[ref. l6052724] NHS - Activity Co-ordinator

Job overview

If you are looking to start your mental health career pathway, our Acute Wards can offer you a great environment that will enable you to develop your skills & confidence as an Activity Co-Ordinator.

Rose Ward is a mixed acute ward providing care to adults with mental health conditions such as Bipolar Affective Disorder, depression and schizophrenia. The ward can support the needs of up to 20 patients in a caring and compassionate environment.

The Activity Co-ordinator service operates seven days a week, where your working days will rotate (including weekends) with a second Activity Co-ordinator. Working hours that suit the needs of the ward can be discussed with the hiring Manager.

Under the supervision of a member of the ward staff /qualified practitioner the post holder will plan, coordinate and implement a range of individual and group activities designed to meet the social and recreational needs of in-patients.

The post holder will be required to use their initiative when working independently on the wards and are expected to report any clinical progress, concerns or change to a qualified practitioner.

Under the supervision of a member of the ward staff /qualified practitioner the post holder will plan, coordinate and implement a range of individual and group activities designed to meet the social and recreational needs of in-patients.

1. To demonstrate a knowledge and awareness of current clinical issues in relation to people currently experiencing mental health problems
2. To take the lead in planning a range of therapeutic activities that are appropriate for the needs of patients in agreement with the MDT
3. To be able to establish effective therapeutic engagement and relationships with inpatients and carers
4. To facilitate social and recreational activities for inpatients with a range of problems and complex needs, with the aim of supporting their health, well-being and recovery
5. To ensure a programme of daily activities are on display for inpatients to see and provided in a timely and organised manner to support routine and structure
6. To work on the wards and promote engagement in activities and provide low level stimulus, e.g. creative activities, social interactions, discussions
7. To be able to to assess patients well-being during activities and social interactions and monitor progress
8. To adapt activities to meet the needs of people and provide a calming, de-escalating manner at all times
9. To provide verbal and written feedback to relevant MDT members following activities as required
10. To complete robust documentation of each session within the patients’ care record following an activity
11. To risk assess all activities provided and ensure individual risk assessments for patients participating in activities on or off the ward is read and understood

Working for our organisation

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust site

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The “must haves” for this role:

1. GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English
2. Good knowledge of craft and social activities and how they can be used within a group
3. Basic knowledge of health and safety

We have created a culture where everyone has a voice and where service users and staff collaborate to make positive change.

The post holder will be required to use their initiative when working independently on the wards and are expected to report any clinical progress, concerns or change to a qualified practitioner.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Mark Wiltshire on 0118 960 5202 or email: [email protected] who’ll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

• GCSE Level C or equivalent in English

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Previous Experience

• Experience within a hospital or similar care setting
• Experience working with patients with Mental Health
• Experience working with groups of people

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Good knowledge of craft and social activities and how they can be used within a group
• Basic knowledge of health and safety
• Understanding of de-escalation

• Basic knowledge of health promotion
• Understanding of risk identification and assessment.

These are the values that we live by at Berkshire Healthcare:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

We welcome people who share these values to come and work for us.

Please find attached the behaviour framework that underpins these values for this job role.

At Berkshire Healthcare, we foster an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs.

Watch our careers video to learn more.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants and armed forces community members who meet the minimum criteria.

Please note we may close positions before the advertised date.

If you need help with your application, please contact us on [email protected]

Once you have applied, please check your email regularly for updates. All appointments are subject to NHS Employment Checks, and false information may result in withdrawal of offers. For information on how we store your information, please review our privacy statement.

No agencies, please.