Job summary If you are passionate about helping patients regain quality of life, and passionate about putting smiles on faces, this job will interest you. Sussex Rehabilitation Centre is a 39 bedded inpatient neurological rehabilitation unit. We rehabilitate patients after they have had potentially life changing events such as strokes, traumatic brain injuries and spinal injuries. Our patients stay with us, on average, 65 days. It is vital that we do everything we can to help maintain their mood and participation whilst with us, in order to ensure that they make the most of their rehab opportunities. The Activity Coordinator role is designed to offer leisure activities for patients so that they remain engaged with their rehabilitation and experience less depression and anxiety. Activities such as singing groups, quizzes, art, cooking for pleasure, social groups and newspaper group are examples of activities that the activity coordinator runs. You would work as part of a multi-disciplinary team which includes Nurses, Doctors, Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Dietetics. Our patients often come to us fully dependent on care, wheelchair bound and go through a process of adjustment. Many of our patients return home more independent and with quality back into life; inspiring us all. You would be supervised by a therapist at Sussex Rehabilitation Centre and will work closely with therapists and nurses to run an inclusive programme of events. Main duties of the job Main duties of the role are to: develop and run a therapeutic activity programme in order to increase patient participation in goal directed activities on a specialist neurological rehabilitation unit. maximise opportunities for patients to be active and to enhance quality of life for patients, whilst on the unit, by facilitating group activities, coordinating volunteer workers and organising leisure events. The post holder will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team; liaising closely with nursing and therapy staff to design person centred activities contributing positively to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of patients About us At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/ Date posted 07 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 279-6912577-MAR25 Job locations Princess Royal Hospital Upper Lewes Road Haywards Heath RH16 4EX Job description Job responsibilities To develop and run a therapeutic activity programme in order to increase patient participation in goal directed activities on a specialist neurological rehabilitation unit. To maximise opportunities for patients to be active and to enhance quality of life for patients, whilst on the unit, by facilitating group activities, coordinating volunteer workers and organising leisure events. The post holder will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team; liaising closely with nursing and therapy staff to design person centred activities contributing positively to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of patients. Key Working Relationships Nursing, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, volunteer services. Main Duties and Responsibilities To communicate with patients and staff in a way that respects their views, autonomy, culture and diversity Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicate sensitively and empathetically with patients/ carers; including those who may have cognitive and/ or communication impairments and those whose first language is not English To be able to use a range of communication tools to meet individual needs, such as the interpretation service, Makaton, communication books To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure relevant information regarding patients status is reported back Escalate any concerns arising within the daily routine to senior therapy team To deal sensitively, safely, effectively and professionally with challenging situations for example, high anxiety levels, violence and aggression from patients To use communication strategies to persuade, motivate and engage patients to enable them to participate in therapeutic activities To ensure written and oral communication is clear and effective To provide instruction to patients in a group setting i.e. Exercise classes To attend patient-related multi-disciplinary meetings as directed by senior staff To gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work, with the guidance of therapists, within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment To conform to trust values and behaviours and promote them in others Participate in gaining feedback from patients, friends and family, using the friends and family test. Job description Job responsibilities To develop and run a therapeutic activity programme in order to increase patient participation in goal directed activities on a specialist neurological rehabilitation unit. To maximise opportunities for patients to be active and to enhance quality of life for patients, whilst on the unit, by facilitating group activities, coordinating volunteer workers and organising leisure events. The post holder will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team; liaising closely with nursing and therapy staff to design person centred activities contributing positively to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of patients. Key Working Relationships Nursing, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, volunteer services. Main Duties and Responsibilities To communicate with patients and staff in a way that respects their views, autonomy, culture and diversity Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicate sensitively and empathetically with patients/ carers; including those who may have cognitive and/ or communication impairments and those whose first language is not English To be able to use a range of communication tools to meet individual needs, such as the interpretation service, Makaton, communication books To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure relevant information regarding patients status is reported back Escalate any concerns arising within the daily routine to senior therapy team To deal sensitively, safely, effectively and professionally with challenging situations for example, high anxiety levels, violence and aggression from patients To use communication strategies to persuade, motivate and engage patients to enable them to participate in therapeutic activities To ensure written and oral communication is clear and effective To provide instruction to patients in a group setting i.e. Exercise classes To attend patient-related multi-disciplinary meetings as directed by senior staff To gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work, with the guidance of therapists, within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment To conform to trust values and behaviours and promote them in others Participate in gaining feedback from patients, friends and family, using the friends and family test. Person Specification Experience and skills Essential Basic knowledge of roles of other members of the multidisciplinary team. Liaison with external agencies and volunteers. Experience of fund raising and innovation Experience of running groups and facilitating an activities programme Ability to build relationships with colleagues, patients and families. Experience working with individuals who have communication difficulties such as a hearing impairment or cognitive difficulties and dysphasia. Desirable Experience of working as a therapy assistant or technician in a rehabilitation and/ or neurological inpatient setting in the NHS. Experience of attending patient-related meetings, MDT meetings etc. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Essential Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Person Specification Experience and skills Essential Basic knowledge of roles of other members of the multidisciplinary team. Liaison with external agencies and volunteers. Experience of fund raising and innovation Experience of running groups and facilitating an activities programme Ability to build relationships with colleagues, patients and families. Experience working with individuals who have communication difficulties such as a hearing impairment or cognitive difficulties and dysphasia. Desirable Experience of working as a therapy assistant or technician in a rehabilitation and/ or neurological inpatient setting in the NHS. Experience of attending patient-related meetings, MDT meetings etc. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Essential Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279) Address Princess Royal Hospital Upper Lewes Road Haywards Heath RH16 4EX Employer's website https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)