An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead elements of our award winning Vulnerable Adult Support Team. We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced individual who will lead service delivery within the team's areas of responsibility, supporting patients and parents who attend with a range of psychosocial issues including domestic abuse, other assault presentations, substance use and homelessness. You will play a leading role in our liaison with hospital and community-based professionals, provision of continuing professional development and service improvement.

Our team is one of a kind offering a unique opportunity to work alongside expert clinicians to provide person-centred psychosocial interventions in the acute hospital setting. The work of our team has been described as 'outstanding' in two CQC inspections of the Trust (2015 and 2019) and our team won the 2018 national Nursing Times Award for Emergency and Critical Care. The service operates 7 days a week.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the 'Job Description and Main Responsibilities' section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

About us

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Job description

Job responsibilities

WHAT YOULL DO

You will lead elements of the Vulnerable Adult Support Team on a day-to-day basis, allocating patient care and providing expert support to less experienced practitioners. Your role will mostly be patient-facing and will comprise risk identification and assessment, information giving, signposting & referral to specialist & community services, as well as safeguarding of adult patients and their children. You will act as a patient advocate and will operate within a multi-agency framework. You will share your expertise regarding the management of psychosocial issues with clinical staff working within your areas of responsibility. You will undertake line management activities for the Band 4 practitioners, working under the supervision of the Band 7 mentor group lead. Alongside the professional lead for the service, you will facilitate continuing professional development for VAST practitioners and will undertake and/or supervise service improvement activities such as audit.
WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR
You will have undertaken specialist training and continuing professional development in the management of patients who are living with complex psychosocial issues.You will demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.You will have excellent organisational skills, both in the management of your own workload and in the supervision of others.You must be able to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Person Specification

Physical requirements of the post

Essential

• Health and physical abilities sufficient for the post (if necessary with reasonable adjustments with respect to the Equality Act)

Qualifications / training required

Essential

• As a minimum, to be educated to GCSE (or equivalent) standard, with a pass in English
• Degree or equivalent level of experience evidenced by professional portfolio of practice and completed competency document

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential

• Experience of working with patients with complex psychosocial needs in a client-focused health or social care role
• Experience of undertaking adult and child safeguarding referrals
• Excellent understanding of mental capacity, confidentiality and consent, when applied to working with vulnerable adults
• Has undertaken specialist training and continuing professional development in the management of patients who are living with complex psychosocial issues
• Experience of working within the emergency care environment

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Able to maintain records, using appropriate computer and manual files
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills
• Conscientious approach, attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise
• Able to manage own time and work independently

Desirable

• Computer skills, including use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Experience of managing rotas, annual leave, sickness for a team of staff
• Computer skills, including use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

VAST Team

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

188-NM4570