Job overview
The Inpatient Activity Coordinator assesses, plans, implements and evaluates programmes for patient activities which are multi-faceted, meet the patient’s functional needs, and reflect Interests of each patient.
The Inpatient Activity Coordinator works closely with occupational therapy team to deliver meaningful activity and identify occupational deprivation.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
• To assist with planning, organising and co-ordinating the ward activity programme, including the time-tabling and delivery of group and individual activities.
• Under the guidance of the ward manager and occupational therapist, to be autonomous in the planning and carrying out of specified group activities.
• To plan and deliver an activity programme for the patients on the ward
• To work closely with ward staff and therapy staff to develop partnerships to deliver appropriate activities
• To coordinate the delivery of activities to support the nursing and multi-disciplinary teams
• To lead on activities that will promote physical health and emotional well-being
Main duties of the job
To adopt a non-judgmental approach with the patients’ based upon respect and dignity
• To undertake therapeutic activity that is age appropriate, promotes inclusion, is valued and focuses on meaningful activity
• To be innovative in creating activities that are person centred and promote recovery.
To build therapeutic relationships with patients, relatives and carers to encourage their interest and participation in activities suited to their particular needs and interests
• To provide support to the ward manager and therapy staff, sharing knowledge and skills and engaging staff in supporting the ward activities programme
• To promote calendar related activities and events i.e. national holidays, patron saint days and other cultural dates
• To observe, monitor and record patient activity and health status as appropriate, communicating appropriately any change in condition to nursing staff
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
* Access to Continued Professional Development
* Involvement in improvement and research activities
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
• To communicate with patients’ in a way that respects their personhood, views, autonomy, culture and religious diversity
• To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicate sensitively with patients who have cognitive and mental health needs
• To work in collaboration with the nursing and therapy team to develop bespoke activities for individuals who demonstrate behaviours that challenge and require 1:1 or other close supervision
• To manage behaviours that challenge through the use of de-escalation and strategies whilst recognising own limitations and requesting support from other members of the team
• To support the delivery of life story work on the ward including ensuring this information informs activity planning
• To support patient discharge from the ward by providing verbal and written information on patient’s activities and engagement on the ward
• To be able to work autonomously to undertake specific individual and group sessions as agreed with the Senior OT/Ward Manager.
• To maintain up-to-date and accurate records of all interventions
• To participate in management and clinical supervision
• To adhere to the policies and procedures of the Trust and make comments regarding changes
• To ensure the safety, well-being and interests of patients, staff and visitors to the ward
• To complete activity recording
• To maintain the confidentiality of patients
• There will be occasions for the role to undertake aspects of the nursing assistant role should ward activity increase or to cover last minute staff sickness. This will be at the discretion of the senior OT/Nurse in Charge or the management team.
This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the
role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time.
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Willingness to undertake training specific to the role.
* Commitment to undertake continuing personal development
* NVQ Level 3, or equivalent short courses/experience, or a commitment to complete equivalent in-house training within 6 months of commencement of post
Desirable criteria
* Recovery Course trained
* NVQ level 3
Experience
Essential criteria
* Recent experience of working mental health service users in a supportive capacity Experience of delivering activities/groups Experience of working with a team within a health, social care or related setting
Desirable criteria
* Have experience of working in a wide range of Mental Health Service areas with a wide range of individuals with mental health problems.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Able to demonstrate a good understanding of Recovery principles and the application of these within both inpatient and community settings
* Able to demonstrate clinical competence in relation to observation of mental state and assessment of risk factors.
* Awareness of issues around social inclusion for mental health service users.
* Ability to acknowledge diversity and promote anti-discriminatory practice / equal opportunities IT skills for electronic record keeping
Desirable criteria
* Awareness of local public sector, voluntary and private sector services
* Awareness of community groups and organisations that provide and promote social inclusion.
* Knowledge of Mental Health Act
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Ability to work independently in a range of settings.
* Ability to listen and communicate effectively at all levels with all disciplines including service users.
* Proven written and verbal communication skills to enable completion of records.
* Ability to quickly form recovery-based therapeutic relationships with service users and carers.
* Ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging situations.
* Ability to assess, manage and reduce risks to service users within the inpatient setting and whilst in community settings prior to and following discharge.
* Effective workload management and personal organisation skills.
* Willingness to participate in and respond to supervision.
Desirable criteria
* Good IT skills
* Application of social and psychological interventions
* Ability to lead groups Creative, active, leisure or living skills that can be used with service users and carers
Work Related Circumstances
Essential criteria
* Able to travel, work weekends and unsocial hours, and work within a busy in-patient unit
* Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
Desirable criteria
* Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
📝 Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
We understand that some candidates may use AI tools to help prepare their application. This is not restricted, however, any AI support should only be used to enhance your own writing and must reflect your genuine skills and experience. You will be asked to talk about your application at interview. Applications that contain false or misleading information may be removed from the recruitment process.
We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.