962b
THELEEDS TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS TRUST
JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
1JOB DETAILS
Job Title:Youth Support Coordinator
Reports To: Nurse Consultant
Accountable To: Matron
Grade: Band 5
Unit/Department: Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Service
Location: Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust
Date:January 2014
2JOB PURPOSE
To provide and lead a wide range of appropriate recreational activities to enable young people aged 13-24yrs to develop cognitive, social and emotional skills throughout the Haematology and Oncology trajectory. To participate in the Multi-disciplinary team using specific skills to contribute to the care and understanding of the young people, their families and carers. To ensure the ward environment is young people friendly and stimulating. To encourage and help to develop a peer group network of support. To supervise and mentor other play staff and students as required.
This post is funded by Teenage Cancer Trust.
3JOB DIMENSIONS
To ensure that appropriate activity and recreational equipment is safe and appropriate for the age/developmental stage of each young person.
To source, advise and purchase recreational resources to meet the needs of the 13-24 yrs age group.
To work across Paediatric, Adolescent and Adult Oncology services taking referrals from the clinical staff within the Teenage and Young Adult Service.
Working with external agencies to provide appropriate activities both within hospital and the community to meet the needs of this patient group.
4ORGANISATIONAL CHART
Head of Nursing, Children
Teenage Cancer Trust Nurse Consultant
Youth Support Coordinator
5KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Qualifications
Graduate in either Diploma or Degree qualification in either Psychology, Youth Studies or Social Science.
Experience
Experience of working with young people from a variety of backgrounds in either a Health care setting or a youth or community setting.
Training
Willing to undergo further training within areas appropriate to this field of practice.
Special Knowledge
Insight into role and responsibilities of post.
Effects of hospitalisation/illness on the young person, family and peers.
The development of young people.
Disposition/Attitude
Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Young people focussed.
Committed to working with young people and their families.
Sense of humour.
Insight into the pressure experienced by Adolescents and young people.
An affinity with young people.
Practical Skills
Good interpersonal skills.
Effectively communicate with adolescent and young people, families and team members.
An understanding of cultural differences.
Basic Computer Skills.
Leadership Qualities.
6CORE VALUES
Respect the contribution of all members within the team and the importance of working together to provide patient care.
Commitment to contributing to a quality service in an efficient and effective manner.
Commitment to ensuring each person is entitled to respect, dignity, equal and human rights.
Recognises the importance of confidentiality.
7 CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
Personal :
- Flexible.
- Caring.
- Motivated.
- Sense of Humour.
Communication:
- Good Communication Skills.
- Able to work on own initiative and plan own work.
- Literacy.
- Numeracy.
- Verbal, non verbal.
Responsibility to others:
- Empathetic.
- Reliable.
- Trustworthy.
- Adaptable.
Safety:
- Friendly andapproachable.
- Care of environment.
- Moving and handling.
- Fire and evacuation.
- BLS.
- Child protection.
- Food hygiene.
8 CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
- Principles of infection control.
- Customer Relations.
- Maintaining a safe environment.
- Maintaining an environment that is young person centred.
- Knowledge and understanding of adolescent behaviour and development.
- Knowledge and understanding of the importance of recreation whilst in hospital.
- Knowledge of family dynamics.
- Knowledge of the needs of the hospitalised young person.
- Knowledge of risk assessment for projects and events.
9PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Working alongside the young people, using either questionnaire or discussion establish the needs of this patient group to be done every 3 months.
Using these results work closely with the Teenage Team in establishing an appropriate environment throughout the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit.
To provide and lead recreational facilities and activities for the teenagers and young adults on the Teenage Cancer Trust Units and other ward areas on a daily basis.
Ensure appropriate recreational materials and equipment are made available for the teenagers and young adults within the ward area and outpatient departments daily.
Encourage and supervise the interaction of adolescents with activities, with particular emphasis on group work and using motivational approaches where appropriate 3 times a week.
To devise and develop ways in which peer group support can be achieved.
Prepare young people for invasive and non-invasive medical procedures, using distraction techniques, activity, and educational strategies (weekly).
Ensure the appropriateness of available resources to be updated every quarter.
Work with young people to prepare them for specific activities and treatment plan (weekly).
To coordinate and supervise social support network and therapeutic support group used to encourage social interaction and offer support in order to aid adjustment to disease and hospitalisation. Encourage sibling and peer support within this group.
To attend other units where young adults with cancer may be cared for within the Cancer Centre and Cancer Network, and provide a link with the Teenage Cancer Unit where applicable.
To participate in fundraising process including suggestions for fundraisers, proposals of contributions to the ward and accepting donations at charitable events every quarter. Work alongside Teenage Cancer Trust and actively promote the charity.
