age UK north staffordshire
job description
JOB TITLE: Hospital Discharge Support Worker
SALARY: £7330 per annum
HOURS: 17½ hours per week (hours will be agreed with post-holder, but will consist of 3/4 days per week; will include alternate weekend working)
LOCATION: Based at University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS)
Working across North Staffordshire
RESPONSIBLE TO: Social Rehabilitation Team Lead, Age UK North
Staffordshire
Age UK North Staffordshire is committed to achieving equality of opportunity both in services to the community and in the employment of people and expects all employees to understand and promote its policies in their work.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
· Line management and supervision from Social Rehabilitation Team Lead (AUNS)
· Close liaison and working with the Team Manager (Social Care and Health) and with nominated Team Social Workers
job overview
The post-holder will work as a member of the Hospital Team comprising staff from health and social services which is responsible for ensuring the safe and timely discharge of patients from hospital in North Staffordshire.
The purpose of the post is to provide practical, emotional and social support to facilitate the assessment and safe and timely discharge of patients with ongoing health and social care needs. The post will be based in the hospital, but will include work in other settings including community settings at the direction of the Social Worker.
main responsibilities
1. To gather information and clarify patient circumstances, including discussion with ward staff, service user and their family and carers, to inform the assessment process.
2. To support the assessment of the patient by helping to identify patient need, decide on the extent of the assessment required and establish patient eligibility for services.
3. To assist in the co-ordination of specialist assessments as required.
4. To contribute to care planning meetings with staff from health and social services to decide the appropriate options to meet the service user’s assessed need.
5. In close collaboration with the service user and their family and carers, develop, negotiate and implement individual packages of care to meet assessed needs and maximise independence in a cost-effective way, offering choices wherever possible.
6. To ensure that the services provided are responsive to and sensitive to, social, cultural, linguistic and religious needs of service users in accordance with equal opportunities policy.
7. To provide information, make referrals to and advise the service user and their family and carers about any other services that may be available to support the service user to live independently, including any charges involved.
8. To assist service users in moves from one setting to another e.g. hospital to their own home.
9. To provide transport for, or assist, service user’s travel arrangements as required.
10. To undertake appropriate supervision, training, education and development as identified by Social Rehabilitation Team Lead and/or Team Manager.
11. To maintain records in accordance with policies and procedures and to work within guidelines, policies and procedures.
12. To preserve confidentiality in respect of users of the service.
13. To provide cross-cover for Hospital Discharge Support Worker colleagues during periods of absence as required.
14. To promote Age UK North Staffordshire positively at all times and to participate actively in organisational activities e.g. fund-raising, publicity events.
15. Any other duties appropriate to the role of Hospital Discharge Support Worker as required.
This Job Description will be reviewed annually and may be amended following discussion with the post holder, to take into account changes and developments.
MP / JB
June 2013
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post: Hospital Discharge Support Worker
Please ensure that you show how you meet the following requirements when completing your application form
FACTORS / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE / METHOD OF ASSESSMENTQUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
NVQ Level 2 (suitable category e.g. Care or Promoting Help) / P / A,C
Current driving licence and own transport (special arrangements can apply for people with a disability) / P / A
Good inter-personal skills including listening, information-gathering and communication skills. / P / A,I
Well-developed organisational and practical skills, and the ability to prioritise workload and to respond well to challenges / P / A,I
KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Experience of working with older service users / P / A,I
Experience of engaging with people with a wide range of health and social needs / P / A,I
Basic understanding of common mental health issues / P / A,I
Ability to maintain appropriate records / P / A,I
Ability and confidence in presenting information / P / A,I
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Ability to work on own initiative and also a positive team member / P / A,I
Commitment to the principles of supporting people with reablement needs to remain independent and achieve good quality of life in the community / P / A,I
Commitment to equal opportunities, anti-discriminatory practice and the principles of ‘recovery’ / P / A,I
Flexible, adaptable, enthusiastic and a sense of humour. / P / A,I
Method of assessment: A = Application Form I = Interview C = Certificate
MP/JB
June 2013