Job overview
Currently the team are looking for people with good practical skills ideally in gardening and or wood work skills. The rehabilitation of patients involves learning new skill and engagement in meaningful actives.
Staff who work in these areas enjoy working with people and are aware that people take time as adults to learn new skills.
You will work with a minimum of three other staff in each session and work with the patients in simple tasks which give a sense of achievement.
In the wood crafts area, this could be a construction of a bird box, jigsaw cutting, wood turning lathe or pyrography engraving.
If in the horticultural area you could be working with patients in the greenhouse or the allotment area on seeding, weeding, grass cutting etc.
You will always work with two other staff who have a good knowledge of the patients who have a primary diagnosis of server mental illness or personality disorder.
The post is a face to face job and is very practical in nature but does involve sessions notes and in patient’s records.
Main duties of the job
The aim of the service is to engage, support and develop patients as part of their recovery through engagement in meaningful therapeutic activities.
The RTS assistant would work as part of a close team of staff who work together to provide a wide range of activities which help patients develop work skills. These skills could be personal organisation and time management, concentration on a task, following instructions or copying tasks.
These skills are developed through a variety of activities including wood craft skills, picture framing, professional publishing and printing and gardening skills.
The staff in the assistant posts need to be able engage with patients and staff and support the process of the work ability sessions. It is helpful to have be able to learn practical tasks easily and to be a good communicator.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
1. Good general education with 2 or more CSE, GCSE or O’ Levels
2. To have a relevant trade or skill NVQ, City and Guilds, BTEC
3. To have a nationally recognisable trade qualification or craft.
Desirable criteria
4. Motivation and Engagement Training
5. Degree in a relevant area
6. Adult Education qualification – PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
Experience
Essential criteria
7. Experience of working with people in a work place where practical skills are taught.
8. Experience in working in environment where people challenge each other.
Desirable criteria
9. Experience at working with others on implementing a new activity. Experience motivating and engaging people
10. Experience as a band 3 in a relevant patient care NHS post.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
11. Understanding of the need to consider environmental risk factors in a work place and with patients with a mental illness
12. To have an understanding of people with a severe mental illness.
Desirable criteria
13. To have knowledge of what a high secure hospital is and what it entails.
14. Knowledge of wider NHS and Mental Health service
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
15. Able to chat to people of all backgrounds and cultures
16. To be honest, non- judgemental and companionate with all people
17. An ability to work with others and take direction.
18. To be able to use IT
19. Good time management skills.
Desirable criteria
20. Demonstrate a positive attitude to change
21. To have an enquiring approach to skill development.