Therapy Support Worker

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1.As a member of the Therapy team, information must be shared confidentially. Confidentiality policy must be adhered to at all times

2.Carry out Therapy treatments with patients in their own homes, Residential or Nursing Homes, or during their admission to Tavistock Hospital, as directed by the Therapists.

3.To provide treatment/support to patients within the context of the post

4.To prioritise workload appropriately and reinforce all improvements, successes and achievements, supported by relevant and accurate information.

5.Deliver, collect and instruct in the use of equipment for patients as part of their treatment plan.

6.Obtain information from patients regarding relevant interests, skills, abilities and concerns. Liaise with the therapist as appropriate.

7.Work with groups and individual patients using a range of treatment and interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy and good observational skills in order to assist an individual to achieve their potential/goals.

8.Develop a rapport with patients to encourage their interest and participation in activity/treatment programmes.

9.To observe general behavior, functional ability and response of patients and record the information liaising with the supervising therapist.

10.Review patients progress seeking supervision as necessary.

11.Maintain high standards of care at all times.

12.To liaise with the multi-disciplinary team and other agencies involved in the patients care.

13.To keep accurate and timely patient records on SystmOne using standardised formats.

14.Maintain clinical caseload when therapist absent, seeking assistance when required.

15.To place the service user at the heart of the service provided

16.To participate in reviews / case conferences of individual patients and contribute to the evaluation of their progress and development of their goals

17.Identify potential risks in moving and handling of patients and act in a way that minimizes risk.

18.To assist in ensuring falls risks are identified and minimized when working with patients who are at risk of falls.

19.Respect at all times that they are acting as a visitor in the patients own home.

20.Understand their own limitations, responsibilities and accountabilities.

21.Respect the patients privacy, dignity, wishes and beliefs and minimizing any unnecessary discomfort at all times.

Organisational

1.Be responsible for the maintenance checks of equipment and assessing the need for new items.

2.To report defects in equipment, taking action to ensure such equipment is withdrawn from service.

3.Be responsible for material stock and maintenance stock levels. Order equipment from the Community Equipment Service.

4.To assist in the collection, maintenance and dissemination of statistical data.

5.Comply with policies concerning infection control.

6.Should be aware of, and follow, the Health and Safety at Work Act and local/national guidelines.

7.Car driver/ability to travel across a rural locality with limited public transport.

8.To participate in appraisal and clinical supervision as required by the service.

9.To take advantage of learning opportunities as identified in the individual staff review with the Line Manager

10.To attend mandatory and other training opportunities, as required by the post.

11.To facilitate learning in others and contribute to compiling resources essential for the development of the post

12.To undertake other reasonable duties that might be considered appropriate by the General Manager or Therapy Manager this would be in consultation with the post holder.

13.To adhere to the Lone Working Policy and ensure procedures are adhered to.

14.To understand how to apply changes in legislation, policies and procedures.

KEY RESULT AREAS

Responsibility for ordering equipment and ensuring that the stores are equipped.

Responsible for maintaining accurate records of work and statistics.

COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Interact and communicate with patients, relatives, carers appropriately and effectively and demonstrate positive behaviour and body language.

Communicate effectively with patients or carers who may have a physical / mental impairment e.g. hearing/visual loss, dementia, post stroke.

The post holder will be expected to communicate appropriately with professionals within their daily working e.g. Members of the Rehabilitation Team, Social Care Team, Management Team, Hospital Matron and Ward Staff, District Nursing Team, General Practitioners, Equipment Services, Secondary care, Independent and Voluntary Services.

MOST CHALLENGING PART OF JOB

It is expected that this will be identified as part of the appraisal process. However, the post holder will have to expect to be involved in frequent difficult discussions with patients and carers some of whom are seriously unwell. Communication in such situations is extremely challenging.

Working as part of a large team, there can often be requests from various different professionals, therefore it is important that the postholder can appropriately manage their caseload and has good communication skills.

Physical Effort

Essential

• Ability to carry out manual handling tasks as directed by the overseeing Therapist
• Ability to issue and demonstrate equipment which has been prescribed to the patient.
• Physical effort and dexterity to perform physical treatment and therapeutic handling
• Able to carry out treatment programmes with patients who have severe physical, psychological, cognitive, behavioural or sensory impairment, which requires frequent moderate physical effort on a daily basis e.g. moving equipment, handling heavy body parts. This may include several short periods of static postures e.g crouching, kneeling, twisting, bending or stretching

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ 3 in Health related subject
• or
• Evidence of skills and experience to work at this level
• Demonstrate commitment to further learning and development

Desirable

• Previous experience working as
• a Therapy Support Worker, Health
• Care Assistant or in a carer role.
• Evidence of continued professional development

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of multi-disciplinary working
• Knowledge and experience of Therapy Services
• Understanding of Team dynamics and ability to work as a team member
• Basic knowledge of National Guidelines and Legislation relating to Health & Social Care, and their impact on service provision
• Evidence of ability to undertake relevant clinical skills

Personal Attributes & Abilities

Essential

• Motivated
• Ability to work in a team and alone
• Reliable
• Competent listening and observational skills
• Compassionate
• Ability to empower others

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of working within health/social care
• Ability to use own initiative but knows when to seek guidance
• Ability to accurately feedback and act on observations
• Previous experience of working with people with physical disabilities

Desirable

• Previous experience of working with Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists in a rehabilitation setting
• Evidence of training in Physical Disabilities

Skills

Essential

• Ability to motivate and encourage patients with a range of personalities
• Ability to travel to various settings to work with patients, attend meetings or attend trainings
• Commitment to lifelong learning
• Ability to work under pressure and support other team members under stress
• Ability to use initiative and work autonomously, but knows when to seek guidance
• Ability to work single handed as required
• Ability to problem solve
• Willing to take part in training and clinical supervision
• Good Time Management Skills
• Has competent listening and observational skills
• Effective written, oral and electronic communication skills

Desirable

• Evidence of training in Information Technology
• Ability to meet the driving needs of the post and have access to a suitable vehicle for work use

Emotional Effort

Essential

• Empathetic and able to manage difficult or emotional situations
• Able to work alone on occasions and in various
• community settings
• To deal sensitively with patients and relatives who have a high level of distress, anxiety or aggression that may be caused by pain, behaviour, cognition or physical impairment
• Supporting palliative patients and their carers

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).