Clinical Support Worker
Thank you for expressing your interest in the above post, please find the following enclosures:
- Advert
- Job Description
- Person Specification
External Candidates
If after reading this material, you wish to apply, you must do so via the eESS website link and register:
The Vacancy Name / Number is Clinical Support Worker / IRC
If you require assistance with your application please contact HR via
**Please note if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks from the closing date your application
has been unsuccessful**
Human Resources
The StateHospital
Carstairs
Lanark
ML11 8RP
CLINICAL SUPPORT WORKER
(Skye Centre)
Salary:Band 3 £17,760- £20,727 plus £1,226 High Secure Environment Allowance plus High Secure Clinical Responsibility Allowance of £2,943 per annum.
Hours:37.5 hrs
Duration:Permanent
Details:The Skye Centre provides a high quality service that is individually focused and consists of a range of therapeutic, recreational, social, vocational, educational and physical health services for patients. An opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Support Worker to be based and work as part of a team, providing patient care primarily within the Vocational Activity Centres. The post-holder will be expected to be flexible in their approach as they may be deployed to work in other designated activity areas throughout the Skye Centre.
The successful candidate will be responsible for escorting patients to and from the Skye Centre, maintaining a safe environment and supporting patients during their attendance within the centres. Whilst working in the Skye Centre they will be responsible for implementing patients’ programmes and assisting the patients to engage in a wide range of therapeutic activities. We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic individual to provide high quality support to the existing team of Nursing, Rehabilitation Instructors and support staff based in the Skye Centre.
Experience:We would welcome applicants who have experience in working in a busy and demanding environment, hold a relevant SVQ level 3 qualifications or be able to demonstrate the equivalent skills and knowledge for the post.
You will be an effective communicator with positive interpersonal skills, motivated and committed to work with patients. You will have a responsible and caring attitude.
Information:For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Nicole Jordan on 01555 840293 ext 4402.
Closing Date:The closing date for applications is 23rd August 2017
Interested:You must apply via the eESS website link and register:
Job Reference IRC
If you are an internal candidate, and require details of your eESS login please contact HR via
Closing Date:The closing date for applications is 23rd August 2017
This vacancy will also be advertised on SHOW/Jobcentre
**Please note if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks from the closing date your application
has been unsuccessful**
THE STATEHOSPITAL
Job Description
1.JOB IDENTIFICATIONJob Title:Clinical Support Worker
Responsible to:Nursing Team Leader
Department(s): Skye Centre
Directorate: General Management
Operating Division: The StateHospital
Job Reference: N/A 1
No of Job Holders: 1
Last Update January 2014
2. JOB PURPOSE
As part of a multi-disciplinary team the post holder will carry out individual care duties for patients as directed by a registered nurse and will regularly work without direct supervision.
To support the work of other staff such as Rehabilitation Instructors within the Skye Centre This role requires an individual with the ability to provide individual patient care to set standards within clinical areas. There is a need for awareness of patient clinical issues and promotion of choice, respect and dignity.
The post holder will as part of a team assist the delivery of expert, high quality treatment and care in safe and secure settings.
The post holder will assist in providing patient treatment and care pathways that are focussed on achieving appropriate admission, treatment and transfer of patients.
The post holder working as part of a team will ensure that maintenance of public, staff and patient safety is paramount.
3. DIMENSIONS
Care to be provided both within and outwith the hospital
The post holder is expected to be flexible and work within all patient care areas of the hospital
The post holder is expected to cooperate with the NHSS modernisation agenda and embrace role change and job enrichment opportunities which arise as a result of that process
4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT
The key objective of the Skye Centre is to emulate the activities and services available to the general public within a high security setting to serve patients’ health, vocational, recreational and therapeutic needs.
6. KEY RESULT AREAS
Working with Patients:
To work, as directed, by the Senior Staff Nurse/Nursing Team Leader in the provision of patient care.
To provide specialist supervision to patients prescribed level 3 observation status.
To escort patients between wards and departments,
To participate in patient’s recreation and social activities as a part of their continuing care at the hospital.
