Job overview
Are you eager to work within a hospital environment?
Do you want to help our patients remain independent?
Do you want a job where you learn & develop?
The Independence Support Worker (ISW) is a hybrid role, encompassing skills of Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. The aim of the role is to focus on working with patients to maintain their pre-admission mobility, function and well-being.
ISWs facilitate patients to engage in activities such as: transfers, mobility, toileting, eating and drinking, washing & dressing, and reminiscence, all with a therapeutic mind-set. You will have a self-directed case load, with support from nursing staff and therapy staff available for guidance when required.
This is a developmental role, the successful candidate would commence initially in a band 2 position, progressing to band 3 following successful completion of; the support worker induction, the Care Certificate, Band 3 ISW competencies (within a 6-12 month time frame) and subject to the post holder demonstrating the ability to fulfil all aspects of the role with minimal clinical supervision. Those with previous experience in the NHS will still need to complete role specific ISW competencies.
For candidates that do not have GCSE (grade C/4 or more) or equivalent, if shortlisted for the job role, will attend a functional skills assessment consisting of a Math and English exam that needs to be passed before you can progress to an interview.
Main duties of the job
The Independence Support Worker (ISW) is a pivotal member of the multidisciplinary team, promoting a reablement and well-being ethos across all medical and/or orthopaedic and surgical wards.
The successful appointees will need to have good verbal and non-verbal communication skills and have the ability to adapt to the needs for a fast paced ward setting.
An ISW is expected to manage their own work load, as well as working collaboratively as a team member with the wider multi-disciplinary team when appropriate.
To undertake responsibility for establishing recent baseline function and social history of all patients admitted to the ward and documenting the information.
To ensure clarity of functional baseline is shared with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), in board rounds and in the medical notes.
To work closely with nursing and therapy staff and to relay all necessary information to allow timely interventions as required.
An ISW should understand and maintain confidentiality of patients at all times.
Once competencies are reached progression from band 2 to 3 will be achieved (signed off by the team lead and therapy service lead).
Please see job description and person specification provided. In your application, please include how your current skills and experience link to the Independence Support Worker role. If further information is required, please speak to our contact on advert.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical
A highly skilled support worker, assisting qualified therapists and nurses in the assessment, treatment, maintenance, and rehabilitation of patients admitted to the ward, in order to maximise their potential and reduce risk of deconditioning.
To be able to identify and extract relevant information accurately from the patient’s medical notes, admission paperwork, patient and carer information to ensure accuracy of recent functional status.
To inform, as able, patient and family understanding of the ISW role, gain valid informed consent and promote reablement and rehabilitation.
To monitor and analyse patient’s progress and behaviours during and following sessions. This necessitates the ability to record, understand and interpret clinical observations.
Where required, to conduct formal and direct functional assessments with therapy assistants or students, analysing and reporting findings to the relevant therapist.
To conduct clinical care and treatment with respect to individual patient’s dignity, privacy and cultural needs at all times.
To respect the diversity, values, cultural and religious beliefs of patients/families and to contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to those needs.
Communication
To use a wide range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients in order to carry out treatment programmes.
Able to persuade, negotiate and motivate patients to co-operate with their exercise programmes. Use tact and reassurance when dealing with patients, relatives and carers.
To provide and receive complex and/or sensitive information including information regarding progression or limitation to function and/or mobility and changes in social function. To communicate this information in an appropriate and sensitive manner to other physiotherapy staff and MDT members.
To maintain up-to-date, comprehensive and accurate patient records of assessment and treatment interventions in accordance with trust guidelines.
Organisational and Managerial
To plan and prioritise own daily activities (clinical and administrative) in liaison with the therapy and nursing/medical staff. Respond appropriately to changing circumstances that impact on delegated caseload and report back any difficulties to the qualified staff in a timely basis.
To remain flexible and respond to changing situations and priorities within the area and department.
To ensure that all patient records are filed accurately in the correct location & in a timely manner.
Record all statistics on a daily basis and collate all relevant worksheets on a weekly basis.
Education and Training
Participate actively in the hospital induction programme and in the departmental local induction.
Please see job description and person specification provided. If further information is required, please speak to our contact on advert.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Education to GCSE standard or equivalent (to include grade C/4 or more in English)
Desirable criteria
2. NVQ level 3 or equivalent
3. Care Certificate
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Experience and challenges of establishing working relationships with people
Desirable criteria
5. Experience as therapy assistant/HCA
6. Experience in health/social/care settings
Skills
Essential criteria
7. Ability and evidence of working in a team
8. Able to work independently
9. Ability to embrace equality & diversity by adjusting communication to meet the different needs of patients & families
Desirable criteria
10. Ability to communicate using alternative methods where there may be barriers to understanding
Knowledge
Essential criteria
11. Importance of maintaining confidentiality within a healthcare environment
12. Demonstrate an understanding of reablement and the role of the ISW
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.
If you have problems applying, contact
Address Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust
Lewsey Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU4 0DZ
Telephone 01582 497325