As part of the wider Older Peoples Mental Health Services an opportunity has arisen for a mental health support worker to join the Older Peoples Community Mental Health Memory Assessment Service.

This award winning team is based at The Meadows within the borough of Stockport. The service provides a resource into a variety of settings to support a range of disciplines from health, social care and the third sector in order provide mental health liaison to meet the mental health needs of patients.

The team is looking to recruit a support worker with experience working in Mental Health Services. We will also consider applicants with limited mental health experience but who are willing to develop skills and participate in learning because of a special interest in the area of mental health.

Following a re-organisation of community and crisis services in the Stockport borough an exciting opportunity has arisen for Mental Health Support workers to work alongside qualified Mental Health Nurses to support the crisis tier in providing collaborative care for individuals who have developed or who are experiencing an exacerbation of mental health symptoms as a result of physical health or social change.

The role includes providing timely mental health assessment, care planning and working effectively within a multi-agency team to prevent acute hospital admission and to ensure the individual’s mental health needs are supported effectively.

You will work under the direction of the team but be able to work without direct supervision in implementing plans of care.

You will provide direct care to service users in order to support individuals who are in crisis as a result of physical health or social status change which is directly or indirectly impacting on the individual’s mental health.

The role also includes communicating and supporting wider health and social care professional groups to model effective approaches to care when supporting individuals with mental health needs.

We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.

Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.

All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.

If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:

Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.

Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance

Access to Continued Professional Development

Involvement in improvement and research activities

Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service

Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel

The post holder will be expected to work within the Memory Service and offer support to the clinical team. A key role of the Support Worker will involve supporting the diagnosis clinics and ensuring a point of contact following diagnosis.
The role will provide a link between the Memory clinic, patient and other external providers to ensure a consistent care delivery and assist in accessing services as needed, making referrals as required.
Contribute to the understanding and knowledge the patient and carer have around dementia to assist them following diagnosis.
Attend and participate in team meetings and group clinical supervision as well as individual Managerial supervision
Support the MH practitioners within the Memory Clinic process and with cognitive assessments such as Addenbrooks.
Support the development of the post diagnosis pathway and facilitate group sessions as required.
Main Duties & Responsibilities

• To support the patients and carer in clinic following diagnosis and assist in the care planning and signposting as needed.
• To work within the limitations of the post seeking help and advice when unsure or any unmet need or risk and reporting concerns to a qualified member of staff/ line manager.
• To be able to offer appropriate advice to carers and patients to reduce distress and promote wellness in Living with Dementia.
• Contribute to the development of the Memory assessment and post diagnosis pathway.
• Increase understanding of Dementia/ MCI. Receive training in areas within the limitations of the role on areas such as CST and treatments.
• Assist in the organisation and suitability of post diagnosis groups.
• Contribute and assist in the post diagnosis sessions on offer from the memory clinic.
• Contribute to the discharge planning.Understanding and use of Patient EPR such as PARIS. Be able to document clear and concise case notes.
• Assist in any Audits or data collection directly related to MAS.
• Develop and review resources for patients and carers that can be given at the point of diagnosis.
• To show high level of competency in communication and autonomy.
• Work collaboratively with the wider MDT.
• Adhere to Trust/Borough policies, procedures and guidelines.
• To attend mandatory training sessions
• To participate in regular monthly supervision sessions and annual appraisals.
• To participate in regular clinical supervision.