Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical:

To contribute to the assessment and delivery of a planned programme of care under the guidelines of ECC and with guidance and indirect supervision from the qualified practitioner.

To support individuals so that they are able to recognise, cope and self-manage with crisis situations and to help them develop independence where possible.

To report general observations and provide feedback to the qualified practitioner both verbally and in written formats, if required. This should include any concerns arising from the service-users physical or mental health.

To contribute to the effective running of the service by providing and receiving information to/from other departments e.g. Inpatient Wards, Estates Department. Ensure this information is provided in the most effective way i.e. telephone, fax or in writing.

To use a variety of verbal and non-verbal skills to overcome communication barriers presented by service-users due to their mental health needs.

To contribute to maintaining a safe environment for service users in the community.

To carry out specific duties that contribute to the assessment of service-users as requested by a qualified practitioner.

To develop and maintain links with other agencies and services, both statutory and voluntary.

To use skills and techniques, gained during mandatory training, to de-escalate situation where service-users become physically or verbally aggressive.

To contribute to the development of risk management plans for service users by reporting, to the qualified practitioner, any incidents of risk to the service user or risk to others as a result of the behaviour or actions of service users.

Professional:

To participate in the Directorates performance management/supervision framework and work towards meeting identified goals and objectives as agreed in a PACE.

To act, at all times, in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

To undertake mandatory training as stipulated by the Trust and ensure that all interactions with service users are in line with this e.g. Manual Handling.

Under the guidance and supervision of a qualified practitioner, to make accurate and appropriate entries into health records.

To participate in staff meetings to assist effective two-way communication.

To seek advice and further training, if appropriate, before carrying out any duty you are unsure of.

To make the qualified practitioner aware of any incidents arising during your span of duty and carry out any actions arising from this as directed.

Take direction from the qualified practitioner as to any duties or tasks assigned to you for your span of duty and carry them out as requested.

To participate, as directed in the induction of new staff. 

Organisational:

To adhere to the Trusts rights based approach taking into account service user choice.

To take responsibility for ensuring your own personal safety and that of the service user when using equipment.

To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and any others that may be affected by your acts and omissions at work.

To ensure that you are familiar with the terms and conditions of your post.

To participate in service development activities as required. 

Other:

To maintain the dignity of service users at all times whilst dealing with aspects of personal care.

To seek appropriate advice and support from the qualified practitioner during occasions when service users or their carers become agitated or distressed.

To maintain service user confidentiality at all times both on and off duty.

To maintain appropriate professional boundaries with service users at all times both on and off duty.

To ensure that work is conducted in accordance with the Trusts Equality and Diversity Strategy.

In exceptional circumstances to co-operate with reasonable requests from more senior staff to vary your area of work to meet unplanned clinical need.