Activity and Therapeutic Support Worker

NHS Ayrshire & Arran; Stratheden; On-site; AUD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking an Activity-Therapeutic Support Worker to assist individuals with mental health challenges, including dementia. The role involves providing 1:1 interventions, delivering engaging activities, and supporting patient independence. Candidates should possess SVQ Level III and have experience in mental health issues. This position offers flexible working policies and promotes equality and diversity.

Qualifications

• Committed individual with a desire to join a progressive, modern thinking Older Adults service.
• Keen interest in working in mental health.
• Willingness to learn new skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in provision of hospital and community based care.
• Deliver programmes of social and recreational activities.
• Support individuals experiencing mental health difficulties.

Skills

Engagement in practical skills

Personal organisational skills

Flexible approach

Ability to work as part of a team

Education

SVQ Level III or equivalent

Experience in mental health issues

Two years as a Clinical Support Worker

Job description

NHS Fife older Adults Inpatient Services: Mental Health

The Older adult’s Mental Health service has an exciting opportunity for a band 3, Activity‑Therapeutic Support Worker to assist in the provision of hospital and community based care. These posts will focus on 1:1 interventions and group work as directed by the Senior Charge Nurse and Occupational Therapists to support individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, including dementia. The post holder will use specific skills, knowledge and experience to engage patients/clients in activities to promote independence and physical, social and emotional well‑being.

The post holder will work within the older adult mental health wards at Stratheden Hospital with people who are experiencing acute and enduring mental health problems. Activities will require to be varied and flexible to meet the needs of patients with complex mental health problems and may also have a number of physical health issues.

This will include creating and delivering programmes of social and recreational activities with individuals and in groups which are flexible and respond to the needs of patients, improving recovery, maintaining independence and enhancing quality of life and well‑being.

You will be a committed individual with a desire to join a progressive, modern thinking Older Adults service. A keen interest in working in this area of mental health and a willingness to learn new skills is essential.

You will have the ability to engage in practical skills including the observation of patients. You will also have excellent personal organisational skills, a flexible approach and ability to work as part of a team. The following qualifications are required:

• A relevant SVQ Level III or equivalent working experience
• Knowledge and/or experience of mental health issues
• Skills and experience equivalent to two years experience as a Clinical Support Worker in a relevant clinical field.

A core requirement of this post will be to undertake SVQ Level III.

You will be supported to develop skills through our in‑service and statutory training programme as well as through our supervision and appraisal systems.

The post will be based at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline; however staff will be expected to provide input to other older adult mental health services when required.

Informal Enquiries: to Stuart Rae, Senior Charge Nurse Elmview ward Stratheden Hospital on 01334 696057, [e-mail] or Kerry Lowe, Senior Charge Nurse Muirview ward Stratheden Hospital on 01334 696091, [e-mail].

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigration Service. As part of the pre‑employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre‑settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the GOV.UK website.

For specific types of post, if you do not have the necessary eligibility to work in the UK, it might be possible (though not guaranteed) to secure sponsorship via a UK Skilled Worker/Health & Care Worker Visa. However, this is only possible if the employer is a licensed Sponsor, and if the post does not fall below the current minimum salary threshold or ‘going rate’. Further information on these criteria can be found here.

It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored BEFORE submitting your application form.

We offer flexible working and family‑friendly policies and fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long‑term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.