Band 3 Activity Coordinator | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Band 3 Activity Coordinator to plan and deliver activities for patients living with dementia or confusion. The role covers two wards, Arnold Whitchurch and Russell, with time shared between them to promote cognitive stimulation and social engagement during hospital stays.

You will join a small team of Activity Coordinators, supported by a multidisciplinary staff group, and contribute to a varied activities programme tailored to each

Qualifications

• Experience working in a healthcare setting as a Clinical Support Worker or Rehabilitation Assistant, preferably with dementia or mental health support.
• Ability to respond calmly and professionally to challenging situations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with patients, carers and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop and deliver group activities and one-to-one sessions for patients with dementia or confusion.
• Work with the multidisciplinary team to provide engaging activities tailored to individual needs and wellbeing.
• Maintain activity plans, observe patient responses, and report to the team.
• Support mealtimes and assist with therapy goals to improve functional outcomes.
• Promote social interaction, cognitive stimulation and overall wellbeing on the ward.
• Encourage participation in activities, both in groups and individually.
• Contribute to developing an innovative activities programme responsive to patient needs.
• Travel between ward areas as required and coordinate across Arnold Whitchurch and Russell Wards.
• Provide support to ward staff in managing stress-related behaviours.
• Adhere to Trust values and participate in probationary periods and required training.

Skills

Healthcare setting experience

Job description

Band 3 Activity Coordinator | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Company:

Company: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Activity Coordinator team. You will be responsible for planning, developing and delivering group activities and individual one-to-one sessions for patients living with dementia or experiencing confusion.

You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team to provide a varied and engaging programme of activities tailored to patients’ individual needs, interests and abilities, supporting their wellbeing and enhancing their experience during their hospital stay.

The post is 37.5 hours per week, worked over five days. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet patients’ needs and support the delivery of activities.

What about the department I will join?

You will join a team of four Band 3 Activity Coordinators based across our Care of the Elderly wards.

We currently have a vacancy covering Arnold Whitchurch Ward and Russell Ward, with your time shared between the two wards. Each ward accommodates 16 patients. Arnold Whitchurch Ward is a female ward, while Russell Ward is a male ward.

Ward staff will identify suitable patients each day who would benefit from additional support, supervision and engagement in meaningful activities. You will work with these patients to provide appropriate individual and group activities that promote social interaction, cognitive stimulation and overall wellbeing.

Although full in-house training will be provided for this role, candidates must have some prior skills and experience in working with people with cognitive impairment.

The essential skills and experience required for this position are outlined in the Personal Specification and Job Description available on NHS Jobs. However, we have highlighted three key requirements below:

• Relevant experience:Experience working in a healthcare setting as a Clinical Support Worker or Rehabilitation Assistant, ideally supporting patients living with dementia or experiencing mental health difficulties.
• Managing challenging situations:The ability to respond to challenging situations calmly, professionally and with patience.
• Compassionate communication:Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, carers, relatives and colleagues.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

• To promote person-centred care by ensuring the use of the ‘This Is Me’ biography.
• To provide cognitive stimulation through activities, social interaction and engagement to improve health and wellbeing.
• To provide instruction (verbal and non-verbal) to patients on a range of activities as part of the activities programme.
• To develop a rapport with patients to encourage and motivate them to participate in activities (either within a group or individually).
• To contribute to the development and implementation of a creative and innovative activities programme responsive to the varying needs of the patient group.
• To maintain and update an activity plan on the ward.
• To observe general behaviour, abilities and responses of patients and report them verbally to the multi-disciplinary team and record within the patient record.
• To provide support at mealtimes, encouraging oral intake and nutrition.
• To continue therapy goals set by therapists with the aim of improving functional outcomes.
• To support ward staff in managing stress related behaviours.