Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Activity Co-ordinator
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Job Overview
Under the guidance of a registered Occupational Therapist (OT) and Ward Manager, you will be expected to assist in the delivery of recreational activities within the service.
Activities will be delivered one to one and through group work and may include creative, social and physical activities, the majority of which will be on the ward environment. We are looking for someone who can work flexibly; as well as working weekdays, you will also be required to work early evenings and weekends.
Ideally, you will have experience in mental health and have excellent problem solving, communication, and organizational skills. You will also be instrumental in ensuring the service provides therapeutic benefit to all patients through meaningful activity, positive engagement, and trauma-informed approaches.
As part of the multi-disciplinary ward team (MDT), you will be developing intervention pathways and expanding our support for people from admission to discharge from the ward.
Main duties of the job
- To liaise with the ward MDT and the therapies team in the planning of recreational activities.
- To lead on recreational activities, working with groups of patients and patients on their own.
- Prepare craft and any other appropriate equipment before patients arrive.
- Maintain stocks of appropriate supplies for use in the activities provided; informing the ward manager of any shortages of stock or equipment needed.
- To develop rapport with patients to encourage their interests and skills, and actively involve them in deciding and planning their participation in activities.
- To be aware of individual patients’ needs through communication with Occupational Therapy and ward MDT.
- To liaise with the wider multi-disciplinary team, including nursing, psychiatry, physiotherapy, and dietetics, in order to encourage collaboration with the therapeutic timetable.
- To look for opportunities to add volunteers to the group programme and provide guidance and support for volunteers to enable them to deliver activities effectively.
- To observe general behavior, ability, and response of patients to activities.
- To have an awareness of the situations that may make patients vulnerable or at risk.
- To report any concerns immediately to qualified staff.
- To respect patients' choices and confidentiality at all times.
- To record interventions in an agreed format.
- Any other tasks delegated by qualified staff as appropriate to grade and experience.
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Working for our organisation
Valuing you. Recognizing your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
- Receive supervision and support to help you fulfill your potential.
- Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
- If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice, and counseling.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
- Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
- Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
- £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
- Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
Work that wraps around your needs
Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Please be aware that, due to current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are being prioritized for registered roles at this time.
Important note: Please ensure that as part of your application, you include professional references with business contact information covering your last three years of employment history. We are unable to accept personal or character references.
As a newly appointed employee, you are responsible for incurring the cost of your initial DBS check relevant to your post; the amount will be deducted from your first salary with the Trust.
Our Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We particularly welcome applications from people with experience of using mental health services. We also hold the Disability two tick symbol and have made the pledge to commit to employing more people with learning disabilities; we encourage people with a disability to apply. If you require this application form in another format, i.e., Braille or audio tape, etc., please contact the Recruitment Department on 01375 364513 or email epunft.recruitment.adverts@nhs.net, and we can arrange for this to be dispatched to you.
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The Trust has the right to expire vacancies prior to the closing date if they so wish. The Trust makes every attempt to contact all applicants, and we strongly advise that you check the email account registered with NHS Jobs regularly. However, due to the high number of applications we receive, if you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to robust safer recruitment processes.
Important Notice: Recently the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) which amended on 22 July 2021 and came into force on 11 November 2021, anyone directly employed to work in a Care Home or who are required as part of their role to be deployed to a CQC registered care home are required to have had both their COVID vaccinations, unless they are exempt. This is therefore a requirement of this role and will form part of our pre-employment checks.
Please note - staff who are formally at risk within the organization will be given priority in securing alternative employment. Should it come to light that a post being advertised by the Trust is considered ‘suitable alternative employment’ to an individual who is at risk, the recruiting manager will be advised, and the post will be withdrawn from NHS Jobs.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programs are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
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