PKAVS

Perth & Kinross Association of Voluntary Service Ltd

“Making the Difference”

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job TitleHOSPITAL LINK WORKER – CARERS SERVICES

Salary£21,111 per annum (pending review)

Hours of Work35 hours per week (may include some unsocial hours)

Responsible To PKAVS Carers Services Manager

LocationPerth Royal Infirmary – Hospital Discharge Team

Fixed-termThis post is fixed-term for a period of 1 year

THE ORGANISATION

Perth & Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS) is a diverse charity that supports the community of Perth & Kinross through a number of services in the areas of Carers; Mental Wellbeing; Minority Communities and Community Engagement.

PKAVS provides a supply of information, advice and resources to the community of Perth & Kinross, as well as supporting, advising and representing the local Voluntary and Community Sector through its role as the local Third Sector Interface. Through its diverse activities, PKAVS helps over 5,000 people in Perth & Kinross to enjoy a better quality of life every year.

Job Purpose
To support carers by providing information, by sign posting to other agencies and carrying out outcome focused carer assessments and reviews in partnership with carers. This will include multi-disciplinary working in both a hospital and community setting.

Main Accountabilities

  • To identify carers during the inpatient period of treatment of the person they will be caring for
  • To developoutcome focused support plans for carers within Eligibility Criteria and Operational Guidelines, using professional, sensitive and flexible methods and skills.
  • Co-ordinate and negotiate with care providers regarding the agreed carer support plan.
  • To develop collaborative working practices with all key partners and Carers Link Worker within PKAVS to ensure carers have access to all areas of support.
  • Ensure that the individuality, personal dignity and confidentiality of carers and service users are respected at all times.
  • Create carer support plans that will encouragecarers to have a life of their own and be able to continue caring for as long as possible.
  • Offer information, advice and emotional support to enable the carers to care effectively.
  • Foster appropriate links with relatives, other carers, colleagues, service providers and agencies.
  • Maintain records manually and/or through the use of information technology.
  • Undertake appropriate training as directed by the Line Manager and co-operate with the introduction of new procedures and/or new technology systems.
  • Participate in team meetings, personal development and supervision, contributing to the development of the service by attending working groups and other forums as deemed appropriate.
  • Develop a working knowledge of appropriate resources and care providers.
  • Develop and sustain a working knowledge of Welfare Rights information.
  • Maintain up to date information on relevant legislation, policies, services and supports.
  • Be conversant with and adhere to the Scottish Social Services Council codes of practice and Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is broad based and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties as it is recognised that jobs change over time. Should the duties change radically then the post and salary level will be reviewed.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The post-holder shall be employed by Perth & Kinross Association of Voluntary Service Ltd (a registered charity in Scotland SC 005561).

This is a fixed-term post for a period of 1 year.

An enhanced check through PVG Scheme (Protecting VulnerableGroups) will be required.

At times there will be a need to work in the evenings and on weekends. Flexible hours will be implemented.

Annual leave entitlement is 25 days per annum during the first year of employment (time must be taken from this allocation to cover the mandatory Christmas/New Year shut down period), plus 8 public holidays. This rises to 27 days after the completion of two years’ service and 30 days per annum after three years’ service. In each case, time from these allocations must be used to cover the Christmas shut-down period. Leave year commences from date of employment. Continuation of service will apply to all PKAVS employees.

The post-holder will receive regular support and supervision with PKAVS Carers Services Manager.

There is a probationary period of 3 months.

PKAVS Ltd operates a Stakeholder Pension Scheme.

At present, a casual user’s car allowance is paid at the rate of 40p per mile.

Training – staff may make application to pursue appropriate training, for which the employer may pay up to half the cost, and to attend conferences and seminars relevant to their responsibilities.

Job descriptions are reviewed from time-to-time

CARERS HOSPITAL LINK WORKER – PKAVS CARERS SERVICES

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Core Requirements

Applicants should be able to demonstrate the following:

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications, KnowledgeExperience / Knowledge of issues specifically affecting Carers and of the range of resources available to support carers / Yes
Experience of working with Carers / Yes
Understanding of Equality & Cultural Diversity / Yes
Education to SVQ Level III or HNC in Social Care / Yes
You will have an understanding of the outcome focused assessment and reviewing process / Yes
Skills & Abilities / Excellent written and oral communication skills, including reporting skills / Yes
The ability to communicate and interact appropriate with service users, carers and professionals / Yes
Good organisational skills and ability to plan and prioritise your work load / Yes
An ability to work on your own initiative without close supervision / Yes
IT – high standard of literacy / Yes
Ability to work as part of a team / Yes
Driving licence / Yes