To keep accurate records of financial outgoings and donated income for charitable trust to be monitored throughout the year.
Responsibility for ordering supplies and equipment as appropriate.
To ensure recreational and craft equipment is continually maintained on a weekly basis.
To supervise unqualified staff such as play specialist students and volunteers. Contribute to a learning environment for students and provide mentoring when required.
To coordinate creative and therapeutic activities and implement a range of strategies, liaise with complementary therapies, music workshop, community, youth theatre groups to contribute these strategies.
To keep records of the numbers and types of patients receiving recreational services/input.
To attend unit meetings e.g. ward rounds, staff support regularly on a weekly basis. To participate in a range of multidisciplinary meetings both within the trust and outside agencies regular.
To act as contact for the Teenage Cancer Trust and media and guide and support patients through media processes.
Encourage activities to maintain and promote patients link with family and home.
To observe patients and report any relevant information to multi-disciplinary team.
To provide an age appropriate environment in which young people can remain stimulated.
To assist teenagers to develop links and contacts with other young people with cancer in Teenage Cancer Trust Units and other wards around the UK and internationally.
To be involved with other Youth Support Coordinators in the UK, working alongside other professionals to offer an alternative view to working with young people.
Initiating understanding and using Risk Assessments within project work on the ward and in the community.
Initiate, plan, co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate work which broadens access to social activities for young people.
To be part of the Social Committee and participate in the organisation of the annual Teenage Cancer Trust Conference for young people, being a Youth Support Coordinators Spokesperson alongside other National YSCs.
To develop joint or collaborative projects with similar services, organisations, and other agencies and communities eg, youth services, youth theatre, schools and youth groups.
To develop and maintain in a close working relationship with people from the community as well as with these involved in other elements of the Units work.
Health and Safety/Risk Management
All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Polices, including Health and Safety polices, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting System.
Infection Control
The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teachings Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.
Equality and Diversity
The jobholder must comply with all polices and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.
Patient and Public Involvement
The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback.
Training and Personal Development - Continuous Professional Development
The job holder must take responsibility, in agreement with his/her line manager, for his/her own personal development by ensuring that continuous Professional development remains a priority. The job holder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.
Respect for Patient Confidentiality
The job holder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.
11COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIP
- Nursing Staff.
- Allied Health Professions.
- Facilities Staff.
- Medical Staff.
- National Teenage Cancer Trust.
- Community Groups.
- Youth Group.
- School Group.
- Youth Centre/service.
- Theatre Arts Groups.
- Recreational Centres.
12SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Exposure to unpleasant or hazardous working conditions:
Patients with infections
Distressed or angry patients and their families
May be working on the ward when a difficult situation arises i.e. death of a young person.
Physical Effort:
- Moving equipment on all shifts.
- Accompanying medical/nursing staff during medical procedures Weekly.
- Setting out the days activities on every shift.
- Preparing food for parents.
- Accompanying young people to different department in the absence of parent Monthly.
- Cleaning and maintenance of recreational equipment daily.
- Providing activity and stimulation in a young people friendly settings eg: floor, bed, ball pool, small multi sensory room.
Mental Effort:
- Planning programmes of activity designed to meet each individual’s developmental milestones, predominantly for those in hospital for long or separated periods of time weekly.
- Liaise with various agencies to develop relationships with the different centres. Create collaborative projects, on a daily basis.
- Initiating understanding and using riskassessments within project work on the ward and in the community twice monthly.
Emotional Effort:
- Dealing with the angry/aggressive patients daily.
- Planning distraction for young people requiring medical intervention on a weekly basis.
- Working with life limiting life threatening and terminally ill on a daily basis.
- Preparing young people for death on a monthly basis.
- Encouraging peer support weekly.
13JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Jobholder’s Signature: …………………….……….. … Date:………….
Head of Department’s Signature……………………….. Date: ……….…..
Head of Department’s Job Title: ……………………………………………..
Staffside representatives signature (where appropriate) Date:……………..
Experience / Working with young people from a variety of backgrounds for a minimum of 2 years / Working in a healthcare setting / Application form/interview
Qualifications / Diploma in either psychology, Youth Studies or Social Science / Degree Qualification / Application form/interview
Training / Willing to undergo further training / Application form/interview
Special Knowledge / The development of adolescents / The effects of hospitalisation on a young person / Interview
Behaviours / Capable of lateral thinking
Able to work as part of a multi-professional team
An affinity with young people
Sense of humour / Interview
Practical Skills / Good interpersonal skills
An understanding of cultural differences
Basic Computer Skills
Leadership qualities
An ability to organise and prioritise own workload / IT Skills / Application form/interview
Other Requirements / Able to fulfil occupational health requirements for the post / Occupational Health screening