About this role
Job summary
14.85 hours per week.
To assist Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists working under supervision, in providing an Intermediate Care and Rehabilitation Service to patients to promote faster recovery from illness, prevent unnecessary acute hospital admissions, support timely discharge and maximise independent living within the recommended time frame of six to eight weeks.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
Main duties of the job
To provide prescribed care packages under professional supervision, supporting independence and, where possible, preventing hospital admission by enabling patients to remain safely at home.
Assist with exercises, equipment and rehabilitation to improve mobility and function, supporting independence with daily living activities including washing, dressing, meal preparation and household tasks.
Support patients at home and in the community to regain confidence with shopping, public transport and hobbies. Undertake delegated tasks as agreed by the care team, working within own competence, accountability and limitations.
Identify and minimise risks relating to falls, moving and handling, and the home environment. Support patients, carers and relatives with safe use of specialist equipment, daily living aids and strategies to reduce risk.
Contribute to patient reviews, case conferences, goal setting and evaluation of progress, ensuring goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. Maintain dignity, privacy, preferences and beliefs, promoting a person-centred approach.
Support healthy lifestyle advice, including balanced nutrition and identifying concerns regarding poor dietary intake. Handle patient finances when required.
Undertake basic nursing procedures including simple wound management and observations where appropriate. Complete documentation, statistical data, audits, training and health and safety activities, and implement recommendations from evaluation.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description Job responsibilities
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1 Responsibility for people who use our services
To provide, under the supervision of professionals, prescribed packages of care and where possible, prevent hospital admission by supporting independence with the aim of maintaining the patient in the home environment.
Under supervision assist in developing and restoring the function of the body using exercise and equipment for the patient to gain an optimum level of mobility.
Under supervision develop the patients ability to perform daily living skills that may have been temporarily impaired, e.g. washing and dressing, cooking meals in order to return to the optimum level of independence.
Work with patients, under the supervision of the professional, at home and in their local environment which may include re-familiarising them with tasks such as shopping and use of public transport and previous hobbies.
To undertake a wide range of assessed tasks that have been delegated in relation to the specific individual as agreed in the care team.
Skilled in sensitively ensuring patients are aware of their limitations and that all goals are, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound.
Participate in the review or case conference of individual clients and contribute to the evaluation and development of their progress in reaching goals.
Identify potential risk in moving and manual handling of patients and to act in a way that minimises risk.
Assist in ensuring falls risks are identified and minimised when working with patients at risk of falls.
Understand own limitations, responsibility and accountability.
Work independently using a wide range of skills.
Teach patients, carers and relatives the correct use of specialist equipment and daily living aids.
Offer information to patients, carers and relatives on how to reduce risk in their own home.
Undertake any work activities and related training as stated in Health and Safety policies and procedures.
Undertake the collating of statistical information and take part in the auditing of the service as required.
Understands how to implement recommendations and respond effectively to evaluations.
Respect individuals privacy, dignity, wishes and beliefs and by minimising any unnecessary discomfort at all times.
Ensure there is a good understanding of the individuality of each patient in order that their usual lifestyle, in most cases, is not compromised
To assist in ensuring patients understand the importance of following advice on maintaining a balanced diet and identify those patients at risk through poor dietary intake.
Work with patients, under the supervision of the professional, at home and in their local environment which may include re-familiarising them with tasks such as shopping and use of public transport and previous hobbies. Will handle patients money.
To undertake a wide range of assessed tasks that have been delegated in relation to the specific individual as agreed in the care team.
Deliver nursing procedures, e.g. simple wound management, Basic Observations and any other procedure deemed appropriate for or during the intermediate care period.
5.2 Responsibility for People Management
Take advantage of learning opportunities both within and out of the workplace as identified in the individual staff review with line manager.
Facilitate learning in others and contribute to compiling resources essential for the development of the post. Introduce new staff into the department and teach them the systems and procedures.
Participate in Appraisal, Line management and Practice Supervision as appropriate under LWSW policies.
Prioritise workload appropriately and reinforce all improvements, successes and achievements at every opportunity, supported by relevant and accurate information.
5.3 Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources
Order equipment for Therapists and to maintain stock levels.
5.4 Responsibility for administration
Collect, collate and record appropriate personally generated observations and report to the team or caseload holder any significant changes that might be detrimental to the patient.
5.5 Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments
Understand how to apply changes in legislation, policies and procedures. Work with the team to suggest service developments.
5.6 Other Responsibilities
Participate in Audit as required.
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The Therapy Support Workers with liaise with the patient, carers Therapy staff Nursing staff and health and Social Care staff at the Hub. .
Communicate with a range of people on a range of matters that is appropriate to them and the situation.
Skilled in sensitively ensuring patients are aware of their limitations and that all goals are, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound.
Interact and communicate with patients, carers and relatives appropriately and effectively taking behaviour and body language into account in order to ensure information is understood by all concerned.
Communicate effectively with those who may have a physical and or mental impairment, e.g. loss of sight/hearing, depression/anxiety, stroke.
7. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB AND WORKING CONDITIONS.
The post holder will deliver and fit equipment daily into patients homes, carrying commodes and heavier equipment such as a Return stand aid.
The post holder will raise beds and chairs as required. .
The post holder will be involved with patient handling to enable rehabilitation, on frail and end of life patients. .
Patients will have behavioural problems and mental health diagnoses including Dementia. .
The support worker will assess the general health of the patients whilst they are having Therapy and relay any changes to registered staff.
The post holder will help patients clean themselves if they have been incontinent.
The post holder will discuss the patients condition with them offering basic advice and sign posting.
8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS
The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.
8.1 Risk Management
In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk.
8.2 Health and Safety at Work
You must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and in following policies and procedures. A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the intranet or from the Risk Management Department.
You are reminded that in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourself and to others affected by your work activities.
You will be notified where your post carries a requirement for immunisation.
You may be required to be able to undertake physical intervention training and participate in physical intervention as part of a physical intervention team and Basic Life Support (BLS).
8.3 Infection Control
Livewell Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance with Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies. All staff must comply with infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).
8.4 Safeguarding Children and Adults
All employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards their health and wellbeing. Familiarisation with and adherence to national and local safeguarding adults and children policies is an essential requirement upon all employees. Livewell Southwest has specific safeguarding policies and in addition, employees also have a responsibility to practice and work within the multi-agency policy developed by the Safeguarding Adults Board and the Safeguarding Children Board. Staff are also required to participate in related mandatory/statutory training.
Person Specification
Specific skills Essential
Ability to work single handed. Ability to work under pressure and with flexibility. Competent listening and observation skills. Good communication skills, written and verbal. Positive interpersonal skills. Good co-ordination/organization skills. Ability to work as part of a team. Ability to teach technical skills/life skills to clients. Able to contribute to the training of other staff/students Ability to help run the community based groups
Experience Essential
Experience of working as part of a team. Experience of participating in supervision and Appraisal Working independently
Desirable
Ability to prioritise delegated work
Qualifications Essential
Good standard of education Vocational Qualification Level III or able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and ability to work to this level Written and verbal skills Basic IT skills Ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport
Desirable
GCSE English and Maths Vocational Qualification Level III in Intermediate Care desirable
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 Livewell Southwest
Address Livewell Southwest
The Hayloft
Puslinch
Devon
PL82NN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)