Community Support Worker

Job summary

Assisting qualified nursing staff in providing care and support of people with complex mental health needs within the community and/or patient's own home.

Providing person centred care and working within the recovery model approach enabling patients to work towards their goals within their care plans.

The post holder is responsible for reporting regularly to the care co-ordinator or other qualified staff, working both under supervision and on their own, reporting any relevant changes in the patient's condition and environment.

The post holder is responsible for undertaking assigned tasks that involve providing direct patient care in the community. Patients, relatives, carers and other staff will find the post holder flexible, approachable and with a helpful disposition.

This job description is subject to regular review and may be amended in the future after discussion with management. It is to be read in addition to existing Trust policies and procedures.

Main duties of the job

Assisting qualified nursing staff in providing care and support of people with complex mental health needs within the community and/or patient's own home.

Providing person centred care and working within the recovery model approach enabling patients to work towards their goals within their care plans.

The post holder is responsible for reporting regularly to the care co-ordinator or other qualified staff, working both under supervision and on their own, reporting any relevant changes in the patient's condition and environment.

The post holder is responsible for undertaking assigned tasks that involve providing direct patient care in the community. Patients, relatives, carers and other staff will find the post holder flexible, approachable and with a helpful disposition.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES CLINICAL

Act in a manner that protects and maintains the patients sense of dignity, personal relationships and social contact, while respecting the individuals religious beliefs and cultural practices

Observing and reporting to the care co-ordinator or other qualified staff, the changes in patients psychological and physical condition

Promote a recovery model approach, encouraging independence and realistic goal settings.

Assist in planning programmes of care together with the multi-disciplinary team, implementing these plans under the supervision and direction of the care co-ordinator.

Establish and maintain good/Professional working relationships with patients and carers

Assist the care coordinator in the planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care plans and risk management plans

Observe, record and report changes in the patients health and environment to the care coordinator or other qualified staff

Provide leadership and mentoring to student nurses

An understanding of the Mental Capacity Act

Able to access and maintain all mandatory training via eLearning/Virtual Learning Zone (VLZ)

Aware of own self-development need and attend appropriate courses as agreed at appraisal. (Life long learning)

To be appraised once a year

Undertake clinical supervision to enhance practice and accept constructive criticism to benefit safe practice

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Good record keeping by completion of accurate record within the patients nursing notes, reporting to the care co-ordinator or other qualified staff any changes, with due regard to confidentiality of information.

Actively participate and uphold all aspects of EPUT Customer Care initiatives remaining mindful of the all multi-disciplinary team. At all times be aware of the Trusts ethos and maintain customer care standards.

Be aware of your working environment and report any hazardous situations to the nurse in charge

Be flexible co-operative and willing in undertaking allocated realistic team tasks

Assist with Induction and teaching of new staff/visitors

Maintain and uphold the practice of anti-stigma towards all mental health issues, demonstrating a genuine commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices

Assist other members of the Multi disciplinary Team, e.g., Doctors, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Domestics, when required.

Ensure safe practice is maintained, by full awareness of the Trust Policies and Procedures, e.g., Health and Safety, sickness/absence procedure, clinical procedures

Be responsible for communicating accurate information with your colleagues in seeking to improve the quality of services provided to our clients/patients

Excellent communication skills with patients, carers and other staff on all issues

Responsible for working with your colleagues, seeking to improve the quality of services provided to our patients

Aware of one own attitude at all times, being co-operative and friendly with patients and other members of the team

Establish and maintain a good professional working relationship with carers, colleagues and other health/social care professionals working within the community and in-patient teams.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Computer Literate

Able to communicate electronically, i.e. using emails and use of trust intranet, record notes electronically

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;

• Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures

• To participate in the staff appraisal process and to undertake for any staff you manage

• To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy

• To provide management supervision where appropriate

• You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7-day a week, 24-hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts, where appropriate and operationally required.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

• Supporting and being supervised by registered nurses Knowledge of services provided within community setting
• Awareness of patients mental health issues, physical health care needs and wellbeing initiatives.
• Good record keeping
• Good standard of Education
• Commitment to improving patient care

Desirable

• NVQ qualification - level 3 or equivalent Previous experience of working within Mental health services
• Knowledge of Care Programme Approach Health and Safety Awareness / courses Knowledge of benefits and housing issues Basic knowledge of Mental Capacity Act

Skills/Experience

Essential

• Undertake Supervision to enhance practice
• Be involved and participate in the Appraisals process
• Ensures that own actions support equality, diversity, rights and maintain quality
• Able to work with limited supervision
• Assist in the provision and care to patients
• Offer support when required
• Awareness to seek assistance when required
• Awareness of when to request assistance from senior and other members of the team
• Ability to follow clear instructions
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Ability to feedback accurate information to other members of the team
• Recovery model approach in delivering care

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Reliable
• Ability to risk assess and give accurate feed back to the CPN
• Ability to maintain high standards
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Well presented, upholding EPUT policy and procedures.
• Be aware of customer care issues within the Trust, upholding these principles. Treating patients with respect and dignity
• Self-motivated
• Cheerful disposition

Additional Requirements

Essential

• I.T. Literate
• Knowledge equality and diversity issues
• Evidence of the awareness for comments, comments and compliments are taken forward in line with Trust policy.
• Driver

Desirable

• Enhanced computer skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chelmsford & Essex Centre

New London Road

Chelmsford

CM2 0QH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)