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Job summary

Main area
Dementia
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Shift working - 5 shifts over 7 days, early shift 7:30-15:30, late shift 12:00-20:00)
Job ref
152-M018.24
Employer
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Alderney Hospital
Town
Poole
Salary
£22,816 - £24,336 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/05/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Mental Health Support Worker

Band 3

 

 

The 5 July 2023 marked 75 years of the National Health Service. The founding principles remain as relevant, and valued, today as they were 75 years ago. Why not join us and make a difference to be Better Every Day.

 

 

Job overview

Are you passionate about helping people with dementia? The Intensive Community Support for Dementia have a unique opportunity for a Mental Health Support Worker to join our dynamic and supportive team based at Alderney Community Hospital.

ICSD are a well-resourced Specialist Community Team that offers specialist interventions at times of urgent and complex needs to help people with dementia and their carers in their place of residence safely. We offer as much care as possible within the person's living environment, with care, compassion and expertise and to strive to be better every day at what we do. You will need to have relevant skills, experience and knowledge in dementia health. As a Mental Health Support Worker passion and compassion are essential personal qualities for this role, along with excellent team-working, initiative, communication and assessment skills.

This post is full time hours however could be flexible and part time hours would be considered (minimum of 22.5 hours) ICSD is a 7 day a week service, operating from 7:30-20:00. You will be required to work a range of flexible shifts across the week. Weekends at enhanced pay.

07:30 -15:30

12:00 – 20:00

Main duties of the job

The team supports other secondary mental health services in preventing unnecessary admissions to hospital and supports families and carers as much as the person who has dementia. The mental health support worker role requires tact and confidence in equal measure and a high degree of integrity is needed. 

To undertake visits as per a patients care plan completing the tasks within the care plan to assist a patient and or carer. 

To assisting with personal care and looking at non pharmacological interventions to reduce distressed behaviours. 

 To visit and support patients in their own home or a Care Home

To be able to follow and demonstrate the delivery and implementation of care plans, under the direction of a registered nurse.

To carry out assigned tasks which have been identified by the registered nursing staff in relation to patients’ needs - this may include personal care, meal preparation, activity as a form of distraction or periods of 1:1. 

To provide a level of privacy and dignity to all patients, including being able to respond effectively to patients that are displaying an act of aggressive behaviour, or patients that have inhibitions.

Participating, with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, and under the direction of a registered nurse, in providing a programme of assessment and treatment for patients.

Working for our organisation

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.  When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Prince’s Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact [email protected]

For further information, please contact Michelle Hughes, Team Leader at [email protected] or on 01202 307783.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course, and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

Person specification

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Able to cope with personally challenging situations (like receive abuse)
  • Able to work as part of a team
Desirable criteria
  • Previous working in patients own homes

Training

Essential criteria
  • NVQ level 3 or willing to undertake
  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English
Desirable criteria
  • Rio training

Knowledge/Skills

Essential criteria
  • Previous work in Dementia care
Desirable criteria
  • previous work in NHS
  • Previous community work

Business travel

Essential criteria
  • Able to travel using own vehicle for work purposes (Business insurance needed)

Employer certification / accreditation badges

National Interim Quality MarkNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardModern Slavery ActApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveInvestors in PeopleImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingPrince's Trust - Proud to support the Prince's trust - Youth can do itStep into healthNHS 75th BirthdayHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Michelle Hughes
Job title
Team Leader
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01202 307783