Support Worker - Memory Assessment Service

Pennine Care NHS FT; Stockport; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Support Worker for the Memory Assessment Service in Stockport. The role involves supporting the clinical team, assisting in diagnosis clinics, care planning, and liaising with patients and external providers to ensure consistent care delivery.

The post requires experience with older people with mental health problems, or willingness to learn, and a commitment to multi-disciplinary teamwork within community settings.

Qualifications

• Experience working with older people with mental health problems is desirable.
• Willingness to develop skills in mental health through learning opportunities.
• NHS or public sector experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support the Memory Service clinical team in delivering care.
• Assist in diagnosis clinics and post-diagnosis care planning.
• Act as a link between the Memory clinic, patients and external providers.
• Document case notes clearly in patient records.
• Attend supervision and contribute to group sessions and audits.

Skills

Mental health

Communication

Teamwork

Care planning

Carer support

Education

Level 2 qualification

Dementia training

CST training

Tools

PARIS EPR

Job description

Support Worker - Memory Assessment Service

As part of the wider Older Peoples Mental Health Services an opportunity has arisen for a mental health support worker to join the Older Peoples Community Mental Health Memory Assessment Service.

This award winning team is based at The Meadows within the borough of Stockport. The service provides a resource into a variety of settings to support a range of disciplines from health, social care and the third sector in order provide mental health liaison to meet the mental health needs of patients.

The team is looking to recruit a support worker with experience working in Mental Health Services. We will also consider applicants with limited mental health experience but who are willing to develop skills and participate in learning because of a special interest in the area of mental health.

Following a re-organisation of community and crisis services in the Stockport borough an exciting opportunity has arisen for Mental Health Support workers to work alongside qualified Mental Health Nurses to support the crisis tier in providing collaborative care for individuals who have developed or who are experiencing an exacerbation of mental health symptoms as a result of physical health or social change.

The role includes providing timely mental health assessment, care planning and working effectively within a multi-agency team to prevent acute hospital admission and to ensure the individual's mental health needs are supported effectively.

Main duties of the job

You will work under the direction of the team but be able to work without direct supervision in implementing plans of care.

You will provide direct care to service users in order to support individuals who are in crisis as a result of physical health or social status change which is directly or indirectly impacting on the individual's mental health.

The role also includes communicating and supporting wider health and social care professional groups to model effective approaches to care when supporting individuals with mental health needs.

About us

We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.

Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We're really proud of our#PennineCarePeopleand do everything we can to make sure we're a great place to work.

All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.

If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
• Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
• Access to Continued Professional Development
• Involvement in improvement and research activities
• Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
• Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel

Job responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to work within the Memory Service and offer support to the clinical team. A key role of the Support Worker will involve supporting the diagnosis clinics and ensuring a point of contact following diagnosis.The role will provide a link between the Memory clinic, patient and other external providers to ensure a consistent care delivery and assist in accessing services as needed, making referrals as required.Contribute to the understanding and knowledge the patient and carer have around dementia to assist them following diagnosis.Attend and participate in team meetings and group clinical supervision as well as individual Managerial supervisionSupport the MH practitioners within the Memory Clinic process and with cognitive assessments such as Addenbrooks.Support the development of the post diagnosis pathway and facilitate group sessions as required.Main Duties & ResponsibilitiesTo support the patients and carer in clinic following diagnosis and assist in the care planning and signposting as needed.To work within the limitations of the post seeking help and advice when unsure or any unmet need or risk and reporting concerns to a qualified member of staff/ line manager.To be able to offer appropriate advice to carers and patients to reduce distress and promote wellness in Living with Dementia.Contribute to the development of the Memory assessment and post diagnosis pathway.Increase understanding of Dementia/ MCI. Receive training in areas within the limitations of the role on areas such as CST and treatments.Assist in the organisation and suitability of post diagnosis groups.Contribute and assist in the post diagnosis sessions on offer from the memory clinic.Contribute to the discharge planning.Understanding and use of Patient EPR such as PARIS. Be able to document clear and concise case notes.Assist in any Audits or data collection directly related to MAS.Develop and review resources for patients and carers that can be given at the point of diagnosis.To show high level of competency in communication and autonomy.Work collaboratively with the wider MDT.Adhere to Trust/Borough policies, procedures and guidelines.To attend mandatory training sessionsTo participate in regular monthly supervision sessions and annual appraisals.To participate in regular clinical supervision.

Education / Qualifications

• Level 2 qualification or equivalent plus further training and/or experience to Level 3
• Dementia training
• CST training

Experience

• Able to demonstrate previous experience working with older people with mental health problems especially Dementia
• Previous NHS experience.
• Memory Clinic experience
• Working with EPR ie PARIS

Knowledge

• Able to demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to complete paperwork relating to delivery and collection of patient notes.
• Comprehension skills sufficient to be able to read and understand written instruction.
• Understanding of the problems associated with old age
• Knowledge of Trust's Policy and Procedures
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical and managerial supervision.

Skills and Abilities

• Able to demonstrate an ability to work to deadlines.
• Able to demonstrate the ability to use initiative to resolve problems and to prioritise workload.
• Able to demonstrate the ability to work alone with clients and carers, understand the need to communicate back to MDT and concerns.
• Able to demonstrate a flexible approach to changes in workload/duties/ priorities.
• Able to demonstrate a basic understanding of Dementia. Good interpersonal and observational.
• Good communicator and ability to develop rapport with people.
• Ability to work within a team and flexibility
• Able to demonstrate ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to plan, organise and facilitate groups.
• Understanding of services for people with Dementia.
• Working knowledge of a Memory clinic. Understanding of Cognitive screening tools.

Work Related Circumstances

• Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
• Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust's Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
• Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£25,760 to £27,476 a yearPer Annum, pro rata