Therapeutic Engagement Coordinator

Job overview

Are you passionate about delivering high-quality, person-centred care to patients with complex needs in an acute hospital environment?  Do you have the compassion, enthusiasm and resilience to support patients who require enhanced levels of care and therapeutic engagement? If so, we would love to hear from you.

An unique opportunity has arisen for a Therapeutic Engagement Coordinator to  join our dedicated and compassionate Enhanced Therapeutic Care and Observation (ETOC) Team at Derriford Hospital.

The Role of the Therapeutic Engagement Coordinator is multifaceted, encompassing the provision of high-quality therapeutic care, day to day deployment of ETOC support workers and supporting registered practitioners in the risk assessment, care planning and implementation of therapeutic activities to aid patients' recovery.

This is an exciting time to join the ETOC Team as the service is expanding and evolving, giving the post holder the opportunity to contribute to shaping the service moving forward.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

• Contribute to dynamic patient risk assessments and make recommendations to registered practitioners for individualised therapeutic care plans including activities to improve wellbeing and aid patient recovery, with consideration of least restrictive, person-centred and trauma-informed care principles.
• Coordinate and deliver person-centred therapeutic resources and activities for all patient groups across the trust to promote meaningful engagement and minimise deconditioning.
• Support registered practitioners in the day-to-day coordination, deployment and reallocation of enhanced care support workers across all clinical areas, being mindful of appropriate skill mix and proportionality of support / intervention.
• Provide a high standard of enhanced therapeutic nursing care both on a 1:1 basis or baywatch, across all clinical areas, including recognition of potential triggers, distraction and de-escalation techniques to contribute to MDT risk management and care plans.
• Support and assist enhanced care support workers in the provision of therapeutic care, responding rapidly to support crisis intervention and de-escalation where required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Therapeutic Activities and Engagement

• Contribute to dynamic patient risk assessments and make recommendations to registered practitioners for individualised therapeutic care plans, including activities to improve wellbeing and aid patient recovery, with consideration of least restrictive, person-centred and trauma-informed care principles.
• Work closely with colleagues from Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy to implement care and recovery plans involving physical exercises to minimise risk of deconditioning during admission.
• Support the coordination of ETOC therapeutic resources (busy boards, games, arts and crafts, mindfulness activities, electronic tablets and portable DVD players etc).

Clinical Care and Assessment

• Under supervision of registered practitioners, implement person-centred care plans for patients requiring enhanced observation, incorporating MDT led therapeutic interventions, environmental modifications and family involvement.
• Provide support to ward teams with complex enhanced care cases, including mental health presentations, challenging behaviours and safeguarding concerns.
• Implement de-escalation techniques and therapeutic communication approaches for patients experiencing distress, agitation or challenging behaviours.
• Monitor and evaluate patient responses to enhanced care interventions, escalating observations and concerns to registered practitioners in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
• Will work shifts as an Enhanced Care Support Worker to maintain skills and support wider delivery of care / break cover during periods of high acuity.

For further information please see attached job description