Address
Form of work
SalaryTo provide engaging activities which enhance the well-being of individuals throughout their stay on the Forget me not unit. This is done through promoting social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and physical activity.
Main duties of the job
Working for our organisation
Within this role you will be supported through regular clinical and management supervision, regular team meetings with peers and included in service development.
The trust offers a range of developmental opportunities and in this role you can be supported to explore trust initiatives such as OT or nursing apprenticeships.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Daily Responsibilities
Between 9-10.00am
Attend morning handover to have an update on patients and risks
Write up date and orientation help (e.g. the weather) in designated place
Write up activity plan for the day with specific times/ venues
Ensure newspapers have been brought to the ward, clear away old papers.
Update menu boards for mealtimes.
Set up the ward environment - ensure any activities left out overnight are cleaned and put away and get out different activity offer. This may include board games, colouring, quiz books etc.
Greet all patients who are awake, possibly knocking on doors of those who need some prompting to wake up and tell them what time the first activity will be happening etc.
Between 10-11.30am
10.00am Music and Movement - offer a group in lounge focused on music and movement, this may be chair based exercises or a parachute game etc.
This should only last up to 30minutes
Rationale: Engaging in exercise or movement for an older person with dementia is beneficial as it can enhance mobility, balance, and strength, thereby reducing the risk of falls and improving overall quality of life.
10.30am - Tea Trolley - the tea trolley can be done by any member of the team but fits well in the Activity co-ordinator role. It is an opportunity to identify key patients who can support pushing the trolley round or helping to set the trolley up etc.
11.00am - Group offer in lounge or dining room
The group may vary depending on weekly timetable but in general 11am is a good time for a structured group. It may be a good opportunity to move the offer of a group into the dining room to provide a change of scenery, something skills based such as cooking which works well before lunch or something which is better sat around a table such as a discussion or current affairs group.
11.45am - Setting up for lunch.
Ideally alongside the patients prepare the environment for lunch - patients might be able to help with: wiping down the tables with a spray and cloth, placing out cutlery and napkins etc.
Patient Lunchtime 12-12.30pm
Check with the nursing team if its helpful to stay and support during lunchtime. It can be helpful if possible to leave at this point to avoid overcrowding in the dining rooms - it provides a good time to tidy up following the morning activities or prepare activities for the afternoon.
If it is helpful to stay then being present to model good person-centred care, provide choice and engagement on tables with other patients is helpful.
Putting on some appropriate music, or providing conversation starters etc when helpful.
12.30- 1.00pm - Lunch
This is a good time to get off the ward and have a 30 minute lunchbreak. This is subject to change depending on the needs of the ward but ideally staff should aim to take their break at this time.
Afternoons:
AC presence on the ward is key at this time - those on long shifts are generally taking their lunch breaks at this time and so the ward can be short on staff and AC may be asked to help with patient observations etc.
1.00- 2.30pm - Group offer in lounge or dining room
The group may vary depending on weekly timetable but in general 1- 1.30pm can be a good time for a more structured group. It may be a good opportunity to encourage patients to return to the lounge in anticipation of an afternoon activity or returning to the dining room for something skills based such as woodwork or crafty.
Adapt as necessary based upon the needs of the patients - some may need a rest after lunchtime and so an opportunity to rest and listen to some relaxing music can be helpful. Set something up in the lounge such as watching a short film or episode of something and take the opportunity to focus on 1:1 interventions with patients, perhaps those that like to get outside for a walk or offering some individual sensory interventions such as hand massage etc. The ward OT can advise on what may be helpful for individuals.
2.30pm - Tea Trolley - prompts as above at 10.30am. This can be a good time to have an impromptu tea and chat session and reconnect patients who may have had a rest.
3.00pm - 4.00pm - Group offer in lounge or dining room
Depending on the activities from earlier in the afternoon this time might be a good time for a group quiz, musical bingo or regular bingo, an extended tea and chat. Assuming the TV hasn't been the main focus for the earlier part of the afternoon it might be a good time for a film club - use popcorn, set up the lounge etc to make it feel like more of an experience.
In the summer months this is a good time to spend time in the garden, either actively gardening or sitting in the warm sun and looking through a paper. You could set up a spa activity with cold water to bathe feet in to keep cool, watering the plants and exploring the plants growth etc.
4.00-5.00pm - End of Day
• Notes writeup on carenotes
• Complete activity logs
• Handover to nursing team any significant observations or feedback.
• Tidy up as much as possible but leave activities available for evening/ overnight
• Use any time left to plan day ahead tomorrow
Weekly responsibilities
Agree with ward manager and OT specific time to be able to organise and create resources. This is recommended to be \u00bd a day a week but will vary between ward to ward and according to ward pressures. This will be reviewed regularly in supervision depending on presence on the ward.
Weekly \u00bd hour catch up with OT to plan activities and discuss caseload.
Monthly responsibilities
Attend monthly activities meeting - an opportunity for Peer support from colleagues, share planning for upcoming seasonal events and consider resources.
Attend management supervision with ward manger and clinical supervision with OT.
Maintain mandatory training and attend other training relevant to role on agreement with ward manager.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- A recognised qualification in an area related to the workplace or equivalent technical/life skills
- Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
- Health care or relevant NVQ level 3 or equivalent skills
Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
- Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
- Experience running groups/activities
- Experience working as part of a team
- Experience of being supervised
Sussex Partnership NHS FT is committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our communities. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black and Minority, Ethnic and disabled communities and we would welcome applications from these communities.
We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children's social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people. It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role.
Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
