Band 3 Learning Disability & Autism Support Worker - Bristol

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust seeks a dedicated care worker to support people with learning disabilities or autism experiencing mental health crises in a hospital setting. You will work as part of a clinical team from admission through recovery and discharge.

Role requires excellent communication, flexibility for evenings, nights and weekends, and willingness to travel within the service. Driving license is desirable but not essential.

Qualifications

• Empathy and compassionate approach to care.
• Strong communication with patients, carers and colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred care in line with care plans.
• Assist with nursing tasks under supervision and guidance.
• Support admission, care, and discharge processes for service users.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

Safeguarding

Job description

Job overview

Do you bring passion and commitment to delivering high quality care? Do you have experience working with people with a Learning Disability, Autism or Mental Illness? If so, this role will provide you with a rare and exciting opportunity.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) are seeking to recruit individuals dedicated to the support of people with Learning Disabilities and or Autism that are experiencing mental health crisis and require hospital admission.

The Kingfisher Inpatient Service is an initiative that will provide highly specialised treatment in a purpose-built environment. You will work as an integral member of the clinical team supporting patients on their journeys from admission to recovery and discharge.

As part of the expanding expertise in learning disabilities and neurodiversity within AWP we will support you to develop your knowledge and skills making this an exciting career opportunity.

Right to Work in the UK This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application, as the organisation is unable to support sponsorship for this post.

Main duties of the job

You must have excellent communication skills and be willing to work flexibly to meet service needs this will include evening, night and weekend shift patterns.

Driving license is desirable however not essential for this role. For further details please refer to Job Description and Person Specification.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities please see attached 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 operating procedures, policies and within professional boundaries raising concerns when indicated.
• Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organisational 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 elevate 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

Experience and knowledge

Essential criteria

• Empathy
• Well-developed listening skills and effective verbal communication skills, and ability to communicate both face to face, via email and by telephone.
• Experience of supporting other workers
• Knowledge of the types of stigma / prejudice experienced by people with Learning Disabilities, and possible ways of challenging this.
• Team-working skills and ability to function effectively and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Experience or understanding of adult, children’s, mental health or learning disability setting
• Ability to articulate and demonstrate compassionate, focused care that values diversity and equality
• Possession of, or ability and willingness to undertake, an appropriate Level 3 vocational qualification (e.g. Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship)

Desirable criteria

• Training around understanding of behaviours that challenge.