Therapy Assistant Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL:

To work without direct supervision, but under direction of the qualified therapy staff in the performance of specific tasks for an individual or a group of patients as part of their treatment and rehabilitation programme. Duties may include:

• Implementation of exercise programme delegated by qualified Therapy staff.
• Assessment and review of patients undertaking exercise programmes and communication back to referring practitioner.
• Ongoing and advice and guidance to patients regarding physical activity and health promotion.
• Discharging patients.
• Carrying own case load of non-complex patients.

To undertake delegated duties without access to direct supervision.

To be involved in the training, development and supervision needs of assistants in therapy services.

To update patient records in a concise, accurate and timely manner in line with ECCH and service policies.

To be aware at all times of needs of patient during illness and disability and to promote and encourage independence and restoration of function.

To communicate effectively and efficiently with the physiotherapist and other members of the multi-professional team regarding changes in patient's condition and any other useful information.

To communicate efficiently and effectively with patients and carers to maximize the rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding of condition.

To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within the legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.

To maintain a portfolio evidencing ongoing competency and development for this role.

CLERICAL AND HOUSEKEEPING:

To undertake any clerical duties as necessary. These may include:

• Reception duties.
• Registration of patients.
• Making appointments.
• Filing.
• Dealing with telephone calls.
• Communicating effectively with patient carers, GP surgeries and other hospital staff.
• Writing discharge letters and reports.

Maintaining stock levels and ordering equipment.

Cleaning of equipment.

Preparation and tidying up of treatment areas.

To provide induction for the department for students and other non-clinical staff.

ORGANISATIONAL:

To attend organised training sessions including statutory / mandatory training and any other in-service training organised by the therapy teams appropriate to role.

To attend local team and staff meetings

To comply with the trust and service policies and procedures.

To be aware of the health and safety aspects of your work including recording and documentation of incidents and accidents.

To participate in the appraisal system and performance development plan.

Any other duties which may be considered appropriate by the qualified therapy staff and the professional therapy leads.

All roles within East Coast Community Healthcare CIC (ECCH) require staff to demonstrate our Values and Signature Behaviours in the care and service they provide to patients, service users, stakeholders and colleagues. All members of staff should consider these as an essential part of their job role.

Our Values outline the core behaviours that we can all achieve and are summarised as an acronym within the word CARE. These stand for: Compassion, Action, Respect and Everyone.

Underpinning our Values are our Signature Behaviours which highlight by taking the right actions we continue to build a strong culture. Our four Signature Behaviours are: Compassion - We Listen, We Learn, We Lead| Action - My Accountability, My Responsibility | Respect - Respect Our Resources: People, Time and Money | Everyone - Work Together, Achieve Together.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of basic musculoskeletal anatomy.
• Knowledge of basic mobility function.
• Communication skills.
• Organisation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to deal with older people.
• Persuasive skills.
• Motivation skills
• Computer skills.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• To be able to physically handle patients.
• Adopt long static postures.
• Mental capacity to deal with distressed patients.
• Physical / mental capacity to deal with patients with communication difficulties.
• Friendly cheerful attitude.
• Team working.
• Empathy towards clients and patient group.
• Flexible working.
• Willingness to learn new skills.
• The ability to travel across the community
• Ability to embrace our Culture, Values and Signature Behaviours:
• (Compassion - We Listen, We Learn, We Lead| Action - My Accountability, My Responsibility | Respect - Respect Our Resources: People, Time and Money | Everyone - Work Together, Achieve Together).
• Willingness and ability to work across different sites and travel to alternative sites and across the community as required.

Qualifications

Essential

• English Language at O Level / GCSE.
• NVQ / exercise level 3 or equivalent in a relevant area

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience as a Therapy Assistant or exercise trainer

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of basic musculoskeletal anatomy.
• Knowledge of basic mobility function.
• Communication skills.
• Organisation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to deal with older people.
• Persuasive skills.
• Motivation skills
• Computer skills.

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

East Coast Community Healthcare CIC

Address

East Coast Community Healthcare

Magdalen Way

Gorleston

Great Yarmouth

Norfolk

NR31 7BP

Employer's website

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