Band 3 - Learning Disability & Autism Support Worker - Bristol

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Bristol seeks a dedicated support worker to deliver person-centered care for individuals with mental health challenges. Responsibilities include assisting with daily living skills, supporting independence, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. Candidates should have a Level 3 vocational qualification or willingness to undertake one, alongside experience in relevant settings.

Qualifications

• Good general education.
• Willingness to undertake a Food Hygiene certificate.
• Experience in mental health or learning disability settings.

Responsibilities

• Deliver person-centered care to individuals.
• Assist in the assessment and management of care.
• Promote independence and empower service users.

Skills

Team-working skills

Effective communication skills

Listening skills

Education

Level 3 vocational qualification

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Scope & Range

• To be responsible and accountable for own practice, working within limits of competence, standard operatingprocedures, policies and within professional boundaries raising concerns when indicated.
• Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organizational skills to effectively deliver person-centered care for an allocated group of individuals.
• Contribute to the improvement of service by reflecting on own practice and supporting that of others. Sharing ideas with colleagues to improve care and suggest areas for innovation.
• The post may involve [inpatient/community-based] work with external trips and visits to service users in the community or their homes or day services. An ability to travel is essential.
• To demonstrate and support the service user with daily living skills e.g. laundry, making food, snacks, drinks, cleaning etc.

2. Clinical Practice

• Develop understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the on-going delivery, assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care.
• To keep the patient at the centre of their care, ensuring patient and carer participation in decision-making and promoting health and independence through awareness raising and care navigation to other professionals as appropriate.
• Deliver effective care following treatment plans determined by the Registered Nurse or registered care professional and provide feedback on progress against the plans.
• Understanding of principles of the Mental Capacity Act / Best interest process / Mental Health Act /
• Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the Registered Nurse or registered care professional as required. Understanding of informed consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures. Ensuring all relevant documentation is completed in a timely manner.
• As directed, respond to the needs of service users quickly and effectively, as outlined in care plan / risk assessment / positive behaviour support plan etc and as per trust policy and procedures.
• Assist with promoting independence and empowerment with individuals to enable them to make their own informed health care decisions. Ensuring patients are supported to reach their optimum level of independence.
• Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times and that the needs and wishes of the individual are documented.
• As trained, assess, perform, inform registered practitioners and record clinical physical observations e.g. blood pressure, temperature, respirations, pulse, food & fluid intake, bodily functions.
• Monitor, record and inform registered practitioners around observations as trained for example changes in mood and mental state and/or behaviours that challenge using tools such as ABC charts, sleep monitoring, frequency charts etc.
• Assist in the assessment of risk and contribute to the production of risk management plans.
• Promote a healthy lifestyle through undertaking health education and promotion with service users, family members and/or carers. This will involve using accessible information.
• Escorting or accompanying service users for planned periods of leave on hospital grounds and in the community to promote social inclusion and normalization.
• To accompany service user during hospital admissions and outpatient appointments as risk assessed.
• To identify and escalate safeguarding issues of vulnerable children and adults reporting in a timely manner to registered colleagues/management when required.
• To follow and be accountable for own responsibilities in regard to safety e.g. key holding requirements, visitors management, infection control etc

For a full list of duties and responsibilities please see attached job description.

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria

• Good general education.
• Possession of, or ability and willingness to undertake, an appropriate Level 3 vocational qualification (e.g. Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship).
• Food Hygiene certificate/willingness to undertake.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience or understanding of adult, children’s, mental health or learning disability setting.
• Demonstrable understanding of learning disability issues and mental health and taking a positive, non-judgmental approach towards service users, carers, colleagues and members of the public.
• Knowledge of the types of stigma / prejudice experienced by people with Learning Disabilities, and possible ways of challenging this.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Team-working skills and ability to function effectively and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Ability to form and sustain a trusting relationship with service users/carers.
• Well-developed listening skills and effective verbal communication skills, and ability to communicate both face to face, via email and by telephone.