Support Worker - Gillingham

Job overview

We provide support for individuals who are experiencing an acute mental health episode in the community, as well supporting people who have been discharged from inpatient wards. We provide a menu of interventions, to ensure the highest level of care and support is delivered.

You will also work within the Rapid response function undertaking assessments with a qualified member of staff 24/7 received from Urgent Mental Health Helpline as well as undertaking gatekeeping assessments.

Main duties of the job

This is an opportunity to be part of a dynamic service, providing opportunities to develop your skills and your career. You will play a key role in the multi-disciplinary team. You will need experience of working in a mental health care setting and have skills and experience in delivering a menu of interventions aimed at promoting recovery such as: health promotion, anxiety management, social inclusion, emotional first aid, self harm reduction and safety planning in collaboration with patients, carers and social support networks.

This is a permanent role at agenda for change band. The service covers a 24 hour shift rotation over 7 day’s a week.

Working for our organisation

Come and work with us in the Garden of England where we combine exceptional professional development opportunities with a tremendous quality of life.

We are Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), providing mental health, learning disability and specialist services, serving 1.8 million people across the county.

The Trust (rated Good overall by the CQC and Outstanding for care) has 3,283 staff working in 66 buildings across 33 locations, covering an area of 1,450 square miles.

You will be joining friendly, passionate colleagues, rich in their diversity, who are committed to providing excellent care to our service users and their loved ones.

The nature of our work attracts kindness and compassion as standard and everyone from our cleaners and porters to the chief executive and chairman are recognised as playing a vital role in providing an exemplary service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Training and qualifications

• Ability and desire to both obtain and underpin knowledge and skills appropriate to a support worker.
• To be able to work a 24hr shift pattern including day shifts, night shifts and weekends
• Be willing to work towards the qualifications listed in the desirable section

• Certificate in mental health.
• Health and social care awards as examples
• NVQ level 2 or 3 as an example

Experience

• Previous experience of working in or using mental health services.

• Knowledge /experience of emotional distress.
• Knowledge/experience of mental health services.

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to listen effectively and communicate effectively at all levels.
• Basic written communication skills to enable completion of records etc.
• Empathy, compassion, and patience.
• Ability to work on own initiative in a range of settings.
• Ability to form positive therapeutic relationships with service users and carers.
• Ability to provide practical support with daily living skills
• Ability to act calmly in emergencies and respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging behaviour

• Awareness of local services / resources.
• Knowledge of benefits / employment system.
• Previous experience working within mental health services
• Experience and knowledge to complete physical health vital signs for patients
• Basic first aid
• Basic health and safety awareness
• Moving and handling awareness

Circumstances

• Able to travel within the geographical work area and across directorates in a timely and effective manner.