To contribute to the assessment of the individual in response to the patient’s physical, social, spiritual, cultural and psychological needs,
To empathise with patients and assist them to express their thoughts, feelings and needs.
- The post holder will have a knowledge of the process of the PatientAdvocacy Service.
- To have an awareness of patients’ mental state and make adjustments to the activities in order to maintain a safe and secure environment.
To ensure that care is taken of patients' clothing, possessions and valuables whilst attending the centre.
- The post holder will have the knowledge and skills to serve meals to patients to agreed food hygiene standards.
- As and when required to escort patients on outings, including rehabilitation, compassionate,clinical, and forattendance at court, and on occasions be required to be hand cuffed to a patient as per Hospital Policy.
To work within the provisions of the State Hospital Health and Safety policy,
To ensure that at all times a safe and secure environment is maintained through involvement in audit and acting on concerns,
To perform specific directed duties such as laundry, menu planning, cleaning body fluid/ waste spillages and general housekeeping duties,
To ensure that hospital policies and procedures are understood and adhered to at all times,
To be familiar with and understand how to use the hospital radio system and personal alarm system,
To report to the nurse in charge, any matter relating to the safety of the environment or any breach of security policies, and propose changes to existing policies,
To act at all times in a responsible and safe manner whilst in the Tribunal Centre, Skye Centres or wards and encourage a warm and welcoming environment for patients, visitors and other staff.
Communication, listening and observation:
To observe the need for professionalism in both confidential and cultural issues,
To maintain a level of communication that is clear and without prejudice towards colleagues or others.
To report any concerns to the nurse in charge
To liaise with patients and carers providing information that is in line with service guidelines, e.g. facilitating off ward visits in the Skye Centre or other social functions held in the Skye Centre.
To be able to provide and receive highly complex and sensitive information about patients e.g. details of index offences.
Others:
To transport clinical information, specimens etc, safely and securely between wards and departments,
To participate in all directed training and development activities provided by the hospital.
To ensure that all visitors and professional visitors are greeted in a courteous manner.
To adhere at all times to the standards required by the staff charter
7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
The post holder will be required to use the following equipment for the reasons stated:
Moving and Handling equipment to assist patient mobility (hoists, wheelchairs, shower aids),
Cleaning equipment to clean areas
Using the equipment in the kitchen (dishwasher).
Medical equipment to assist qualified staff record vital signs (Blood Pressure monitor,
thermometer, etc),
IT equipment to read information (learning related, organisation related).
All mechanical or electrical equipment used in the work area. Use of some machinery which may
require training.
- Use of hospital radio and Panic Attack Alarm (PAA)
7b. SYSTEMS
Information will be required to be inputted to various IT systems on behalf of patients i.e. progress notes on patients’ involvement within activities recorded on the electronic patient record system (RIO). In addition, email messaging is the normal method of rapid communication within the StateHospital; the post holder will be expected to us this to agreed standards.
Ability to operate access systems (Key pad and Electronic Access using Proximity Card with PIN number).
The hospitals ordering system.
8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
Work will be assigned by the Senior Staff Nurse/Nursing Team Leader, or in their absence, an Enrolled Nurse, in clinical matters or the Rehabilitation Instructor in technical areas or jointly when there is an overlap.
The post holder is expected to show an understanding of basic financial, budgetary, procedural and resource implications when planning any new activities.
9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
The post holder will be required on occasions to make judgements involving a range of facts or situations, which require the analysis or comparison of a range of options. These will be reviewed as required with the Senior Staff Nurse/Nursing Team Leader.
Whilst working with patients who exhibit behaviours that challenge and at the same time have complex needs, the post holder will on occasions need to make judgements as to the most appropriate intervention. This will be done in consultation with the Senior Staff Nurse
10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
- To maintain a positive attitude towards the care of patients when challenged by negative behaviours from patients.
- To motivate patients to engage in therapeutic activity when challenged by the negative affects mental illness such as lethargy, poor motivation and lack of insight.
- Working within a high security setting.
11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder is required to provide and receive routine information, which requires tact or persuasive skills including when there are barriers to understanding e.g. perceptual difficulties, cultural differences and a range of sensory impairments.
