the post holder has had contact with. Audit activity as required.
Person Specification
AREAS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- The ability to organise and prioritise own workload within any specified guidelines where guidance is not readily available, but at set intervals
- Proficient in diary management coordinating appointments to ensure best use of Managers' time
- Recognise people's right to privacy and dignity, treating every person with respect.
- Good range of problem solving skills. Good range of information gathering skills.
- Experience of adapting to change and ...
