Therapeutic Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will spend time with patients individually and in groups, helping them manage distress, practise coping skills and take part in everyday activities. Working alongside the Psychology team, Occupational Therapy and nursing staff, you will help put agreed therapeutic plans into practice on the ward and in the community. You will report directly to the Ward Manager and work as part of the healthcare support team. Planned therapeutic work will be agreed with the psychologist (who will offer clinical supervision and guidance), Ward Manager and nurse in charge, alongside the care and safety needs of the ward. You will work within your training and competence, following each patient's care plan.

• Build trusting relationships with patients, taking time to understand their needs, preferences and ways of communicating.
• Use communication aids where needed.
• Support planned one-to-one sessions, therapeutic groups and activities, helping patients work towards goals agreed with the multidisciplinary team.
• Use calm, trauma-informed approaches to help patients manage distress.
• Follow agreed care plans to support coping skills, reduce self-harm and minimise restrictive practice.
• Support patients with meals and any associated distress where this is part of their care plan.
• Help patients take part in community activities and Section 17 leave, following leave authorisations, risk assessments and agreed staffing arrangements.
• Carry out allocated care and observations, noticing changes in presentation and reporting concerns promptly to the nurse in charge.
• Keep clear, accurate and timely records on EMIMS, including the work completed, the patient's response and any concerns or progress.

Job responsibilities

You will spend time with patients individually and in groups, helping them manage distress, practise coping skills and take part in everyday activities. Working alongside the Psychology team, Occupational Therapy and nursing staff, you will help put agreed therapeutic plans into practice on the ward and in the community. You will report directly to the Ward Manager and work as part of the healthcare support team. Planned therapeutic work will be agreed with the psychologist (who will offer clinical supervision and guidance), Ward Manager and nurse in charge, alongside the care and safety needs of the ward. You will work within your training and competence, following each patient's care plan.

• Build trusting relationships with patients, taking time to understand their needs, preferences and ways of communicating.
• Use communication aids where needed.
• Support planned one-to-one sessions, therapeutic groups and activities, helping patients work towards goals agreed with the multidisciplinary team.
• Use calm, trauma-informed approaches to help patients manage distress.
• Follow agreed care plans to support coping skills, reduce self-harm and minimise restrictive practice.
• Support patients with meals and any associated distress where this is part of their care plan.
• Help patients take part in community activities and Section 17 leave, following leave authorisations, risk assessments and agreed staffing arrangements.
• Carry out allocated care and observations, noticing changes in presentation and reporting concerns promptly to the nurse in charge.
• Keep clear, accurate and timely records on EMIMS, including the work completed, the patient's response and any concerns or progress.