About this role
Job summary
24 hours per week.
To support all aspects of therapy assessment and treatment of patients within the role setting. Facilitate a wide variety of therapeutic interventions and activities depending on service needs (this may include, one to one, group or joint working with colleagues). Provide support and supervision to patients to enable access and participation in community-based support and social inclusion services.
You may be required to undertake 7 day working, including bank holidays, this is subject to the terms and conditions set out in your contract of employment.
The post holder will work with patients referred to the service who may have a wide range of acute/chronic conditions. To support the running of the department including admin responsibilities and infection control measures.
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 a continuing element of the overall therapy programme/treatment plan to clients within the setting. This may include clients with additional physical health needs, physical disability, behaviors that challenge and learning disabilities.
The post holder will be involved with monitoring the patients progress, making some treatment decisions while assessing and re-assessing the patients progress.
The post holder will observe general behavior, functional ability, and response of patients and record the information liaising with the senior therapist/worker.
To use knowledge and skills to engage patients in therapeutic activities to promote healthy psychological and physiological wellbeing. Encouraging self-management techniques were able.
Deliver, collect and instruct in the use of equipment for patients as part of their treatment plan.
Be responsible for material stock and maintenance stock levels as required. Order equipment from the Community Equipment Service.
To support and encourage patients, their relatives and carers in an active approach to regaining and maintaining maximal functional independence.
To be responsible for contributing to the planning, monitoring and evaluating of patient centred individual and / or group activities as part of a regular review of the service requirements if required within your team.
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
Responsibility for People Management
Participate in induction and support programmes in relation to new staff and volunteers where appropriate.
To receive line management support and supervision
Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources
The post holder will have no direct responsibility for finances; however they will adhere to the relevant trust policies on financial issues.
The post holder will use Livewell Southwest resources responsibly.
The post holder may be required to record and manage patients property as part of their role.
Responsibility for administration
Prioritises workload effectively, this could include scheduling your workday appropriately or managing your own diary of appointments and visits (as well as mileage if applicable) This requires a high level of time management and organisation skills.
To be aware of, and adhere to, the correct procedures for ordering, maintaining and using materials and equipment as directed by registered staff.
To participate in the planning and implementation of operational policies, projects and service development within the team.
To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date client records and related documentation in line with clinical guidance and LSW policy.
To be aware of, and act upon, LWSW and safety policies, including the prompt recording of any accident, incident, or other untoward event involving self, patients or other staff.
To keep abreast of policy changes and developments within LWSW and implement relevant LWS policies, protocols and guidelines.
To take a flexible approach to supporting colleagues in times of caseload pressure, including working with colleagues to maintain support across the team within the resources available.
Report any changes in the patients condition or care needs to the relevant therapist and document accordingly.
Maintain confidentiality of information being aware of trust policies and local protocols and keeping up to date with changes
To access email and other information through Livewell Southwest intranet
Responsibility for people who use our services
To form a rapport and professional relationship with patients, maintaining clear boundaries for effective working practices. Understand own limitations, responsibilities and accountabilities. Respect patient privacy, confidentiality, dignity, wishes and beliefs minimizing any necessary discomfort at all times.
Work with groups and individual patients using a range of treatment and interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy and good observational skills in order to assist an individual to achieve their potential/goals.
Other Responsibilities
To undertake practice supervision in line with practice supervision policy.
To participate in staff appraisal including the formulation of personal development plans.
To support new and less experienced members of all disciplines, both formally and informally, including students and placements within the team were appropriate.
To adhere to the Lone Working Policy and ensure procedures are adhered to.
To understand how to apply changes in legislation, policies and procedures.
To undertake any other duties considered reasonable and appropriate by team manager.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
To liaise with the multi-disciplinary team and other agencies involved in the patients care.
The post holder will need to be able to develop professional and therapeutic relationships with the following groups: (this list is for example and not exhaustive)
Patients
Carers
Families
Physiotherapists
Occupational Therapists
Nurses
Social Workers
Assistant Practitioners
Doctors
Managers
Administrators
External Agencies (e.g. community equipment provider, care agencies, Age UK, WPVC)
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The post holder may be expected to travel around Plymouth, South Hams, West Devon and in some cases Cornwall in the course of their duties as appropriate to role and setting.
The post holder may be exposed to unpleasant working conditions including exposure to bodily fluids including vomit and sputum. This may also include exposure to animals and unhygienic environmental/housing factors when working out in the community.
The post holder may be exposed to emotionally distressing situations on a regular basis, seeing people with mental illness, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and complex health needs. These include challenging and unpredictable behaviour.
There is a need to develop rapport and effective therapeutic working in a pressured environment with a high turnover of patients whose needs are many and varied.
The role will involve use of IT and VDU equipment on a regular basis.
This role will require the individual to use appropriate manual handling skills and equipment related to this role e.g. use of hoists, wheelchairs etc.
They may need to stay in static postures (kneeling/standing) move and adjust equipment in patients immediate vicinity to maximise their independence and assist patients during transfers.
The post holder may, on occasions, be required to assist with other duties to cover periods of staff absence.
The post holder may be exposed to the risk of physical assault and injury.
For those working in the community, the post holder will be required to be lone working and will be expected to use appropriate lone working devices/apps.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS
As part of your role there will be occasional requirement to draw upon appropriate shared skills to support holistic assessments.
The shared skills you are requested to complete for your role/team are detailed in the LSW shared skills matrix. Some of the shared skills (as listed below) may already be a core part of your role and you will not be required to do any additional training on these.
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.
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).
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
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Demonstrates the values required to work in this role, including demonstration of commitment to Livewell southwest values.
- Develops and maintains positive and appropriate relationships with service users, families and carers, demonstrates, kindness, empathy and respect at all times.
Qualifications
Essential
- Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 qualifications (e.g. A levels or T-Levels) or demonstrated ability and commitment to achieve a relevant level 3 qualification. Level 2 functional skills, or as a level 3 apprenticeship such as the Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship (or other level 3 qualification pathway)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of formulating therapeutic relationships.
- Previous experience of working within a healthcare setting or similar role(employment, work experience, volunteering)
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of mental health,
- physical health, learning
- disability conditions
- Understanding of the role of
- Occupational therapist,
- Physiotherapist, wider members
- of the multi-disciplinary team
- Understanding of own role boundaries
- Understanding of Livewell Southwest as an organisation,
- its service provision and what it means to be a community interest company.
Specific Skills
Essential
- Time management
- Communication 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
- IT skills
- Understanding of Policies and
- Procedures relevant to role
- Understanding of local and national guidelines relating to the role
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
Mount Gould Road
1st floor, Beauchamp Centre
Plymouth
Devon
PL4 7PY
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)