Job summary
Our Recovery Workers use activities to improve the mental health of in-patients. They also help in-patients to prepare for a return to the world beyond the hospital ward. It is an interesting and enjoyable role where your days work could include mindfulness and exercise groups, running arts and crafts sessions, conversations with service users around their interests and visits to the hairdresser or local social groups, all with the aim of achieving therapeutic in-patients are older people with a range of mental health conditions on a 14-bed Older Persons Mental Health Ward in Southampton. We need Recovery Workers on the ward every day, so the role will involve working on Saturdays or Sundays every Recovery Worker is a valued part of the therapy team and will work with staff who are friendly and supportive.
Main duties of the job
Under the supervision of qualified therapists, the Recovery Worker will:Provide a range of individual and group activities for the patients on the ward, which bring a sense of enjoyment, satisfaction and mental well-being.Promote independence and provide opportunities for in-patients to continue their interests as a means of recovery.Facilitate access to the community and identify local resources of interest to the recovery tools such as Recovery Star and WRAP to identify recovery goalsWork closely with the therapy team, under the supervision of the qualified within appropriate service/clinical guidelines such as the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and Recovery accurately in patient notesStay up to date with all statutory and mandatory trainingWork under own initiative, be creativeBuild relationships with service usersUse patience and empathy
About us
Southern Health is one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK, specialising in mental health and learning disabilities, as well as offering physical health community-based services.
With a workforce of more than 7000 and a footprint that spans more than 200 sites across Hampshire, we're wholeheartedly committed to providing the best possible healthcare, reaching a range of diverse communities, whilst placing patients and staff at the forefront of all our endeavours.
We are currently working closely with other NHS Trusts to integrate all our collective community, mental health, and learning disability services. Our new organisation, to be known as Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, is set to launch in July 2024.
The transformation will happen in staggered stages; Hampshire CAMHS, part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust joined Southern Health in February 2024, with Isle of Wight NHS Trust mental health and community services transitioning in early May 2024. The final combination of Southern Health and Solent Trusts is anticipated to occur in July 2024, when the new organisation will be formed.
Our new Trust will continue to cater to the unique needs of different communities, making healthcare across the county more accessible, as well as offering staff more opportunities for career development, training and partnership working.
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare in Hampshire.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.
We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Literacy and numeracy skills at GCSE level or equivalent
2. Experience of working with older people in a care setting
3. Basic IT skills and ability to use standard packages
Desirable
4. NVQ 2 or 3 Health and Social CareExperience working with people who have mental health conditionsExperience working in an NHS mental health serviceExperience of using recovery tools such as WRAP and Recovery Star
Experience
Essential
5. Experience of working with older people in a care setting
6. Understanding of the value of activities in improving health and wellbeing
7. Knowledge of the needs and difficulties affecting older people
Desirable
8. Experience of working with people who have mental health conditions
9. Experience working in an NHS mental health service
10. Awareness of the needs and difficulties affecting people who have mental illness, such as depression, psychosis and dementia
Additional Criteria
Essential
11. Ability to work autonomously in a busy environment
12. A creative, fun and confident approach with older people
13. A holistically focussed understanding of service users
14. Evidence of effective interpersonal skills with older people
15. Effective written and oral communication skills
16. Basic IT skills and ability to use standard packages
17. Good personal organisation skills
Desirable
18. Experience of Group work and individual activity skills
19. Experience of using Recovery tools such as WRAP and Recovery Star