RTS Technical Instructor

Currently, the team is looking for people with good practical skills, ideally in gardening and/or woodworking. The rehabilitation of patients involves learning new skills and engagement in meaningful activities.

Staff who work in these areas enjoy working with people and understand that adults take time to learn new skills.

You will work with a minimum of three other staff in each session and assist patients in simple tasks that provide a sense of achievement.

In the wood crafts area, this could include constructing a bird box, jigsaw cutting, wood turning lathe, or pyrography engraving.

In the horticultural area, you could work with patients in the greenhouse or the allotment area on seeding, weeding, grass cutting, etc.

You will always work with two other staff who have a good knowledge of the patients, who primarily have a diagnosis of severe mental illness or personality disorder.

The post is face-to-face and practical in nature but does involve session notes and patient records.

Main duties of the job

The aim of the service is to engage, support, and develop patients as part of their recovery through meaningful therapeutic activities.

The RTS assistant would work as part of a close team to provide a wide range of activities that help patients develop work skills. These skills could include personal organization, time management, concentration on tasks, following instructions, or copying tasks.

These skills are developed through activities including wood craft skills, picture framing, professional publishing and printing, and gardening skills.

The staff in the assistant posts need to engage with patients and staff and support the work ability sessions. It is helpful to learn practical tasks easily and to be a good communicator.

About us

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from the South of England, and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow, and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.

The Trust is rated as 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.

The Trust is an established partner in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Job responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. Please view as attached.

The person specification below outlines the criteria against which your application will be assessed.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

• Good general education with 2 or more CSE, GCSE, or O' Levels.
• Relevant trade or skill NVQ, City and Guilds, BTEC.
• Nationally recognisable trade qualification or craft.
• Motivation and Engagement Training.
• Degree in a relevant area.
• Adult Education qualification - PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector).

Experience

• Experience of working with people in a workplace where practical skills are taught.
• Experience in an environment where people challenge each other.
• Experience working with others on implementing a new activity. Experience motivating and engaging people.
• Experience as a band 3 in a relevant patient care NHS post.

Knowledge

• Understanding of environmental risk factors in a workplace and with patients with mental illness.
• Understanding of people with severe mental illness.
• Knowledge of what a high secure hospital entails.
• Knowledge of wider NHS and Mental Health services.

Personal Qualities

• Able to engage with people from all backgrounds and cultures.
• Honest, non-judgmental, and compassionate.
• Able to work collaboratively and take direction.
• Proficient in using IT.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude towards change.
• Enquiring approach to skill development.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) will be necessary to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£31,081 to £33,665 a year per annum inclusive of allowances.