Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic Health Care Support Worker (HCSW), to join our Learning Disabilities Intensive Support Team (LDIST) in Swansea Bay University Health Board. This band 4 post is for the Cwm Taf Base

The Team currently covers the Swansea Bay area and Bridgend, however it is now being expanded to cover the whole of the Cwm Taf area and Cardiff and the Vale and will have two additional bases. 

The Learning Disabilities Intensive Support Team (LDIST) are a community team made up of experienced Nurses and Health Care Support Workers who operate a 7 day service, 8am-8pm weekdays and 9-5pm weekends and bank holidays to provide short term intensive support directly to where the service user needs it, e.g. their homes, day service, or school or virtually as required.

We aim to prevent unnecessary admissions to Acute Admission Units, expedite discharge, and prevent placement break downs for adult with Learning Disabilities who are experiencing episodes of Mental Health ill health or change in health needs which requires short term additional intensive support.

LDIST work in conjunction with the Community Learning Disabilities Teams (CLDT’S). Team members will be afforded the opportunity to work closely with other colleagues in the wider multi-disciplinary team, and will provide specialist expert advice and support to colleagues, families and carers in addition to the service users on the team’s collective caseload.

Main duties of the job

A positive can do attitude towards working with adults with learning disabilities experiencing episodes mental/ physical ill health and associated challenging behaviours in the community is required. 

Effective communication both verbally and in written form with the people we support and their families or carers, the multi-disciplinary team and other wider stakeholders s essential. The ability to overcome barriers to understanding that may be a result of a Learning Disability via adapted communication, reassurance, tact, empathy and out of the box thinking. Working in a variety of settings such as day service, school, home and group settings to undertake health observations and assessments and complete relevant record keeping.

Dedication and motivation is expected in order to independently manage their own work load in the absence of registered nurses, and undertake tasks delegated with appropriate supervision in place.

This post is for the Cwm Taf base , however there is an expectation to cover any of the other areas of LDIST as required. There will also be some occasional remote/home working. A full driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes is required in order for prompt and timely travel between settings some of which may be rural, to visit service users in a variety of settings, which includes lone working.

In return the Heath Board can offer high quality support and training for clinical roles and opportunities for professional development.

Working for our organisation

We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board.

As one of the biggest healthcare groups in the UK we can offer a wealth of professional training and development opportunities in an innovative, forward-thinking organisation.

You might be a nurse or doctor, maybe you specialise in a health science/therapy or can offer skills in one of our support services - we have a job for you.

There are also apprenticeships, work placements and volunteering roles available.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from everyone whatever their sex; religion or belief; race; age; sexual orientation; gender identity or, whether they are pregnant or have recently been on maternity leave, married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled. Our values - Caring For Each Other, Working Together and Always Improving, show that our commitment to equality is at the heart of everything we do.

If you want excellent career and training opportunities while living on the doorstep of some of Europe's most spectacular scenery, with all the benefits of a thriving and cosmopolitan city - look no further.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Person specification

Knowledge

Essential criteria

NVQ/QCF level 3 – plus demonstrable experience at level 4 Demonstrates an understanding of the role of band 4 HCSWs in the context of the nursing and interdisciplinary team and the organisation Demonstrates knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate registered professional for expert help and advice Demonstrates an understanding of the legislation related to Safeguarding e.g. adults/children and of the legislation relating to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards to keep adults within their care safe

Experience

Essential criteria

Clinical experience of working within a learning disabilities community or in patients setting Experience of working as part of a team

Aptitude and attitudes

Essential criteria

Ability to develop effective and appropriate relationships with service users, their families, carers and colleagues Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of workload and individual service user contact Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Ability to actively listen and communicate sensitive or difficult information in a clear and compassionate manner

Values

Essential criteria

Willing to seek out learning, give and accept constructive feedback and committed to continuous improvement. Shows resilience, adaptability and flexible approach as situations arise and positivity when times are tough.

Swansea Bay University Health Board is committed to supporting its staff and processes to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing service users experience. In our commitment to increase the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

Equality remains at the centre of the Health Boards policy-making, service delivery and employment practices. We value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from people from protected groups under the Equality Act 2010, this specifically includes age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion, disability, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Welsh language skills are desirable

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