Therapy Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Therapy Assistant provides essential support to the multidisciplinary therapy team, assisting in the delivery of high-quality patient care. This role involves implementing therapy programs under the guidance of qualified therapists, supporting patients in achieving their rehabilitation goals, and ensuring a safe and effective therapy environment.

Main duties and responsibilities

Professional

1. Prepare, carry out and monitor assessment, treatments and discharge within therapy/nursing for generalist palliative patients in line with predetermined department protocols.

2. Carry out and contribute to planned programmes of rehabilitation to meet individual patient and family circumstances related to communication, cognition, emotional and physical impairments of both generalist and specialist patients. Modify and progress interventions as and when required.

3. Prepare and develop individual/group activities for patients to meet defined intervention needs.

4. Use appropriate methods of communication with patients, families and carers in order to maximise rehabilitation and understand their conditions.

5. Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit and that the inputting of information into systems is completed concisely, accurately, and timely in line with service standards.

6. Provide basic equipment and be responsible for ensuring that it is used safely, following appropriate training, and that it is maintained. Contribute to the requisitioning of supplies and equipment through electronic ordering systems.

7. Support the transfer of care of patients process; assessment of need, ordering of equipment, home/ access visits as required to support a safe and supported transfer.

8. Complete and send therapy reports for packages of care.

9. Share responsibility for indirect patient contact tasks such as answering telephones, arranging appointments, processing referrals and inputting activity data.

10. Communicate to qualified staff issues relating to unexpected changes with patients, service shortfalls, potential risks and service pressures.

Education

1. Support the education programme by facilitating manual handing training to clinical teams so that staff are safe in their manual handling practice. Ensure it remains evidence based and in response to local practice / incidents.

2. Within scope of competence, support patient education to promote therapeutic outcomes.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience at Band 3 or equivalent working with Palliative care patients in a hospice/ healthcare setting
• Experience of supporting patients with a range of physical, cognitive, or communication difficulties
• Experience in assisting with therapy programmes or rehabilitation exercises under supervision
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team environment
• Experience with patient assessment tools or outcome measures

Desirable

• Knowledge of health and safety procedures, manual handling and infection control
• Understanding of basic anatomy, physiology, and common health & palliative care conditions

Personal

Essential

• Compassionate, patient-centred approach to care
• Reliable, punctual, and professional in all interactions
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet patient and service needs
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professional standards

IT

Essential

• Good basic IT skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook)

Desirable

• Familiarity with electronic patient records and documentation procedures

Communication

Essential

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with patients, families, and colleagues either verbally or written
• Good observational skills and ability to provide feedback to therapists

Desirable

• Formal Communications qualification

Other Requirements

Essential

• Be prepared to assist with Hospice fundraising activities

Desirable

• Vehicle owner with full UK driving licence

Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum of Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or equivalent or willingness to undertake the training
• Completion of relevant therapy assistant training (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech & language therapy support modules)

Desirable

• NVQ Level 3 in a therapy-related discipline
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD)
• Care Certificate
• Level 2 English & Maths
• Basic Life Support (BLS) / First Aid certification

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

Employer details

Employer name

St Leonard's Hospice

Address

St. Leonard's Hospice

185 Tadcaster Road

York

North Yorkshire

YO24 1GL

Employer's website

https://www.stleonardshospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)