Job summary
Ward 15 are seeking an activities co ordinator for the patients with Dementia and Delirium. The post holder will need to be highly motivated and enthusiastic with excellent organisational skills in order to plan and facilitate a variety of therapeutic and meaningful activities within groups or individually.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for planning and organising activities for all patients within the ward area, at various times during the the direction of the registered nurse, the post holder will work will be to enhance the rehabilitation pathway via the facilitation of therapeutic based groups as well as social, vocational and physical activities.
The post holder will be required to support and facilitate patient's social, intellectual and spiritual well-being, through activity, by supporting interests and enabling participation. They will ensure the smooth running of the routines within the ward, and involving the patients in all activities as well as any staff in the induction period. The recording and maintenance of records relating to patients activities and preferences, answering enquiries from visitors, relatives, volunteers and any professional bodies associated with the provision of holistic and recreational care of the patients.
The post holder will deliver physical, psychological and social care to all of our in-patients within the Ward.
About us
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is part of the NHS Wales family. Our Health Board provides primary, secondary and community health and wellbeing services to around 450,000 people living in three County Boroughs: Bridgend Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
We live by our core values:
1. We listen, learn and improve
2. We treat everyone with respect
3. We all work together as one team
We are a proud local employer; around 80% of our 15000 workforce live within our region, making our staff not only our lifeblood of our organisation but of the diverse communities that we serve.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Plan, implement, and accurately document a range of therapeutic, social, recreational and leisure activities taking place in the Wards within the Acute Hospitals
Contribute to the monitoring, evaluation and modification of service user interventions in order to measure progress, and ensure effectiveness of activities.
Participate in discussions to implement suggestions made by service users for improving activities available.
Discuss effectiveness of activities, and request feedback from service users.
Exchange factual information with service users, using tact and persuasion to engage them in the activities being undertaken.
Co-ordinate a balanced timetable of activities, which will be implemented by self and the wider Nursing Team.
Interact with individual service users on identified areas of interest to help facilitate recovery, overcoming barriers to understanding using empathy and reassurance when delivering ward based interventions.
Contribute to the ongoing risk assessments carried out by the multi-disciplinary team.
Attend and contribute to clinical meetings/ward rounds as appropriate; effectively communicating information orally and in writing
Maintain accurate, legible information regarding service users, signing all records or case notes and ensuring a countersignature by a qualified member of the team, whilst adhering to Professional and Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB guidelines for Record Keeping.
Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with partner agencies.
Have a duty of care for any required equipment, ensuring it is fit for purpose to carry out identified activities and highlighting any faults or concerns to a Registered Nurse.
Take an active role in strengthening service user participation.
Have a clear understanding of Safeguarding issues, and report such issues immediately to a Registered Nurse.
Be required to have standard keyboard skills and familiarity with IT packages such as Word, Excel, and Outlook (E-Mail).
Undertake a range of duties as delegated by a Registered Nurse, including clinical observations as prescribed. Have a basic understanding of BLS and be able to escalate any health concerns to the Registered Nurse.
Use de-escalation skills and positive behaviour management if required.
Exercise own judgement to identify early signs of service user mood changes, and the potential of a challenging situation, with ability to de-escalate or instigate emergency procedures if needed.
Participate in the annual Performance Review (PDR) and Knowledge Skills Framework (KSF) process, identifying own learning needs
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
4. NVQ Level 3 in Health Care, knowledge and experience to its equivalency
5. Knowledge of care related procedures and processes
Desirable
6. ECDL computer qualification or similar
Experience
Essential
7. Experience of working with patients in a healthcare setting
8. working with elderly patients with a basic understanding of frailty and their limitations
9. working with Dementia or patients with cognitive impairment
10. Have an understanding of confidentiality
Desirable
11. experience of planning and or co-ordinating groups
12. experience of creating and facilitating specific elderly care activities pathways
13. experience in managing complex behaviours and facilitating specific activities for their needs
Aptitude and abilities skills
Essential
14. excellent communication skills
15. ability to work within a team
16. ability to maintain accurate, legible records, IT skills and standard keyboard skills
17. organisational and time management skills
Desirable
18. ability to speak Welsh
Personal Qualities
Essential
19. Ability to work using own initiative
20. Ability to prioritise duties
21. Able to lead activities sessions and act unsupervised, liaising with the Registered Nurse for guidance
22. Enthusiastic and Motivated