Support Worker | Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust; St Helens; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking individuals for a community-based role in Urgent Mental Health Care. Responsibilities include providing direct care, supporting individuals in crisis, and working collaboratively with qualified staff. This position offers the opportunity to develop essential skills in mental health support and contribute to community service delivery across multiple locations.

Benefits

Flexible working requests considered

Responsibilities

• Carry out assigned duties involving direct care and observation of service users.
• Report observations, productivity and service-user details to qualified staff.
• Work with service users on an individual and group basis as outlined in the care plan.
• Support individuals to recognise, cope with, and self-manage crisis situations.

Job description

Overview

This is a Community based role requiring regular travel between multiple sites to perform duties. An opportunity in Urgent Mental Health Care within Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust as part of the 24/7 Urgent Care Model. The service provides mental health assessment, intensive community interventions, advice, support and guidance 24/7 across access points for individuals presenting in crisis. The services are located at Southport District General Hospital, Aintree Hospital, The Royal at Liverpool, Whiston Hospital and Warrington Hospital.

Responsibilities

• Carry out assigned duties involving direct care and observation of service users under the guidance and indirect supervision of qualified staff.
• Report observations, productivity and service-user details (mental state and risk factors) to the qualified staff.
• Work with service users on an individual and group basis as outlined in the care plan and as directed by the named lead professional.
• Contribute to the assessment and delivery of a planned programme of care under the guidelines of ECC and with guidance from a qualified practitioner.
• Support individuals to recognise, cope with, and self-manage crisis situations and develop independence where possible.
• Report general observations and provide feedback to the qualified practitioner verbally and in writing as required, including concerns from physical or mental health.
• Support the effective running of the service by exchanging information with other departments (e.g., Inpatient Wards, Estates) via telephone, fax or written communication.
• Use verbal and non-verbal skills to overcome communication barriers related to service users’ mental health needs.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe environment for service users in the community.
• Carry out specific duties that contribute to service-user assessment as requested by a qualified practitioner.
• Develop and maintain links with other statutory and voluntary agencies and services.
• Use skills from mandatory training to de-escalate situations when service users become physically or verbally aggressive.
• Contribute to risk management by reporting incidents of risk to the service user or others as a result of their behaviour or actions.
• Participate in the Directorate's performance management/supervision framework and work toward identified goals within agreed timelines.
• Adhere to Trust policies and procedures and undertake mandatory training (e.g., Manual Handling).
• Under supervision, make accurate entries into health records and participate in staff meetings for effective two-way communication.
• Seek advice or further training if unsure about any duty and inform the qualified practitioner of incidents arising during duty.
• Take direction from the qualified practitioner for duties and tasks during your span of duty and participate in induction of new staff as directed.
• Participate in service development activities as required and, in exceptional circumstances, cooperate with reasonable requests from senior staff to vary your area of work to meet unplanned clinical need.

Professional and Organisational

• Act at all times in accordance with Trust policies and procedures and undertake mandatory training as stipulated by the Trust.
• Ensure interactions with service users are in line with policy and that health records are updated accurately under supervision.
• Participate in meetings and seek appropriate advice and training when needed.
• Maintain professional boundaries, dignity and confidentiality of service users at all times, both on and off duty.
• Contribute to the Trust’s right-based approach, service development activities, and equality and diversity commitments.

Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.