Rapid Response Support Worker

The post holder is employed by Livewell Southwest (LSW) and sits with the South Hams and West Devon RRCS. They will provide short term care and support to individuals in crisis, at their place of residence, without which would mean an admission to the acute hospital setting. The RRCS Support Worker will carry out their role as directed by the key worker. A written care or service plan in a range of environments will be specified.

The post holder will work under the guidance of specific professionals including district nurses, care managers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, community psychiatric nurses and general practitioners. The Post Holder: 1. Is a member of the South Hams and West Devon RRCS and is attached to a Community IC team working over a 7 day pattern. 2.

Will deliver support and personal care to patients identified after an outcome lead care plan carried out by a relevant professional. Will work as a generic support worker undertaking specific tasks to support patients receiving RRCS. The job holder will be required to work alone with patients in various settings in the community without direct supervision. Will take a holistic approach to patient management, carry out tasks and treatment plans as directed by senior IC staff.

To feed back to the appropriate IC worker and maintain accurate clinical records. Will contribute to the development, provision and review of care programmes Will liaise with other health, social or voluntary care services and agencies to ensure identified patient care needs outside the scope of the team are met. Will be accountable to the case manager, who will be one of the outlined professionals, and will be clearly tasked for each individual case. Will support patients with achieving RRCS goals within their prescribed length of stay.

Will annually identify written personal objectives with the RRCS supervisor / Manager. May need to change base, within the localities, in order to meet the needs of the service or Livewell SouthWest. Will need to be able to drive and have access to a roadworthy Primary duties and responsibilities The post holder will be responsible for the management of their caseload. The post holder will be responsible for the management of their caseload.

They are to meet targets/objectives in relation to an individuals care plan as agreed and in conjunction with the Rapid Response Manager, intermediate care services co-ordination centre or the relevant case manager. To provide a flexible service; this will include evening and weekend work. Maintain case records in respect of individual service delivery, which comply with Livewell Southwests policies and guidelines. Make links with local community resources and networks Provide information and advice on how to access services that will benefit the health and wellbeing of individuals.

To contribute towards ensuring a safe working environment for self and others and report on situation of potential risk To be conversant and compliant with LSW policies and procedures relating to clinical governance and that their requirements, along with nationally recognised professional standards, are incorporated within clinical practice. Ensure that LSWs policies and procedures relating to health and safety at work are understood and implemented. To move and handle patient in line with LSW training and policy. Clinical To undertake specific clinical tasks as delegated by the RRCS coordinator or members of the IC / RRCS having once undertaken relevant training and deemed competent.

These will include personal care, baseline observations and investigations, simple wound care and oversight of medication administration eg: prompting from blister packs, applying TED stockings, administrating ear/eye drops. To carry out multi-disciplinary treatment plans on behalf of the team incorporating elements of all disciplines treatments as delegated and taught by those professions within the team. Only undertake work which is within own competence and to identify any work required to be undertaken by more senior staff. To seek advice and supervision from the RRCS senior worker, IC team or community hospital professional as necessary to ensure appropriate patient management and care.

To recognise and respond to any changes in patient care situations, which might include risks to self and others including adult and child protection concerns. The post holder must inform the most appropriate professional at the earliest opportunity to raise safeguarding alerts in line with LSW procedure. To support and encourage patients, their relatives and carers in an active approach to regaining and maintaining maximal functional independence. To work closely with other RRCS colleagues and IC team to ensure patients identified goals are met.

To prescribe basic equipment and minor adaptions under prescribers guidelines and with guidance, where required, from a senior therapist. To comply with LSW policies on the testing and maintenance of equipment. To be aware of, and act upon, LSW health and safety policies, including the prompt recording of any accident, incident, or other untoward event involving self, patients or other staff. To undertake any other duties considered reasonable and appropriate by RRCS manager during working hours.

To contribute to RRCS service development. To contribute in audit and clinical governance activities. Management and Leadership To manage your day following allocation of visits from the RRCS coordinator. This may involve booking follow up appointments, joint visits, etc.

directly with patients, relatives, carers, colleagues etc. This requires a high level of time management and organisational skills. To be responsible for using own initiative and be flexible when organising own workload on a day to day basis, which is often unpredictablein order to respond to the needs of the service. To plan visits in such a way as to make best use of own and others resources such as time, skills and expertise, as well as mileage.

This requires a high level of time management, networking and organisational skills. To undertake clerical duties this may include ordering of stores and stationery, storage of patient records, photocopying, shredding of paper, maintenance and monitoring of equipment. Monitoring and ordering of stock levels and to utilise resources economically and effectively and promote cost consciousness throughout the service. To participate in team activities so as to develop and consolidate a cohesive and supportive team ensuring openness within the team.

To take a flexible approach to supporting colleagues in times of caseload pressure, including working with colleagues to maintain support across the team within the resources available. Education To maintain your clinical competencies through mandatory training and external training opportunities where appropriate. To undertake Clinical Supervision in line with LSWs supervision policy. To participate in the LSW staff Appraisal Scheme including the formulation of Personal Development Plans.

To actively participate in personal development training needs. To participate in promoting RRCS and provide planned and ad hoc training to other health and social care professions and agencies on the role of support worker in RRCS. To support new and less experienced members of all disciplines, both formally and informally, including students and placements with RRCS.