Many of the patients within the hospital have difficulty with communication; the post holder will be expected to be familiar with both verbal and non-verbal communication methods.
They will be expected to communicate effectively with
patients
staff
professional visitors
relatives and carers e.g. facilitating weekend family visits
External and internal suppliers e.g. stores and Estates.
12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The State Hospital is a high secure forensic mental health working environment that cares for individuals detained under Mental Health and Criminal Procedure legislation. Patients detained are considered to pose a grave and immediate danger to themselves and the public. Working at The State Hospital involves being subjected to searching and security procedures, responsibility for keys, and working in a restrictive, locked environment.
Physical demands:
There is an occasional requirement to exert physical effort throughout the period of work, for example running to emergencies, working with other staff during the management of violence and aggressive incidents, both within own area and on other wards and departments,
Thepost holderwillbe trained in level 2 PMVA which requires updating on a 2 yearly basis. This enable the post holder to respond appropriately to aggressive incidents using approved control and restraint techniques,
There is a requirement to undertake prescribed mandatory training, both in attendance and on line modules for example, health and safety, fire safety, child protection.
Occasional driving of vehicles outside the hospital with a patient and other staff as passengers, as per Hospital policy.
There is a daily requirement to escort patients to and from the Skye Centreand Tribunal Centre, often in inclement weather
There is a daily demand while working in the Skye Centre, e.g. lifting loads of up to 10kg such as cases of juice, boxes of sweets etc.
Mental demands:
There is a need for constant awareness of security procedures including searches, patient movement restrictions, special observations levels and emergency procedures.
There is a need for constant concentration, in relation to patients observations, and other staff whereabouts,
The use of tools and sharp implements increases the possible severity of an incident, should one occur, and the post holder has the responsibility of checking these tools regularly throughout the day, the monitoring of them while in use, and the mental demand and constant risk assessment to maintain safety and security while providing therapeutic activity.
Emotional demands:
Frequent and prolonged exposure to highly distressing or highly emotional circumstances, due to the backgrounds and presentations of many of the patients. This can present exceptional challenges both in working with the patients and their carers, and in managing personal emotional responses to the work.
Environmental demands:
There may be frequent exposure to verbal and physical aggressive behaviour from patients and carers, and the risk of being assaulted by a patient,
There will be a requirement to work in areas with exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions. These will include body fluids, soiled linen
13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
The post holder will hold a relevant SVQ level 3 qualificationor be able to demonstrate the equivalent skills and knowledge for the post.
- The post holder will have knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Criminal Procedures Act, and the Human Rights Act, gained through experiential learning.
Responsible and caring attitude.
Effective communication and positive interpersonal skills.
Motivated and committed to work with patients with a serious mental illness, or learning disability.
Ability to give verbal reports or written reports to enable accurate recordings of patients needs.
14. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Job Holder’s Signature:
Head of Department Signature: / Date:
Date:
STATE HOSPITALS BOARD FOR SCOTLAND
PERSON SPECIFICATION: Clinical Support Worker
Attribute / Essential / Desirable
Qualifications /
- The post holder will hold a relevant SVQ level 3 qualification or be able to demonstrate the equivalent skills and knowledge for the post.
- Relevant technical skills i.e. sports qualification, gardening, craft & design
Experience /
- Motivated and committed to work with patients with a serious mental illness, or learning disability.
- Ability to give verbal reports or written reports to enable accurate recordings of patients needs.
- Experience working within an NHS environment or in a secure environment
- Knowledge of IT systems – Microsoft Word
Skills and Abilities /
- Self-motivated person with effective communication and positive interpersonal skills.
- Ability to give verbal reports or written reports to enable accurate recordings of patients needs.
- The post holder has the ability to work without direct supervision
Knowledge /
- The post holder will have knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Criminal Procedures Act, and the Human Rights Act, gained through experiential learning.
Personal Qualities /
- Requirement to demonstrate initiative
- Effective time management skills
- Sense of humour
- Warm and friendly
- Assertive